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Fish oil supplementation in patients with stable claudication
R O Gans1, H J Bilo, E G Weersink
1Department of Medicine, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
American Journal of Surgery
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Fish oil supplementation improved red blood cell deformability but did not significantly improve walking distance or symptoms in patients with claudication. Short-term fish oil use offers no clinical benefit for stable claudication symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Hemodynamics
Background:
- Patients with claudication often exhibit increased blood viscosity, primarily due to elevated fibrinogen and reduced red blood cell deformability.
- This hemorrheological alteration negatively impacts blood flow, potentially exacerbating claudication symptoms.
- Fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, has shown potential benefits for cardiovascular health, including effects on blood pressure, lipids, and platelet function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of fish oil supplementation on hemorrheology and clinical outcomes in patients with stable claudication.
- To assess whether improved red blood cell deformability translates to enhanced walking distance and reduced symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, double-blind study involving 32 patients with stable claudication.
- Participants received either six capsules of fish oil (1.8 g EPA, 1.2 g DHA) or six capsules of corn oil (3 g linoleic acid) daily for 4 months.
- Evaluated parameters included walking distances, pressure indices (rest and exercise), blood pressure, red blood cell deformability, fibrinogen, and lipid profiles.
Main Results:
- Fish oil supplementation significantly increased red blood cell deformability but did not lead to significant improvements in walking distances or pressure indices.
- No significant changes in fibrinogen levels were observed in either group.
- The fish oil group showed favorable changes in blood lipids, with increased high-density cholesterol and decreased triglycerides. Mean arterial blood pressure decreased similarly in both groups.
Conclusions:
- Short-term fish oil supplementation does not provide clinically significant symptom improvement for patients with stable claudication.
- While fish oil enhances red blood cell deformability, this factor appears to be of minor importance for arterial blood flow in the legs of these patients.
- Further research may be needed to explore long-term effects or different patient populations.