Fatty acid metabolism, pharmacological nutrients and hypertension.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a concentrated preparation (EPA30) containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA. 20:5 n -3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n -3) on the limiting desaturation steps of the polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Adult SHR were divided into two groups: one group received a standard diet, and the experimental group the standard diet including 0.8% of EPA30 for 9 weeks. Blood pressure was measured at the end of the diets. The desaturase activities and fatty acid composition were determined in isolated hepatocytes. The blood pressure did not decrease in the experimental group. The d…