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PubMed1988

Dietary cod-liver oil improves endothelium-dependent responses in hypercholesterolemic and atherosclerotic porcine coronary arteries.

This study examined the effects of dietary supplementation with cod-liver oil on impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations in hypercholesterolemia and in atherosclerosis in porcine coronary arteries. Sixteen male Yorkshire pigs underwent balloon endothelium removal of the left coronary arteries and were fed a 2% high-cholesterol diet for 10 weeks, with or without dietary supplementation of cod-liver oil (30 ml/day) (oil-fed and cholesterol-fed groups, respectively). This model allowed the simultaneous examination of the effects of dietary cod-liver oil on vascular reactivity in hypercholesterolemia alone (right coronary artery) and in atherosclerosis (left coronary artery). After 10 weeks of feeding, the dietary treatment with cod-liver oil caused an increase in plasma levels of eicosapentaenoic acid and a decrease in the plasma levels of arachidonic acid, whereas the treatment had no significant effect on the increases in plasma lipid levels induced by the high-cholesterol feeding. Morphometric analysis showed significant inhibition of coronary atherosclerosis by the treatment. Endothelium-dependent responses were examined in vitro in ring preparations and in bioassay experiments. Endothelium-dependent relaxations to bradykinin, serotonin, and adenosine 5'-diphosphate were larger in both right and left coronary arteries from oil-fed than from cholesterol-fed animals. Aggregating platelets from cholesterol-fed and oil-fed pigs induced comparable, larger endothelium-dependent relaxations in rings from oil-fed than from cholesterol-fed pigs. The contractions induced by serotonin or aggregating platelets were significantly inhibited in rings with endothelium from oil-fed pigs, whereas they were comparable in rings without endothelium in both groups. Relaxations to sodium nitroprusside and contractions to potassium chloride or serotonin were comparable in rings without endothelium in both groups. The bioassay experiments revealed that the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in response to bradykinin and the relaxations of vascular smooth muscle to the endothelial factor were greater after the fish-oil diet. These results indicate that dietary supplementation of cod-liver oil delays the impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxations in hypercholesterolemia and in atherosclerosis, partly because of an improved release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and partly because of an improved relaxation of coronary smooth muscle to the factor.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of sesame and cod liver oils on prostacyclin synthesis by the rat thoracic aorta.

The influence of sesame and cod liver oils (0.5 and 1 g/kg/day s.c. for 2 weeks) on arterial PGI2 synthesis in the rat was investigated using a rat platelet antiaggregatory bioassay and HPLC methods. Smaller doses did not affect PGI2 synthesis. However, sesame oil at a dose of 1 g/kg/day significantly stimulated PGI2 synthesis, whereas cod liver oil at the same dose significantly decreased the synthesis. Incubation of control tissues in presence of exogenous arachidonic acid (33 microM) significantly stimulated PGI2 synthesis, however, incubation of cod liver oil-treated tissues in presence of arachidonic acid resulted in PGI2 synthesis, similar to that observed in the nontreated controls. The changes observed in PGI2 synthesis in the tissues from oil-treated rats may have resulted from modulation in arachidonic acid release and/or direct effects on the enzymes involved in PGI2 synthesis. The oil-induced changes in PGI2 synthesis may partly contribute towards better understanding of the biochemical mechanisms that underly some of the in vivo actions of these oils.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Partial normalization by dietary cod-liver oil of increased microvascular albumin leakage in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes and albuminuria.

In a double-blind crossover study, we compared the effects of eight weeks of dietary supplementation with cod-liver oil with the effects of supplementation with olive oil on endothelial permeability, blood pressure, and plasma lipid levels in 18 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and albuminuria. When the patients received the cod-liver-oil supplement, the mean (+/- SEM) transcapillary escape rate of albumin (as compared with the base-line rate) decreased from 8.7 +/- 0.5 to 6.9 +/- 0.6 percent per hour (P less than 0.01), and the blood pressure decreased from 146 +/- 4/90 +/- 2 mm Hg to 139 +/- 4/85 +/- 2 mm Hg (P less than 0.05). There was no correlation, however, between cod-liver oil's effect on the transcapillary escape rate of albumin and its effect on blood pressure. There was no change from base line after the patients received the olive-oil supplement. During dietary supplementation with cod-liver oil, the plasma concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased and the concentrations of very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides decreased (P less than 0.05 for all comparisons), but the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change. In contrast, during supplementation with olive oil, the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased and the levels of very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride increased (P less than 0.05 for all comparisons), but there was no change in the level of high-density lipoprotein. No changes were observed in the glomerular filtration rate, degree of albuminuria, insulin requirement, glycosylated hemoglobin level, or blood glucose level during supplementation with either oil. We conclude that dietary supplementation with cod-liver oil lowers the elevated transcapillary escape rate of albumin characteristic of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes and albuminuria, independently of its effect on blood pressure--perhaps by decreasing vascular permeability. We did not find any effect of cod-liver oil on urinary albumin excretion.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Use of cod liver oil during pregnancy associated with lower risk of Type I diabetes in the offspring.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: To test whether cod liver oil or vitamin D supplements either taken by the mother during pregnancy or by the child in the first year of life is associated with lower risk of Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in children. METHODS: We carried out a population-based case control study in Vest-Agder county of Norway, evaluating the use of supplements by a mailed questionnaire. We received responses from 85 diabetic subjects and 1,071 control subjects. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: When mothers took cod liver oil during pregnancy their offspring had a lower risk of diabetes. The unadjusted OR was 0.30, 95% CI: (0.12 to 0.75), p = 0.01. This association changed very little and was still significant after adjusting for age, sex, breastfeeding and maternal education. Mothers taking multivitamin supplements during pregnancy [adjusted OR= 1.11, 95% CI: (0.69 to 1.77)], infants taking cod liver oil in the first year of life [adjusted OR = 0.82, 95 % CI: (0.47 to 1.42) and the use of other vitamin D supplements in the first year of life [adjusted OR = 1.27, 95 % CI: (0.70 to 2.31)] was not [corrected] significantly associated with the risk of diabetes. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: We found that cod liver oil taken during pregnancy was associated with reduced risk of Type I diabetes in the offspring. This suggests that vitamin D or the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the cod liver oil, or both, have a protective effect against Type I diabetes.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1984

Effect of dietary cod-liver oil on the lipid composition of human erythrocyte membranes.

The effect of dietary cod-liver oil on factors which characterize membrane lipid fluidity was studied. To six volunteers a daily supplement of 15 ml of cod-liver oil, providing 3 g of omega 3 fatty acids, was given for 2 weeks. Changes induced by the supplement in the fatty acid patterns of the individual erythrocyte phospholipid classes did not occur at the same rate or in the same degree. A rapid incorporation of omega 3 fatty acids in plasma lipids and in erythrocyte phosphatidyl choline, at the expense of linoleic acid, was seen, resulting in increased total unsaturation. A slower and quantitatively smaller incorporation of omega 3 fatty acids in erythrocyte phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine was seen. No change in the fatty acid pattern of sphingomyelin was seen. Withdrawal of the supplement for 2 weeks did partly reverse the cod-liver oil induced changes in erythrocyte phosphatidyl choline, while the changes in erythrocyte phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine lasted. Neither a change in distribution of erythrocyte phospholipid classes, nor in the erythrocyte cholesterol/phospholipid ratio was found. The observed changes in lipid composition are indicative of an increased lipid fluidity.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cod liver oil does not reduce ventricular extrasystoles after myocardial infarction.

Previous work has shown that in experimental animal models a lower incidence of arrhythmias and sudden death was observed if the animals were fed cod liver oil or fish oil. After a 48-h control period starting, on average, 8 days after the onset of symptoms, 18 men who were recovering from acute myocardial infarction were given 20 ml d-1 cod liver oil for 6 weeks, either immediately after the control period, weeks 0-6 (n = 10), or during weeks 6-12 (n = 8). Forty-eight-hour Holter monitoring was carried out before cod liver oil administration and at the end of weeks 6 and 12. The eicosapentaenoic acid content of plasma phospholipids was increased by 230% during cod liver oil administration. However, no significant change was observed in the 24-h prevalence of ventricular extrasystoles or other arrhythmias during the study period. The mean ln number of ventricular extrasystoles was 2.95 +/- 0.51 (+/- SEM) during cod liver oil ingestion and 2.63 +/- 0.30 when not taking cod liver oil.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Effects of dietary lipids on daunomycin-induced nephropathy in mice: comparison between cod liver oil and soybean oil.

Although it is well known that dietary lipids affect the course of glomerulonephritis in rats and humans, the precise mechanisms involved have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of dietary lipids (fish oil and vegetable oil) on daunomycin (DM)-induced nephropathy in mice fed on soybean oil (SO) or cod liver oil (CLO). Urinary protein excretion, serum albumin, creatinine, total cholesterol, and TG were measured, and glomerular histological changes were evaluated. Antioxidant enzymes were also measured, along with the levels of lipid peroxide, GSH, thromboxane (Tx) B2, and 6-keto prostaglandin F1alpha in renal cortical tissue. Dietary CLO significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion and ameliorated the histological changes induced by DM. The increase of tissue lipid peroxide levels seen in SO-fed mice was suppressed in CLO-fed mice, whereas CLO-fed mice showed higher GSH levels than SO-fed mice throughout the experiment. In addition, renal tissue GSH peroxidase activity was significantly higher at 72 h after DM injection in CLO-DM mice than in SO-DM mice. Both renal cortical TxB2 and 6-keto PGF1alpha levels were significantly lower in CLO-DM mice than in SO-DM mice. These results suggest that inhibition of oxidative damage by dietary CLO played an important role in the prevention of DM nephropathy in this mouse model. The effect of CLO was closely associated with the inhibition of Tx synthesis.

Albuminuria↗
PubMed1991

The effect of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) supplementation on hepatic levels of vitamin A and E in ethanol and cod liver oil fed rats.

Eight groups of 5 rats were fed 8 differing liquid diets with and without ethanol, cod liver oil and/or increased levels of vitamin E. Hepatic levels of vitamins A and E were determined following the 28-day feeding time. Ethanol consumption decreased the levels of hepatic vitamin E (p less than 0.05), vitamin A (p less than 0.05) and the ratio of vitamin A/E (p less than 0.05). Hepatic levels of vitamins A and E were unaffected in rats fed cod liver oil. Supplementation of the normal dietary level of 30 IU of vitamin E per kg diet, with an additional 142 IU alpha tocopherol/kg diet, restored hepatic concentrations of vitamin E to normal levels in alcohol-fed rats. The hepatic levels of vitamin A in rats fed ethanol diets supplemented with vitamin E were less than that of control rats but were 4.3 times greater than that of rats on ethanol diets unsupplemented with vitamin E. However, the vitamin A and E ratio was equal to normal in this group of rats. The vitamin A/E ratio was reduced in liver of rats fed non-alcoholic diets supplemented with vitamin E due to increased levels of hepatic vitamin E. Additionally, rats fed cod liver oil diets containing ethanol also indicated decreased hepatic vitamin A and E levels. However, these levels were greater than that of rats fed only alcoholic diets suggesting that these vitamins are replaced by the vitamin A and E content in the cod liver oil.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alcoholism↗
PubMed2001

Cod liver oil consumption, smoking, and coronary heart disease mortality: three counties, Norway.

It has been hypothesized that omega-3 fatty acid consumption may lessen the adverse effect of smoking on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Thus, we explored whether cod liver oil consumption was protective of coronary heart disease in a cohort of men and women participating in a cardiovascular disease screening in Norway. The study population was aged 35-54 at the time of the baseline screening conducted by the National Health Screening Service of Norway in 1977-1983. Of 56,718 age-eligible men and women, 52,138 participated, of whom 42,612 (82%) completed a dietary questionnaire. Cod liver oil use was reported by 12.5%. At baseline, cod liver oil users had lower triglycerides, adjusting for age, body mass index, time since last meal and income (p < or = .05). As of December 1992, 639 and 118 CHD deaths were observed among the men and women, respectively. Overall, we observed no effect of cod liver oil consumption reported at baseline and CHD mortality in Cox Proportional Hazards analyses [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.0 (0.8-1.3)]. In analyses, stratified by smoking status, never smokers and current smokers showed non-significant beneficial associations between cod liver oil use and CHD mortality (HR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.4-1.5; and HR = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.6-1.2, respectively). However, among former smokers a non-significant excess risk of CHD mortality was associated with cod liver oil use (HR = 1.6, 95% CI = 0.9-2.6). Smokers, regardless of their cod liver oil use were at a substantially higher risk for CHD mortality relative to non-smokers. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, as practiced in this cohort, provided no significant benefits to CHD risk among study participants.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Altered physiological responsiveness and decreased cyclic AMP levels in rat atria after dietary cod liver oil supplementation and its possible association with an increased membrane phospholipid n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratio.

Rats were given a cod liver oil supplemented diet and a standard diet for 4 months. The cod liver oil supplementation resulted in a marked increase in the 20:5(n-3) and 22:6(n-3) fatty acids and a marked decrease in the 20:4(n-6) fatty acid in phosphatidylcholine and ethanolamine of the atrial membrane. Atria from the cod liver oil treated rats showed a marked decrease in contractile force, heart rate and cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels under basal conditions. Stimulation with noradrenaline (1 X 10(-6) M) during high oxygen saturation and reoxygenation resulted in an equal increase in the mechanical responses of the two groups in spite of the significantly different levels of cAMP, whereas in hypoxia, both the cAMP level and the contractile force were significantly lower in the cod liver oil treated group. These results indicate that changes in the fatty acid composition of heart membrane phospholipids is associated with changes in adenylate cyclase activity and physiological function of the rat heart and that an increase in the n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratio in membrane phospholipids of the heart results, when oxygen is abundant in enhanced cAMP-independent contractile activity.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed2003

Change in levels of persistent organic pollutants in human plasma after consumption of a traditional northern Norwegian fish dish-mølje (cod, cod liver, cod liver oil and hard roe).

The traditional northern Norwegian fish dish "mølje", consisting of boiled cod, cod liver, cod liver oil and hard roe, is still consumed frequently during the winter months January to March. The liver of the cod is rich in lipids and the levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are relatively high. To better understand the short-term consequences of this traditional meal on the plasma levels of PCBs and p,p'-DDE, individual intake of liver and cod liver oil during one meal was measured. Blood samples were collected from 33 participants before the meal, and then 4 h, 12 h and 5 days after it. Lipid-weight and wet-weight levels of 10 PCB congeners and p,p'-DDE were determined in the plasma samples and the food. The plasma levels of p,p'-DDE was found to increase significantly from 0 to 4 h, both when expressed as wet-weight (35% change) and lipid-weight (20% change). The corresponding changes (0-4 h) in wet-weight levels of the most prevalent PCB congeners were non significant. By contrast, PCB congeners with low levels in the food showed a significant drop in lipid-weight levels during the first 4 h. The observed changes were independent of amount consumed. Significant differences in fasting and non-fasting samples were found for most PCBs and p,p'-DDE. For the lipid weight levels of sum PCBs there was a significant decrease of 16% from non-fasting to fasting samples. To obtain reliable data on human levels of POPs it is, on the basis of these findings, recommended that blood samples should be collected from fasting individuals and both wet-weight and lipid-weight levels should be reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Influence of dietary cod liver oil on fatty acid composition of plasma lipids in human male subjects after myocardial infarction.

A randomized crossover study was carried out to investigate the fatty acid profile and concentrations of plasma lipids in male patients with myocardial infarction (MI) who supplemented their diet with 20 ml cod liver oil daily for 6 weeks. Subjects were divided into two groups, A and B. Group A received cod liver oil daily for 6 weeks after hospital discharge, but none for the subsequent 6 weeks. Group B did not start taking cod liver oil until 6 weeks after hospital discharge, and they then took cod liver oil for 6 weeks. Diet, medication or smoking habits were kept as constant as possible during the study. During the period of cod liver oil intake, eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 (n-3), EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 (n-3), DHA) increased significantly in phospholipids (PL), triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol esters (CE), whereas linoleic acid (18:2 (n-6), LA), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (20:3 (n-6), DHGLA) and arachidonic acid (20:4 (n-6), AA) were significantly decreased in phospholipids. The plasma level of TG was significantly decreased during the cod liver oil intake. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and levels of apolipoproteins A1 and B were not affected by cod liver oil in these MI patients.

Apolipoproteins↗
PubMed2006

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet and breast milk of lactating icelandic women with traditional fish and cod liver oil consumption.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the diet and breast milk of lactating women with traditional fish and cod liver oil consumption was investigated under free-living conditions. METHODS: Dietary intake of 77 lactating women was investigated by 24-hour recalls and breast milk samples were taken at the same occasions. Maternal intake data was calculated and fatty acid pattern from breast milk samples analyzed with gas chromatography. RESULTS: Women using cod liver oil (n = 18) had a significantly higher total PUFA intake (14 +/- 10 vs. 9 +/- 7 g/day; 5.0 +/- 3.4 vs. 3.9 +/- 3.0 Energy%; p < 0.05) than women who did not use it (n = 59). In particular, mothers consuming cod liver oil had higher breast milk proportion of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 0.54 vs. 0.30%, p < 0.05). They also had higher breast milk proportions of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 0.16 vs.0.07%; p < 0.05) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; 0.22 vs. 0.17%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The proportion of PUFA in the diet is significantly higher among women consuming cod liver oil. Its use also gives higher proportion of EPA,DPA and DHA in breast milk without decreasing other important fatty acids. As this may have an impact on the health and development of breast-fed infants in later life, regular maternal cod liver oil intake could be relevant for the infant as well as for the nutritional adequacy of the maternal diet.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1986

Effects of cod-liver oil on intimal hyperplasia in vein grafts used for arterial bypass.

Cod-liver oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation. To determine the effect of this acid on vein-graft intimal hyperplasia, 46 segments of undistended external jugular vein were interposed between the bilaterally divided femoral arteries of 26 mongrel dogs. The animals received a 2% cholesterol diet for 1 week before and 6 weeks after the operation. Eight control animals received the diet alone, eight received cod-liver oil containing 1.8 g of eicosapentaenoic acid daily, for 1 week before and 6 weeks after operation, and seven animals received 1.8 g of eicosapentaenoic acid daily for 6 weeks after operation. Intimal thickness was measured at 6 weeks with a Zeiss computerized interactive image analysing system from multiple cross-sections of vein graft; 395 +/- 10 measurements were made from each graft. The intima measured 4 +/- 0.2 micron (SEM) before implantation and increased to 83 +/- 10 micron in the controls. Eicosapentaenoic acid administered before and after operation reduced intimal hyperplasia to 24 +/- 2.5 micron (p less than 0.001) and to 30 +/- 5 micron in animals receiving eicosapentaenoic acid after operation only (p less than 0.001). These results indicate that the acid inhibits intimal hyperplasia of canine vein grafts but that it is more effective when given before operation (p less than 0.01).

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Use of cod liver oil during the first year of life is associated with lower risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes: a large, population-based, case-control study.

BACKGROUND: In Norway, cod liver oil is an important source of dietary vitamin D and the long-chain n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, all of which have biological properties of potential relevance for the prevention of type 1 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to investigate whether the use of dietary cod liver oil or other vitamin D supplements, either by the mother during pregnancy or by the child during the first year of life, is associated with a lower risk of type 1 diabetes among children. DESIGN: We designed a nationwide case-control study in Norway with 545 cases of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes and 1668 population control subjects. Families were contacted by mail, and they completed a questionnaire on the frequency of use of cod liver oil and other vitamin D supplements and other relevant factors. RESULTS: Use of cod liver oil in the first year of life was associated with a significantly lower risk of type 1 diabetes (adjusted odds ratio: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.99). Use of other vitamin D supplements during the first year of life and maternal use of cod liver oil or other vitamin D supplements during pregnancy were not associated with type 1 diabetes. CONCLUSION: Cod liver oil may reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes, perhaps through the antiinflammatory effects of long-chain n-3 fatty acids.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2001

Fat-soluble vitamins in the maternal diet, influence of cod liver oil supplementation and impact of the maternal diet on human milk composition.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate lactating mothers' intake of fat-soluble vitamins in free-living subjects and to what extent cod liver oil supplementation influences the maternal intake in a population with common intake of cod liver oil. The impact of maternal diet on the concentration of fat-soluble vitamins in human milk was studied. METHODS: Dietary intake of 77 lactating women was investigated by 24-hour diet recalls and breast-milk samples were taken at the same occasions. Breast milk samples were analyzed for fat-soluble vitamins. RESULTS: The median intakes were 927 microg/day for vitamin A, 5.5 mg/day for vitamin E and 3.3 microg/day for vitamin D. Maternal vitamin A, E and D intakes were higher when the diet was supplemented with cod liver oil. Icelandic breast milk was found to have high contents of vitamin A and E. Only vitamin D was too low in breast milk to meet the recommended intake for infants. Retinylpalmitate in relation to lipids correlated with maternal vitamin A intake (r = 0.23, p < 0.05). The group with cod liver oil supplementation had significantly lower levels of gamma-tocopherol in breast milk (p < 0.01), whereas the supplementation did not affect other fat-soluble vitamins. CONCLUSION: The recommended intake of fat-soluble vitamins for lactating women can more easily be met with a cod liver oil supplementation than diet alone. Only vitamin D in human milk cannot meet the recommended intakes for infants, with normal breastfeeding. There is a relationship between the content of vitamins A and E in human milk and the maternal diet.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Cod-liver oil in the prevention of intimal hyperplasia in autogenous vein grafts used for arterial bypass.

Cod-liver oil, rich in eicosapentaenoic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, was administered to 14 mongrel dogs to determine if this acid would prevent platelet-mediated intimal hyperplasia. Twenty-eight 1 cm segments of undistended jugular vein were interposed between bilaterally divided femoral arteries. Seven control animals were fed a 2% cholesterol diet 1 week before and for 6 weeks after the operation. A further seven animals received cod-liver oil capsules containing 1.8 gm of eicosapentaenoic acid daily 1 week before and for 6 weeks after autogenous vein implantation, in addition to the lipid-supplemented diet. Baseline serum cholesterol was 4.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/L. The rise in serum cholesterol was similar in the two groups and increased to 7.4 +/- 0.6 mmol/L (control group) and to 6.8 +/- 0.2 mmol/L (eicosapentaenoic acid group) (p less than 0.001). Prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, bleeding time, and platelet counts were unchanged in the two groups. Vein grafts, harvested at 6 weeks, were fixed in formaldehyde. Mean intimal thickness was measured from multiple vein graft cross sections with a Zeiss computerized interactive image analyzing system. A mean of 140 +/- 11 measurements were computed from each graft. Marked intimal hyperplasia occurred in the control group and increased from 4.3 +/- 0.3 to 86.4 +/- 14 micron. In contrast, a high eicosapentaenoic acid diet inhibited intimal hyperplasia, with intimal thickness only increasing from 4.0 +/- 0.4 to 24.8 +/- 2.7 micron (p less than 0.001). These data indicate that eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits platelet-mediated intimal hyperplasia and suggest that cod-liver oil could be used to prevent intimal hyperplasia in vein grafts used for myocardial revascularization.

Animals↗