<International Circulation>: We know that omega-3 fatty acids have been around for about 30 years now. Can you tell us about some of the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment?
<International Circulation>: What are the possible mechanisms of these beneficial effects?
《国际循环》这些益处的可能机制是什么呢?
Prof. Davidson: The anti-inflammatory effect and anti-thrombogenic effect appears to be related to the fact that omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the formation of arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid comes from omega-6 fatty acids and giving omega-3 fatty acids you thereby inhibit the conversion of omega-6 fatty acid to arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is involved in increasing inflammation, increasing praregation, that is where aspirin is involved, inhibiting arachidonic acid production of different prostaglandins. Omega-3 fatty acids have the effects of being anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory. On the lipid side, it lowers triglycerides and raises HDL cholesterol and may have direct effects on reducing atherosclerosis through other mechanisms. There is a long list of things that omega-3 fatty acids do, but what has been shown through the data is that eating more foods enriched in omega-3 fatty acids or capsules containing it as a supplement have been shown to reduce cardiovascular adverse events in humans.
Davidson: 教授抗炎和抗血栓形成的作用似乎与ω- 3脂肪酸抑制花生四烯酸的形成有关。花生四烯酸来自ω- 6脂肪酸,给予ω- 3脂肪酸从而抑制ω- 6脂肪酸转化为花生四烯酸。花生四烯酸参与炎症和praregation的增加,即阿司匹林参与的过程,以抑制花生四烯酸生成为不同的前列腺素。ω- 3脂肪酸有抗血栓形成和抗炎的作用。在脂质方面,它降低甘油三酯,升高高密度脂蛋白,可能通过其他的机制对减少动脉粥样硬化有直接的作用。ω- 3脂肪酸对很多物质有作用,但是资料显示食用富含ω- 3脂肪酸的食物或胶囊作为补充已证实可以减少人类心血管不良事件的发生。