抄録
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is known by its anti-atherogenic and anti-thrombotic properties. This protective character of the fatty acid is usually explained through the shift of prostanoid production toward anti-thrombotic direction including depression of platelet aggregability. Since 1981 we have been reporting the effect of EPA on hemorheology. Because there is a possibility that viscosity of fatty acids themselves may be reflected in membrane fluidity, hence RBC filterability, we measured viscosities of triglycerides and ethylesters of EPA, and other fatty acids. It was found that triglycerides and ethylester of EPA are the less viscous oils than triglycerides and ethylesters containing other fatty acids measured in the experiment, respectively. It is important to prove directly that an increase in EPA content in RBC membrane could increase membrane fluidity.
