Atherosclerosis: EPA and DHA protect endothelial cells from free radicals
The ability of EPA and DHA to counteract atherosclerosis appears to be due, at least in part, to the protective action these fatty acids exert on endothelial cells lining blood vessels, which play essential roles in vascular health. According to the results of a new study, omega-3s may help endothelial cells protect their DNA from oxidative damage caused by free radicals, reducing such damage by nearly 50%.
This discovery, published in the journal PlosOne, was conducted recently by researchers at Fukushima University (Japan).
Omega-3s counter cardiovascular risk
Starting from a famous epidemiological study on Greenland Eskimos conducted in the 1970s, which revealed the correlation between high consumption of fatty fish and low incidence of cardiovascular diseases, numerous studies have shown the broad range of beneficial properties of omega-3s. Omega-3s are able to counteract the rise in blood pressure and inhibit the formation and development of plaques responsible for atherosclerosis, which by blocking arteries can cause heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, consumption of foods or supplements rich in EPA and DHA is recommended to reduce cardiovascular risk, treat hypertriglyceridemia, reduce inflammation, and improve endothelial function. The endothelium is the tissue that lines the inner surface of blood vessels.
It is not merely a simple lining tissue but regulates numerous mechanisms: it plays a central role in regulating blood pressure, thermoregulation, coagulation, inflammation and edema, and controls exchanges between blood and tissues. Endothelial dysfunction is involved in the development of atherosclerosis and is considered one of the earliest symptoms of disease progression. The mechanisms by which EPA and DHA modulate endothelial function are not yet fully understood. Recent studies suggest a link between DNA damage and atherosclerosis. Some research has identified mutations in DNA repair protein genes in patients with certain diseases and early onset atherosclerosis, suggesting a strong association between DNA damage and atherosclerosis.
Numerous agents can damage genetic material, but reactive oxygen species (ROS), known as free radicals, are the most common cause. Therefore, reducing ROS-induced DNA damage may be crucial for the prevention of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases.
EPA and DHA reduce DNA damage by 50%
In the new study, scientists examined the effects of omega-3s on the integrity of chromosomal DNA in human endothelial cells to identify their ability to counteract plaque formation and the possible molecular pathways involved. The researchers assessed the effect of DHA and EPA on endothelial cell damage caused by hydrogen peroxide, discovering that in cells pretreated with EPA and DHA, oxidative damage was reduced by nearly 50%, particularly with fewer DNA breaks.
Moreover, omega-3 treatment decreased activation of a molecule involved in the DNA damage response. These results emphasize that omega-3s can minimize DNA damage independently of the response mechanisms activated within cells. According to the researchers, based on these findings and recent evidence, omega-3s could prevent progression of atherosclerotic plaques and promote plaque stability, partly by inhibiting DNA damage, consequently reducing senescence, cell death, and inflammation. According to Harry Rice, Vice President of the organization for EPA and DHA (GOED), the positive role of omega-3s on cardiovascular health is now established, but the mechanisms remain to be clarified. Similarly, although very interesting, this research does not yet provide conclusive evidence on the protective mechanisms exerted by omega-3s.
