Conference presentation
Investigation of the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids in a mouse model of abdominal aortic aneurysm
USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2013
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an inflammatory cardiovascular disease that is characterised by destruction of the aortic wall. Mortality rates are high in patients experiencing dissected or ruptured abdominal aorta. Surgical repair reduces mortality, but is limited by a need for regular follow-up and post-surgical complications (Holt et al., 2012). Pharmacological therapy is limited by poor efficacy (Golledge & Norman, 2011), and so new strategies to manage patients with AAA are required. Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs), and their metabolites (e.g. resolvin D1), have anti-inflammatory and/or pro-resolving effects. In contrast, n-6 FAs have pro-inflammatory properties. We hypothesise that ahigh dietary intake of n-3:n-6 FAs may attenuate the progression of inflammatory disease and reduce mortality in AAA. We have investigated this using apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-/-) mice fed a high (HD) or low ratio n-3:n-6 FA diet (LD) for 8 weeks prior to infusion with angiotensin II (1000 ng/kg/min) for 2-14 days (to induce AAA). The n-3:n-6 FA ratio in erythrocyte membranes of HD mice (0.577±0.020 : 1; n=8) was higher than for LD mice (0.105±06 : 1; n=5, P<01). The n-3 index for HD mice (12.94±0.44%, n=8) was higher than for LD mice (2.88±0.17%, n=5, P<01), confirming incorporation of the FAs into membrane phospholipids. HD mice also had a higher plasma concentration of resolvin D1 (743±76 pg/ml, n=9) compared to LD mice (457±60 pg/ml, n=9, P<0.01). Mortality from aortic rupture was 4/20 in HD mice (2 abdominal, 2 thoracic ruptures) and 7/20 in LD mice (7 abdominal, 0 thoracic ruptures). Our study also compares HD and LD mice for structural changes in the aortic wall (e.g. elastin fragmentation, superoxide and peroxynitrite formation). Our findings suggest protection against AAA rupture by dietary supplementation of ApoE-/- mice with feed containing a high ratio of n-3:n-6 FAs.
Details
- Title
- Investigation of the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids in a mouse model of abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Authors
- Fraser D Russell (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2013
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2013 the author.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Biomedicine; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; Centre for Bioinnovation; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99448755602621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
Metrics
4 File views/ downloads
721 Record Views