MiscellaneousEffects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Heart Rate in Cardiac Transplant Recipients†
Section snippets
Methods and Results
We recruited cardiac transplant recipients into 2 separate prospective n-3 FA supplementation studies performed at Mid America Heart Institute Transplant Clinic from 1997 and 2002. In the first study, 27 patients were randomized to 4 capsules/day of a corn oil placebo or Omacor (Reliant Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Liberty Corner, New Jersey). Each capsule of Omacor contained 0.45-g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 0.39-g docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for a total daily intake of EPA plus DHA 3.4 g/day.
Discussion
In an earlier randomized, double-blind, crossover study with patients with coronary artery disease and low ejection fractions, n-3 FA supplementation decreased mean HR by about 5 beats/min.8 A recent meta-analysis also concluded that fish oil consumption can reduce HR.9 There are ≥2 possible explanations for this finding, one cardiogenic and the other neurogenic. The former refers to changes in the myocardium itself and the latter to changes in cardiac autonomic control, with a shift toward
Acknowledgment
We wish to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Kathy St. Clair, RN, for her assistance in this study.
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Immune regulation of poly unsaturated fatty acids and free fatty acid receptor 4
2023, Journal of Nutritional BiochemistryCitation Excerpt :Their studies' morphological and histological findings revealed a significant decline in organ rejection in the rats fed with rat chow supplemented with fish oil (EPA: 28.9%, DHA: 13.7%). Similarly, in the rat heart allotransplant model, graft survival was prolonged after intravenous alimentation with fish oil [149]. T cells, B cells, and their respective cytokines and antibodies play essential roles in mediating antigen-specific rejection and act as effectors, regulatory, or memory cells in the pathogenesis of transplant rejection [152].
Higher omega-3 index is associated with more rapid heart rate recovery in healthy men and women
2020, Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty AcidsCitation Excerpt :Of interest, no measurable change in vagal tone in the n-3 PUFA supplemented group was observed, suggesting a direct effect of n-3 PUFA on the heart. This proposed intrinsic mechanism is supported by the finding that 4–6 months of n-3 PUFA supplementation had a significantly favorable effect on the resting heart rate of 21 cardiac transplant patients, in whom vagal autonomic tone is absent [32]. Some studies regarding omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular outcomes are inconsistent.
Modulation of heart rate and heart rate variability by n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: Speculation on mechanism(s)
2017, Medical HypothesesCitation Excerpt :The mechanism behind this association remains a source of controversy. Common hypotheses are that n-3 LCPUFA intake affect HR and HRV by: i) autonomic modulation [77,78], ii) changes in cardiac electrophysiology [79–81], and/or iii) autonomic modulation of circulating cytokines and catecholamines [1]. These potential mechanisms, along with existing evidence for each, are presented here.
Fish Oil for Physical Performance in Athletes
2016, Fish and Fish Oil in Health and Disease Prevention
This study was supported by a grant from the Saint Luke’s Hospital Foundation, Kansas City, Missouri.
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Disclaimer: Saint Luke’s Hospital holds a minority interest in OmegaMetrix, LLC, Kansas City, Missouri, a company offering blood omega-3 fatty acid testing.