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Updated: May 24, 2026

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
Published on: October 22, 2014
Polyunsaturated fatty acids and peripheral artery disease
S Marlene Grenon1, Millie Hughes-Fulford, Joseph Rapp
1Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA. marlene.grenon@ucsfmedctr.org
Abstract:
There is substantial evidence that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as n-3 and n-6 fatty acids (FAs) play an important role in prevention of atherosclerosis. In vitro and in vivo studies focusing on the interactions between monocytes and endothelial cells have explored the molecular effects of FAs on these interactions. Epidemiological surveys, followed by large, randomized, control trials have demonstrated a reduction in major cardiovascular events with supplementation of n-3 FAs in secondary prevention settings. The evidence of beneficial effects specific to patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) remains elusive, and is the focus of this review.
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