Abstract
The aim of this report is to investigate the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexenoic acid (DHA) on hemostasis, blood lipids and fatty acid composition of plasma and platelet. Twelve volunteers were subjected to the cross-over study comparing the effect of EPA with that of DHA. They were divided into 2 groups: group A (mean age, 64.5 years) in which EPA 2g/day was given for 4 weeks and after 4 weeks off treatment, DHA was given for the subsequent 4 weeks and group B (mean age, 62.5 years) in which DHA was given first followed by EPA treatment. Significant decrease in platelet aggregation was observed following the treatment with 2g of DHA, but platelet aggregation tended to increase after the treatment with 2g of EPA. Platelet aggregation tended to decrease following the treatment with 2g of EPA, but it was increased after the treatment with 2g of DHA. The ratio, (EPA+DHA)/arachidonic acid, in both plasma and platelets was increased after EPA treatment, but there was no consistent change of the ratio after DHA treatment. DHA thus appears to be more potent than EPA in inhibiting platelet aggregation. However, this inhibitory effect was blunted by the prior administration of EPA or DHA.
