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  • Title: Reduction of blood pressure and plasma triglycerides by omega-3 fatty acids in treated hypertensives.
    Author: Lungershausen YK, Abbey M, Nestel PJ, Howe PR.
    Journal: J Hypertens; 1994 Sep; 12(9):1041-5. PubMed ID: 7852747.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid supplementation on blood pressure and plasma lipids in hypertensives treated with diuretics or beta-blockers. DESIGN: Double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trial consisting of a 4-week run-in phase and two 6-week intervention phases. PATIENTS: A total of 43 patients of either sex taking a beta-blocker only (n = 29), a diuretic only (n = 3) or a beta-blocker plus diuretic (n = 11) for hypertension were recruited from general practice. One patient from the latter group was withdrawn. METHODS: Seated blood pressure was measured every 2 weeks in the clinic with a Dinamap. After the run-in phase, participants were randomly assigned to take a supplement of either Omacor (85% n-3 fatty acid concentrate) or corn oil (four 1-g capsules/day) for 6 weeks, after which they crossed over to the other supplement. Fasted blood samples were taken at the end of each phase for lipid analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The within-individual differences in systolic and diastolic pressure and plasma lipids between Omacor and corn oil treatment. RESULTS: Systolic/diastolic blood pressures measured during the run-in phase were normal (132 +/- 2/76 +/- 1 mmHg, n = 42) but decreased further with n-3 fatty acid supplementation. The mean within-individual difference in blood pressure compared with corn oil supplementation was 3.1 +/- 1.0/1.8 +/- 0.6 mmHg (P < 0.01). This was accompanied by a 21% reduction in plasma triglycerides (P < 0.01) and a 15% increase in high-density lipoprotein-2 cholesterol (P < 0.01) but there were no significant differences in total or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSION: The antihypertensive and hypotriglyceridaemic effects of n-3 fatty acid supplementation seen in the present study suggest that it may be a useful adjunct to antihypertensive therapy with beta-blockers or diuretics.
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