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Biomedical subjects

H A Skou

Publications and source records attributed to H A Skou.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

C-reactive protein, dietary n-3 fatty acids, and the extent of coronary artery disease.

The acute-phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP) has emerged as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. Experimental and clinical studies provide evidence of anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) derived from fish. We have studied the effect of marine n-3 PUFA on CRP levels in 269 patients referred for coronary angiography because of clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease. All patients filled out a food questionnaire regarding fish intake. The n-3 PUFA content of granulocyte membranes was determined and the concentration of CRP in serum was measured using a highly sensitive assay. The results were related to angiographic findings. CRP was significantly higher in patients with significant coronary stenoses than in those with no significant angiographic changes (p <0.001), but the CRP levels were not associated with the number of diseased vessels. Subjects with CRP levels in the lower quartile had a significantly higher content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in granulocytes than subjects with CRP levels in the upper quartile (p = 0.02), and in a multivariate linear regression analysis, DHA was independently correlated to CRP (R(2) = 0.179; p = 0.003). The inverse correlation between CRP and DHA may reflect an anti-inflammatory effect of DHA in patients with stable coronary artery disease and suggest a novel mechanism by which fish consumption may decrease the risk of coronary artery disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Marine n-3 fatty acids, wine intake, and heart rate variability in patients referred for coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) derived from fish may reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD). In addition, wine drinking is suggested to have a protective effect against cardiovascular death. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 291 patients referred for coronary angiography in whom ischemic heart disease was suspected and all of whom completed a food questionnaire regarding fish and wine intake. The n-3 PUFA composition of granulocyte membranes and of adipose tissue was measured. In addition, 24-hour heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed. Fish intake was positively associated with the level of n-3 PUFAs in adipose tissue. Significant positive correlation coefficients were found between HRV indices and the levels of n-3 PUFAs in granulocytes. Wine intake was also significantly positively related to HRV, but the patients with the highest wine intake also had the highest intake of fish, as documented by a high n-3 PUFA content in adipose tissue. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that traditional factors such as treatment with ss-blockers, smoking, age, and previous myocardial infarction were independently related to HRV, and furthermore that n-3 PUFAs (but not wine intake) were significantly independently associated with HRV. CONCLUSIONS: The close positive association between n-3 PUFAs and HRV in patients suspected of having ischemic heart disease may indicate a protective effect of n-3 PUFAs against SCD. This may partly explain the reduction in SCD observed in humans with a modest intake of n-3 PUFA. Wine intake was also positively correlated with HRV, but this correlation was no longer significant after controlling for the cellular level of n-3 PUFA.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Marine n-3 fatty acids: basic features and background.

There is some evidence from epidemiology that intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from seafood may protect against coronary artery disease (CAD). This hypothesis is further supported from animal data showing a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA on thrombosis and atherosclerosis in animals fed fish oils in most, but not all, studies. There are several mechanisms by which an increased intake of marine n-3 PUFA may protect against CAD; the most universal finding is a reduction of plasma triglycerides. It is puzzling, however, that a very low amount of n-3 PUFA, with no known beneficial biochemical effects, seems to be cardioprotective. It has therefore been of paramount interest to perform clinical trials. Such evidence and trials are discussed in later chapters, and the results have been very encouraging.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Heart rate variability and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) derived from fish may reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD). The aim of the present study was to examine associations between n-3 PUFA and 24-h heart rate variability in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: The out-patient's diabetic clinic at Hjørring Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark. SUBJECTS: Forty-three patients with type 1 DM and 38 patients with type 2 DM. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients fulfilled a food-questionnaire regarding fish consumption, whilst the content of n-3 PUFA in platelets was measured and 24-h heart rate variability (HRV) was obtained. RESULTS: The patients fish consumption was strongly related to their content of n-3 PUFA in platelets. Furthermore, in patients with type 1 DM a close positive association was found between the content of n-3 PUFA in platelets and 24-h HRV. This association was not significant in patients with type 2 DM. CONCLUSIONS: The positive association between n-3 PUFA in platelets and HRV may indicate a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA on HRV in patients with type 1 DM. Further studies are warranted to clarify whether supplementation with n-3 PUFA reduce the risk of SCD amongst patients with DM.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

N-3 fatty acids and cardiac function after myocardial infarction in Denmark.

In order to evaluate the effect of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on systolic left ventricular function, we investigated the effect of daily supplementation with 5.2 g n-3 PUFA for 12 weeks in 55 patients with a recent myocardial infarction in a double blind placebo-controlled design. Left ventricular function was assessed by transthoracal echo-cardiography and plasma concentration of proANP and N-terminal proANP. No effect of n-3 PUFA could be demonstrated on these indices of left ventricular function.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

N-3 fatty acids from fish and coronary artery disease: implications for public health.

OBJECTIVE: To review and discuss the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from fish in the prevention and, primarily, in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). DESIGN: Overview of the literature. SETTING: Denmark. RESULTS: There is good evidence that fish consumption may reduce the risk of CAD. CONCLUSIONS: Fish can be recommended to reduce the risk of CAD both in healthy subjects and in patients with a high risk of CAD or with documented CAD. The use of fish oil concentrates can not be recommended in general, but may be considered in patients after a myocardial infarction or in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia. An increased intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish may have substantial implications for public health and health economy by decreasing the risk of coronary events and sudden cardiac death.

Coronary Disease↗