Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on the serum lipid profile and microcirculation in patients with metabolic syndrome and hypertensive disease
The aim of the study was to assess effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on clinical manifestations of metabolic syndrome (MS) and microcirculation in patients with arterial hypertension (AH). 22 patients of the 32 with grade 2 AH and MC symptoms (by ATP III criteria) were given 1.5 mg of omega-3 PUFAs for 1 months. The control group comprised 10 patients. Serum lipid profile was detected and forearm skin microcirculation evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry. Therapy with omega-3 PUFAs resulted in a significant decrease of serum triglycerides from 3.04±0.39 to 1.91±0.15 mmol/l (-37.2%). Its combination with hypotensive therapy reduced mean AP from 114.5±2.4 to 106.3±1.8 mm Hg (p < 0.01). Also, omega-3 PUFAs increased amplitude fluctuations in LDF-grams in endothelial and neurogenic ranges by 33.3 and 30.8% respectively, tissue hemoperfusion rate from 4.9±0.13 to 5.3±0.15 U (p < 0.05), capillary blood flow reserve by 13.7% (p < 0.05), maximum tissue hemoperfusion by 18.8% (p < 0.01), and coefficient of variation of tissue blood flow by 26.9%. Blood C-reactive protein level dropped by 40.7%. These changes were absent in control patients. It is concluded that correction of omega-3 PUFAs deficiency in patients with HA and MS reduces hyperlipidemia, has moderate antihypertensive effect, improves endothelial function and microcirculation. Multifunctional action of omega-3 PUFAs gives reason to recommend them for the treatment of MS.