[Frontiers in Bioscience 16, 1833-1843, January 1, 2011]

Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cardiac myocyte protection

Roberto Bei1, Alessandro Frigiola2, Laura Masuelli3, Laura Marzocchella1, Ilaria Tresoldi1, Andrea Modesti1 and Fabio Galvano4

1Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, 2Department of Cardiac Surgery, IRCSS Policlinico, S. Donato, S. Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy, 3Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome, Sapienza, Rome, Italy, 4Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Omega-3 PUFAs metabolism
4. Effects of omega-3 PUFAs on cardiac myocytes
4.1. In vitro effects of omega-3 PUFAs on cardiac myocytes: evidence of omega-3 PUFAs mechanisms of action
4.2. In vivo effects of omega-3 PUFAs in animals infused or fed omega-3 PUFAs
5. Clinical evidence in humans for omega-3 PUFAs cardioprotection
6. Perspective
7. Acknowledgements
8. References

1. ABSTRACT

Many epidemiologic, observational and randomized human clinical trials have demonstrated beyond doubt the protective cardiovascular effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Cardiac myocytes protection by omega-3 PUFAs involves several mechanisms which might have a synergistic effect. This review provides a summary of the in vitro and in vivo effects of omega-3 PUFAs on cardiac myocytes health and reports the outcome of a number of clinical trials in patients consuming omega-3 PUFAs .