Chronic treatment with omega3-PUFA decreases plasma concentration of asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) in aged spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR).

Plasma levels of ADMA, the most potent endogenous competitive inhibitor of NOs, represents an indicator of endothelial dysfunction and a predictor of cardiovascular mortality. The effectiveness of EPA and DHA in reducing mortality for CV fatal events has been extensively documented. Despite this, their mechanism of action remains almost unclear. The aim of the study was to verify the effect of EPA and DHA on ADMA plasma levels. We measured ADMA in the plasma of aged SHR (18 month old) treated with EPA and DHA (1 g/Kg/day; EPA-DHA) for 8 weeks and in the plasma of olive oil placebo treated animals (OLIVE). Our results show that OLIVE had high plasma levels of ADMA (1365,5 ± 399,1 pmol/ml). In EPA-DHA ADMA levels were significantly lowered (587 ± 113 pmol/ml). In parallel, in EPA-DHA animals, higher NOx levels than in OLIVE were found. No differences between goups were found for creatinine and homocytseine plasma levels, and in renal DDHA activity as well. These results show for the first time that EPA and DHA have the potential to reduce the concentration of this CV risk factor.