Dihomo-γ-Linolenic Acid in Patients with Atherosclerosis: Effects on Platelet Aggregation, Plasma Lipids and Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Inhibition of Prostacyclin Generation

Summary

Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DHLA), a precursor of monoenoic anti-aggregatory prostaglandins (PGE₁, PGD₂), was administered for 4 weeks in a daily dose of 1.0 g into 33 patients with atherosclerosis on a basis of a double-blind trial. Comparison of treatment and placebo groups revealed elevation of DHLA in red cell lipids in DHLA-treated subjects. No differences, however, between the two groups could be observed in platelet aggregability, thromboxane A₂ generation by platelets, serum cholesterol, PGE₁ and PGE₂ levels, and in inhibitory activity of low-density lipoproteins against prostacyclin synthetizing system in arteries. The dietary supplementation used did not lead to distinct antithrombotic effects.

Keywords

Atherosclerosis - Platelet aggregation - Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid

• References

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