Dietary modification of platelet and renal prostaglandins

The effects of specific types of dietary fats on prostanoid biosynthesis, platelet function and the cardiovascular system are reviewed. Studies examining the influence of dietary modification of prostanoid synthesis on blood pressure regulation in normotensive and Goldblatt hypertensive rats showed that while dietary supplementation with either sunflower or linseed oil at 40% of energy respectively stimulated and inhibited tissue prostanoids in vitro and urinary PGE2 excretion in vivo, the development of 1 kidney, 1 clip hypertension was not altered in parallel. Rats on both oil rich diets did however, show an average lower blood pressure than animals on a standard diet. In order to minimise possible non-specific effects of large amounts of dietary fats, the effects on prostanoid metabolism of different oils at 5, 20 and 40% of energy in the diet were studied. While as little as 5% dietary supplements alter fatty acid and prostanoid synthesis in platelets, it appears that higher levels (at least 20%) are required to alter significantly renal prostaglandin metabolism.