The relation of red blood cell fatty acids with vascular stiffness, cardiac structure and left ventricular function: The Framingham Heart Study

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids have been associated with beneficial influences on cardiovascular health. However, the underlying mechanisms are not clear, and data on the relations of polyunsaturated fatty acids to subclinical disease measures such as vascular stiffness and cardiac function are sparse and inconclusive. In a large community-based cohort, we examined the relations of omega-3 and other fatty acids to a comprehensive panel of vascular function measures (assessing microvascular function and large artery stiffness), cardiac structure and left ventricular function. Red blood cell (RBC) membrane fatty acid composition, a measure of long-term fatty acid intake, was assessed in participants of the Framingham Offspring Study and Omni cohorts and related to tonometry-derived measures of vascular stiffness and to a panel of echocardiographic traits using partial correlations. Up to n=3055 individuals (56% women, mean age 66 years) were available for analyses. In age-and sex-adjusted models, higher RBC omega-3 content was moderately associated (p≤0.002) with several measures of vascular stiffness and function in a protective direction. However, after multivariable adjustment, only an association of higher RBC omega-3 content with lower carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (a measure of aortic stiffness) remained significant (r = -0.06, p=0.002). In secondary analyses, higher linoleic acid, the major nutritional omega-6 fatty acid, was associated with smaller left atrial size, even after multivariable adjustment (r = -0.064, p<0.001). In conclusion, in our cross-sectional community-based study, we found several associations consistent with the notion of protective effects of omega-3 and linoleic acid. The clinical significance of these modest associations remains to be elucidated.

Long Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Improve Vascular Stiffness in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In this study, twelve-week supplementation with LC n-3 PUFAs (1.5 g DHA, 0.3 g EPA delivering a total of 1.8 g LC n-3 PUFAs per day) significantly decreased PWV in patients with AAA. This finding is consistent with a large community-based study involving similarly aged individuals without AAA [33]. In that study, carotid-femoral PWV was assessed in a cohort of adults with multiple co-morbidities (n = 3055, mean age 66 ± 9 years).…”

Red blood cells release microparticles containing human argonaute 2 and miRNAs to target genes of Plasmodium falciparum

“…Our results confirm the localization of miR-451 in parasites ( Figure 3B ), which is consistent with the findings of recent studies. 16 , 28 Thus, hAgo2 complexes with abundant hmiRNAs in the parasites, indicating a functional involvement in parasite development during the blood stage.…”

Changes in the Fatty Acid Profile and Phospholipid Molecular Species Composition of Human Erythrocyte Membranes after Hybrid Palm and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Supplementation

“…In fact, higher levels of C18:2 ω6 in the erythrocytes have been correlated to lower values of C-reactive protein, a cardiovascular risk marker, as well as to a reduced risk of developing atrial fibrillation. 35,36 Finally, to evaluate the effect of oil supplementation on erythrocyte membrane fluidity, an innovative risk marker, such as the lipophilic index, was investigated. As a result, the increase in erythrocyte FA of MUFA content accompanied by a decrease in the level of SFA (mainly in the EVOO group) with a general reduction in the saturation grade of cell membranes was also confirmed by a reduction of the erythrocyte lipophilic index, which was significant (P < 0.01) for patients treated with HPO or EVOO.…”

“…This result could be considered one of the positive effects of both oil supplementations. In fact, higher levels of C18:2 ω6 in the erythrocytes have been correlated to lower values of C-reactive protein, a cardiovascular risk marker, as well as to a reduced risk of developing atrial fibrillation. , …”