In our investigation, we delved into the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid, on hypertension and its associated heart problems. To understand its impact, we used twelve-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats, which mimic the conditions seen in humans with high blood pressure.
The rats were divided into two groups, with one group fed a diet enriched with EPA while the other received a standard diet for 20 weeks. Our findings revealed something promising: those on the EPA-enriched diet showed a marked reduction in cardiac fibrosis, a condition where heart tissue becomes stiff and less functional. This was significant, as it also contributed to improved diastolic function, even though blood pressure continued to rise.
However, it’s important to note that EPA did not seem to affect the thickening of the heart muscle, known as hypertrophy. We also found evidence that EPA treatment increased certain factors that typically indicate an anti-inflammatory response, such as M2 macrophages and interleukin-10 levels.
Overall, we observed that EPA appears to prevent further complications related to heart function during sustained high blood pressure, positioning it as a potentially innovative treatment strategy for managing hypertensive heart disease.