A low ratio of n-3 to n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids has been associated with cardiovascular
events. However, the effects of this ratio on coronary atherosclerosis have not been
fully examined. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the correlations
between the n-3 to n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio and coronary atherosclerosis.
Coronary atherosclerosis in nonculprit lesions in the percutaneous coronary intervention
vessel was evaluated using virtual histology intravascular ultrasound in 101 patients
at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention and 8 months after statin therapy.
Forty-six patients (46%) showed atheroma progression and the remaining 55 patients
(54%) showed atheroma regression at 8-month follow-up. Significant negative correlations
were observed between percentage change in plaque volume and change in the eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA)/arachidonic acid (AA) ratio (r = −0.190, p = 0.05), docosahexaenoic acid
(DHA)/AA ratio (r = −0.231, p = 0.02), and EPA+DHA/AA ratio (r = −0.240, p = 0.02).
Furthermore, percentage change in the fibrous component volume was negatively and
significantly correlated with change in the EPA/AA ratio (r = −0.206, p = 0.04) and
EPA+DHA/AA ratio (r = −0.217, p = 0.03). Multivariate regression analysis showed that
change in the EPA+DHA/AA ratio was a significant predictor of percentage change in
plaque volume and fibrous component volume (β = −0.221, p = 0.02, and β = −0.200,
p = 0.04, respectively). In conclusion, decreases in serum n-3 to n-6 polyunsaturated
fatty acid ratios are associated with progression in coronary atherosclerosis evaluated
using virtual histology intravascular ultrasound in statin-treated patients with coronary
artery disease.
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to American Journal of CardiologyAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- Effect of intensive statin therapy on regression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a multicenter randomized trial evaluated by volumetric intravascular ultrasound using pitavastatin versus atorvastatin (JAPAN-ACS [Japan Assessment of Pitavastatin and Atorvastatin in Acute Coronary Syndrome] study).J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009; 54: 293-302
- An HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, cerivastatin, suppresses growth of macrophages expressing matrix metalloproteinases and tissue factor in vivo and in vitro.Circulation. 2001; 103: 276-283
- Intensive lipid lowering with atorvastatin in patients with stable coronary disease.N Engl J Med. 2005; 352: 1425-1435
- Intake of fish and n3 fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease among Japanese: the Japan Public Health Center-Based (JPHC) Study Cohort I.Circulation. 2006; 113: 195-202
- Cardiac benefits of fish consumption may depend on the type of fish meal consumed: the Cardiovascular Health Study.Circulation. 2003; 107: 1372-1377
- Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on major coronary events in hypercholesterolaemic patients (JELIS): a randomised open-label, blinded endpoint analysis.Lancet. 2007; 369: 1090-1098
- Fish oil-derived fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid, and the risk of acute coronary events: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor study.Circulation. 2000; 102: 2677-2679
- Statin treatment for coronary artery plaque composition based on intravascular ultrasound radiofrequency data analysis.Am Heart J. 2012; 163: 191-199
- American College of Cardiology clinical expert consensus document on standards for acquisition, measurement and reporting of intravascular ultrasound studies (IVUS). A report of the American College of Cardiology Task Force on Clinical Expert Consensus Documents.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001; 37: 1478-1492
- Relation between individual plaque components and overall plaque burden in the prospective, multicenter virtual histology intravascular ultrasound registry.Am J Cardiol. 2009; 104: 501-506
- Comparison of arterial remodeling and changes in plaque composition between patients with progression versus regression of coronary atherosclerosis during statin therapy (from the TRUTH study).Am J Cardiol. 2012; 109: 1247-1253
- Prophylaxis of atherosclerosis with marine omega-3 fatty acids. A comprehensive strategy.Ann Intern Med. 1987; 107: 890-899
- N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation: from molecular biology to the clinic.Lipids. 2003; 38: 343-352
- n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation, and inflammatory diseases.Am J Clin Nutr. 2006; 83: 1505S-1519S
- Dietary eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid from fish oil. Their incorporation into advanced human atherosclerotic plaques.Arterioscler Thromb. 1991; 11: 903-911
- Association of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with stability of atherosclerotic plaques: a randomised controlled trial.Lancet. 2003; 361: 477-485
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from highly concentrated n-3 fatty acid ethyl esters is incorporated into advanced atherosclerotic plaques and higher plaque EPA is associated with decreased plaque inflammation and increased stability.Atherosclerosis. 2010; 212: 252-259
- Effects of diet and simvastatin on fatty acid composition in hypercholesterolemic men: a randomized controlled trial.Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2005; 25: 1952-1959
- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and cardiovascular diseases.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009; 54: 585-594
- Effects of EPA on coronary artery disease in hypercholesterolemic patients with multiple risk factors: sub-analysis of primary prevention cases from the Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study (JELIS).Atherosclerosis. 2008; 200: 135-140
- n-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction.N Engl J Med. 2010; 363: 2015-2026
- Endogenous pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators: a new pharmacologic genus.Br J Pharmacol. 2008; 153: S200-S215
- Eicosapentaenoic acid increases cytochrome P-450 2J2 gene expression and epoxyeicosatrienoic acid production via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ in endothelial cells.J Cardiol. 2009; 54: 368-374
- n-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: evidence explained and mechanisms explored.Clin Sci (Lond). 2004; 107: 1-11
- Fish consumption, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular disease.Circulation. 2002; 106: 2747-2757
- Orally administered eicosapentaenoic acid reduces and stabilizes atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-deficient mice.Atherosclerosis. 2008; 197: 524-533
- Relationship between coronary plaque vulnerability and serum n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio.Circ J. 2011; 75: 2432-2438
- Impact of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on coronary plaque instability: an integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound study.Atherosclerosis. 2011; 218: 110-116
- Replacement of margarine on bread by rapeseed and olive oils: effects on plasma fatty acid composition and serum cholesterol.Ann Nutr Metab. 1993; 37: 161-174
Article Info
Publication History
Published online: October 04, 2012
Accepted:
August 27,
2012
Received in revised form:
August 27,
2012
Received:
July 23,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
