Biological Effects of ω-3 Fatty Acids in Diabetes Mellitus
- Toree H Malasanos, MD and
- Peter W Stacpoole, PhD, MD
- The University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Growth and Development San Antonio, Texas Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology Metabolism Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, College of Medicine Gainesville, Florida
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Toree Malasanos, MD, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Growth and Development, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78284.
Abstract
Fish oils exert important biological effects on several pathways predisposing to atherosclerosis. Epidemiological studies provided the initial evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may be the principal factor in fish oils responsible for these effects and have led to several short-term clinical trials in which fish-oil concentrates have been administered to various populations at risk for coronary heart disease, including patients with diabetes mellitus. omega-3 Fatty acids reduce serum lipids and lipoproteins, impair platelet aggregation, increase cell membrane fluidity, and lower blood pressure in humans. In this review, we highlight these and other potentially antiatherogenic properties of marine lipids in diabetic subjects.
- Copyright © 1991 by the American Diabetes Association
