Atherosclerosis Research Papers

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Introduction
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for people in the United States.1 In 2010, CVD accounted for 31.9% of all 2,468,435 deaths (1 in every 3 deaths) in the United States, and 34% of those deaths occurred before the age of 75 years.1 Moreover, the economic burden of CVD is the greatest because its estimated cost, including medical costs and loss of productivity, was $315.4 billion in 2010.1 Atherosclerosis—the thickening and hardening of arteries—remains the leading cause of cardiovascular complications, including coronary heart disease, carotid artery disease, angina, and myocardial infarction (heart attack).2 Atherosclerosis has a complex pathology, and its cause is still unknown; however, it involves several …show more content…

All the subjects had similar risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, LDL, triglycerides, and cigarette smoking. American Japanese men were included in the study to rule out any genetic factors. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid artery and coronary artery calcification (CAC), both independent predictors of CVD, and serum lipid levels were evaluated to measure each individual’s degree of atherosclerosis. Study results showed that Japanese men had higher levels of marine-derived n-3 fatty acids in their serum lipid levels than did Japanese-American and white men (9.2% compared with 4.8% and 3.9%, respectively). In addition, there was a significant mean difference in both IMT and CAC prevalence values between Japanese men and white men, even after adjusting for potential CVD risk factors (IMT mean difference 39 µm, 95% confidence interval (CI): 21 to 57 µm, p < 0.001. CAC prevalence mean difference 10.7%, 95% CI: 2.9% to 18.4%, p = 0.007). Japanese American men had greater IMT prevalence and similar levels of CAC compared with white men (IMT: 70 µm vs. 60 µm, p < 0.001 and CAC prevalence: 26.6% vs. 21.1%, p = …show more content…

The underlying mechanisms and the two studies have shown some protective effect. The anti-inflammatory properties of n-3 PUFAs might contribute to reducing or preventing the occurrence of atherosclerosis, whereas their effect on reducing platelet aggregation through competing with AA for incorporation in PL may lower the risk for heart attack and stroke. The results of the Japanese study show an inverse association between the plasma n-3 PUFAs and the atherosclerosis (IMT and CAC) independent of genetic factor, whereas the findings of the blinded placebo controlled study indicate a gender-specific response in reducing platelet aggregation following a single dose of EPA or DHA oils, implying a possible antithrombotic effect of n-3 PUFAs. Unlike other studies concerning the effects of EPA and DHA supplementation that provide conflicting results due to testing mixed gender groups, the strength of a blind placebo-controlled trial resides in its ability to point out that there is a gender-specific platelet aggregation response to DHA and EPA. This may suggest sex hormones influence on circulating EPA and DHA and possible related anti-aggregation

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