Inhibition of collagen‐mediated platelet reactivity in response to high doses of polyunsaturated omega‐3 fatty acids

Abstract

Polyunsaturated omega‐3 fatty acids (POM‐3 FAs) derived from oily fish have long been associated with cardioprotective benefits. We therefore hypothesized that treatment with POM‐3 ethyl esters would decrease platelet reactivity. Since our previous studies demonstrated that collagen‐induced platelet aggregation was inhibited after POM‐3 ethyl ester treatment, we examined their effects on collagen‐mediated platelet integrin activation, granule secretion, and thrombogenic activity. Blood was drawn from 15 healthy volunteers before and after 4 weeks of 4 g/d of POM‐3 ethyl esters, and platelet membrane POM‐3 FA incorporation showed an average increase of 85% after treatment. Flow cytometry revealed a significant decrease in collagen‐induced integrin activation and phosphotidylserine exposure after treatment. These results suggest that at least two major platelet contributions to thrombosis and hemostasis are inhibited by POM‐3 treatment. Further, subjects that showed reductions in platelet reactivity after treatment also demonstrated reduced collagen‐mediated protein phosphorylation, strongly suggesting that platelet signal transduction is disrupted after POM‐3 FA incorporation. Research was supported by funds from the NIH and GlaxoSmithKline.