Marine lipids and coronary angioplasty. Benefit or risk

More than 10 years ago Dyerberg and Bang first reported a lower incidence of coronary disease in the Greenland Eskimos. This finding was attributed to their diet, which was rich in fat from whale, fish, and seals. Further analysis revealed that the Eskimos had lower levels of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride and high plasma concentrations of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, are part of the omega-3 fatty acid family. The effects of these fatty acids on serum cholesterol and platelet function have been the basis of extensive investigation. Most recently, studies have been conducted on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on patients undergoing coronary angioplasty to determine if omega-3 fatty acid's effect on platelet function might decrease the high restenosis after coronary angioplasty. However, the results of these trials remain controversial. This article presents an overview of marine lipid research and its role in the treatment of coronary disease.