Download PDF
Thromb Haemost 1994; 72(04): 557-562
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1648914
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Both Fish Oil and Olive Oil Lowered Plasma Fibrinogen in Women with High Baseline Fibrinogen Levels

W Oosthuizen
1   The Nutrition Research Group, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, Potchefstroom, South Africa
,
H H Vorster
1   The Nutrition Research Group, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, Potchefstroom, South Africa
,
J C Jerling
1   The Nutrition Research Group, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, Potchefstroom, South Africa
,
H C Barnard
2   Department of Chemical Pathology, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
,
C M Smuts
3   National Research Program for Nutritional Intervention, Tygerberg, South Africa
,
N Silvis
1   The Nutrition Research Group, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, Potchefstroom, South Africa
,
A Kruger
1   The Nutrition Research Group, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, Potchefstroom, South Africa
,
C S Venter
1   The Nutrition Research Group, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, Potchefstroom, South Africa
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 24 January 1994

Accepted after resubmission 29 June 1994

Publication Date:
06 July 2018 (online)

  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Summary

This double-blind, cross-over study with olive oil as placebo, examined the effect of a daily dosage of 6 g fish oil on cardiovascular risk markers of 20 healthy young volunteers (10 men, 10 women). Serum lipids and lipoproteins, and plasma coagulation and fibrinolytic enzymes, including fibrinogen concentrations and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity were measured at baseline and after 6-week supplementation of either fish or olive oil. The results showed that fish oil had an independent lowering effect on triglycerides and coagulation factors Vc and VIIc. Both fish and olive oil significantly raised PAI-1 levels and lowered plasma factor Xc and fibrinogen levels in the women, who had higher initial levels than the men. Mean fibrinogen levels of the women were lowered from 3.23 ± 0.98 to 2.64 ± 0.55 g/1 and from 3.19 ± 0.72 to 2.66 ± 0.49 g/1 by fish and olive oil respectively. This study raises the question whether a particular fatty acid or group of fatty acids, or another constituent of the oil such as vitamin E may be responsible for the fibrinogen lowering effect.

 

  • References

  • Dyerberg J, Bang HO. Haemostatic function and platelet polyunsaturated fatty acids in Eskimos. Lancet 1979; 2: 433-435
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Hirai A, Hamazaki T, Terano T, Nishikawa T, Tamura Y, Kumagai A. Eicosapentaenoic acid and platelet function in Japanese. Lancet 1980; 2: 1132-1133
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Harris WS. Fish oils and plasma lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in humans: a critical review. J Lipid Res 1989; 30: 785-807
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Von Schacky C, Fisher S, Weber PC. Long-term effects of dietary marine ω-3 fatty acids upon plasma and cellular lipids, platelet function, and eicosanoid formation in humans. J Clin Invest 1985; 76: 1626-1631
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Terano T, Hirai A, Hamazaki T, Kobayashi S, Fujita T, Tamura Y, Kumagai A. Effect of oral administration of highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid on platelet function, blood viscosity and red cell deformability in healthy human subjects. Atherosclerosis 1983; 46: 321-331
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Kannel WB, Wolf PA, Castelli WP, D’Agostino RB. Fibrinogen and risk of cardiovascular diseae: The Framingham Study. JAMA 1987; 258: 1183-1186
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Meade TW, Mellows S, Brozovic M, Miller GJ, Chakrabarti RR, North WRS, Haines AP, Stirling Y, Imeson JD, Thompson SG. Haemostatic function and ischaemic heart disease: principal results of the Northwick Park Heart Study. Lancet 1986; 2: 533-537
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Cook NS, Ubben D. Fibrinogen as a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease. TIPS 1990; 11: 444-451
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Flaten H, Høstmark AT, Kierulf P, Lystad E, Trygg K, Bjerkedal T, Osland A. Fish-oil concentrate: effects on variables related to cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr 1990; 52: 300-306
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Høstmark AT, Bjerkedal T, Kierulf P, Flaten H, Ulshagen K. Fish oil and plasma fibrinogen. Br Med J 1988; 297: 180-181
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Radack K, Deck C, Huster G. Dietary supplementation with low-dose fish oils lowers fibrinogen levels: A randomized, double-blind controlled study. Ann Intern Med 1989; 111: 757-758
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Radack K, Deck C, Huster G. The comparative effects of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on plasma fibrinogen levels: A controlled clinical trial in hypertriglyceridemic subjects. J Am Coll Nutr 1990; 9: 352-357
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Saynor R, Gillott T. Fish oil and plasma fibrinogen. Br Med J 1988; 297: 1196
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Brown AJ, Roberts DCK. Fish and fish oil intake: effect on haematological variables related to cardiovascular disease. Thromb Res 1991; 64: 169-178
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Emeis JJ, Van Houwelingen AC, Van Den Hoogen CM, Homstra G. A moderate fish intake increases plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 in human volunteers. Blood 1989; 74: 233-237
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Haglund O, Wallin R, Luostarinen R, Saldeen T. Effects of a new fluid fish oil concentrate, ESKIMO-3, on triglycerides, cholesterol, fibrinogen and blood pressure. J Intern Med 1990; 227: 347-353
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Hendra TJ, Britton ME, Roper DR, Wagaine-Twabwe D, Jeremy JY, Dandona P, Haines AP, Yudkin JS. Effects of fish oil supplements in NIDDM subjects. Controlled study. Diabetes Care 1990; 13: 821-829
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Lox CD. The effect of dietary marine fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids) on coagulation profiles in men. Gen Pharmac 1990; 21: 241-246
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Muller AD, Van Houwelingen AC, Van Dam-Mieras MCE, Bas BM, Horn-stra G. Effects of a moderate fish intake on haemostatic parameters in healthy males. Thromb Haemost 1989; 61: 468-473
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Norris PG, Jones CJH, Weston MJ. Effect of dietary supplementation with fish oil on systolic blood pressure in mild essential hypertension. Br Med J 1986; 293: 104-105
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Rogers S, James KS, Butland BK, Etherington MD, O’Brien JR, Jones JG. Effects of a fish oil supplement on serum lipids, blood pressure, bleeding time, haemostatic and rheological variables. Atherosclerosis 1987; 63: 137-143
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Haines AP, Sanders TAB, Imeson JD, Mahler RF, Martin J, Mistry M, Vickers M, Wallace PG. Effects of a fish oil supplement on platelet function, haemostatic variables and albuminuria in insulin-dependent diabetics. Thromb Res 1986; 43: 643-655
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Silvis N, Vorster HH, Mollentze WF, De Jager J, Huisman HW. Metabolic and haemostatic consequences of dietary fibre and n-3 fatty acids in black type 2 (NIDDM) diabetic subjects: A placebo controlled study. Intern Clin Nutr Rev 1990; 10: 362-380
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Smith P, Amesen H, Opstad T, Dahl KH, Eritsland J. Influence of highly concentrated n-3 fatty acids on serum lipids and hemostatic variables in survivors of myocardial infarction receiving either oral anticoagulant or matching placebo. Thromb Res 1989; 53: 467-474
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Schmidt EB, Lervang HH, Vanning K, Madsen P, Dyerberg J. Long-term supplementation with n-3 fatty acids, I: Effect on blood lipids, haemostasis and blood pressure. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1992; 52: 221-228
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Benade AJS, Fincham JE, Smuts CM, Lai Tung MT, Chalton D, Kruger M, Weight MJ, Daubitzer AK, Tichelaar HY. 1988. Plasma low density lipoprotein composition in relation to atheroclerosis in nutritionally defined Vervet monkeys. Atherosclerosis 1988; 74: 157-168
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Langenhoven ML, Conradie PJ, Wolmarans P, Faber M. MRC Food quantities manual. 2nd edition. Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa 1991; 89
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Gouws E, Langenhoven ML. Fatty acid composition. Amino acid composition. First supplement to NRIND Food Composition Tables. 2nd edition. Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa 1986: 80
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Macleod J. Davidson’s principles and practice of medicine. 12th edition. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone 1978; 978
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Donahue RP, Orchard TJ, Becker PJ, Kuller LH, Drash AL. Physical activity, insulin sensitivity, and the lipoprotein profile in young adults: the Beaver County Study. Am J Epidemiol 1988; 127: 95-103
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Mahan LK, Arlin M. Carbohydrates. In: Krause’s food, nutrition and diet therapy Philadelphia: Saunders: 1992: 36
  • 32 Rossouw JE, Steyn K, Berger GMB, Vermaak WJH, Kock J, Seftel HC, Gevers W. Action limits for serum total cholesterol. A statement for the medical profession by an ad hoc committee of the Heart Foundation of South Africa. SA Med J 1988; 73: 693-700
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Venter CS, Vorster HH, Silvis N, Kruger A, Mia F, Seftel HC. Determinants of plasma fibrinogen levels in South African Communities. In: Fibrinogen: a “new”cardiovascular risk factor Ernst E, Koenig W, Lowe GDO, Meade TW. (eds). Blackwell-MZV, Vienna, Austria: 1992: 166-171
  • 34 Assmann G, Schulte H. Results and conclusions of the prospective cardiovascular Munster (PROCAM) study. In: Lipid metabolism disorders and coronary heart disease Primary prevention, diagnosis and therapy guidelines for general practice. Assmann G. (ed). Munchen, MMV Medizin Verlag: 1993: 24-67
  • 35 Folsom AR, Wu KK, Davis CE, Conlan MG, Sorlie PD, Szklo M. Population correlates of plasma fibrinogen and factor VII, putative cardiovascular risk factors. Atherosclerosis 1991; 91: 191-205
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Lee AJ, Smith WCS, Lowe GDO, Tunstall-Pedoe H. Plasma fibrinogen and coronary risk factors: the Scottish Heart Health Study. J Cin Epidemiol 1990; 43: 913-919
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Ernst E. Oral contraceptives, fibrinogen and cardiovascular risk. Atherosclerosis 1991; 93: 1-5
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Blonk MC, Bilo HJC, Nauta JJP, Popp-Snijders C, Mulder C, Donker AJM. Dose-response effects of fish-oil supplementation in healthy volunteers. Am J Clin Nutr 1990; 52: 120-127
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Deck C, Radack K. Effects of modest doses of omega-3 fatty acids on lipids and lipoproteins in hypertriglyceridemic subjects. A randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med 1989; 149: 1857-1862
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Nikkilä M. Influence of fish oil on blood lipids in coronary artery disease. Eur J Clin Nutr 1991; 45: 209-213
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Delany JP, Vivian VM, Snook JT, Anderson PA. Effects of fish oil on serum lipids in men during a controlled feeding trial. Am J Clin Nutr 1990; 52: 477-485
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Asplund-Carlson A, Hamsten A, Wiman W, Carlson LA. Relationship between plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity and VLDL triglyceride concentration, insulin levels and insulin sensitivity: studies in randomly selected normo- and hypertriglyceridaemic men. Diabetologia 1993; 36: 817-825
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Siegert G, Bergmann S, Jaross W. Influence of age, gender and lipoprotein metabolism parameters on the activity of plasminogen activator and the fibrinogen concentration. Fibrinolysis 1992; 6: 47-51
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Raccah D, Alessi MC, Seelies V, Menard C, Juhan-Vague I, Vague P. Plasminogen activator inhibitor activity in various types of endogenous hypertriglyceridemia. Fibrinolysis 1993; 7: 171-176
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Juhan-Vague I, Alessi MC, Vague P. Increased plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 levels. A possible link between insulin resistance and athero-thrombosis. Diabetologia 1991; 34: 457-462
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 46 Kluft C, Potter Van Loon BJ, De Maat MPM. Insulin resistance and changes in haemostatic variables. Fibrinolysis 1992; 6: 11-16
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 47 Barcelli U, Glas-Greenwalt P, Poliak VE. Enhancing effect of dietary supplementation with ω-3 fatty acids on plasma fibrinolysis in normal subjects. Thromb Res 1985; 39: 307-312
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 48 Mehta J, Lawson D, Saldeen T. Reduction in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake. Am Heart J 1988; 116: 1201-1206
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 49 Fumeron F, Brigant L, Ollivier V, De Prost D, Driss F, Darcet P, Bard J, Parra H, Fruchart J, Apfelbaum M. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids raise low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoprotein 2, and plasminogen-ac-tivator inhibitor in healthy young men. Am J Clin Nutr 1991; 54: 118-122
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 50 Fröschl H, Spannagl M, Drummer C, Landgraf-Leurs MMC, Landgraf R, Schramm W. Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid diet on humoral clotting and fibrinolysis parameters in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Haemostasis 1988; 18: 27-28
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 51 Nilsson TK, Hellsten G, Kallmans G, Boman K. Effects of cod liver oil and com oil on the fibrinolytic system: A randomised double-blind trial. International journal of fibrinolysis, thrombolysis, and extracellular proteolysis 1992; 6: 141
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 52 Moller JM, Svaneborg N, Lervang HH, Varming K, Madsen P, Dyerberg J, Schmidt EB. The acute effect of a single dose of n-3 fatty acids on coagulation and fibrinolysis. Thromb Res 1992; 67: 569-577
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 53 Iacoviello L, Amore C, De Curtis A, Tacconi MT, De Gaetano G, Cerletti C, Donati MB. Modulation of fibrinolytic response to venous occlusion in humans by a combination of low-dose aspirin and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Arterioscler Thromb 1992; 12: 1191-1197
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 54 Juhan-Vague I, Alessi MC. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and athero-thrombosis. Thromb Haemost 1993; 70: 138-143
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 55 Haglund O, Luostarinen R, Wallin R, Wibell L, Saldeen T. The effects of fish oil on triglycerides, cholesterol, fibrinogen and malondialdehyde in humans supplemented with vitamin E. Lipids 1991; 121: 165-169
    PubMedGoogle Scholar