The effects of dietary 18:3n − 3 on the fatty acid
composition of plasma, red blood cells, aorta,
platelets, plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and platelet response to
collagen-induced aggregation
in swine was investigated. Pigs (n = 25) were fed
diets containing 18:3n − 3 at 0% (control),
1.5%
(LNA1), 2.5% (LNA2), and 3.6% (LNA3). Dietary 18:3n
− 3 resulted in a significant (P < 0.05)
enrichment of 18:3n − 3, 20:5n − 3, and
22:5n − 3 in plasma, red blood cells, aorta, platelet
neutral,
and phospholipids with a concomitant reduction in 20:4n −
6 (P < 0.05). Dietary 18:3n − 3 did
not
alter the plasma cholesterol concentration or 22:6n − 3
fatty acid in any of the tissues examined.
However, plasma triglyceride concentration was reduced
significantly (P < 0.05) in pigs receiving
LNA1, LNA2, and LNA3 diets when compared with the pigs receiving the
control diet. Platelet
aggregation induced by collagen was significantly higher (P
< 0.05) in the control group when
compared with LNA2 and LNA3 diets, respectively.
Keywords: Pig; 18:3n − 3; 20:5n − 3; blood;
aorta; platelet; platelet aggregation