Omega-3s may lower hypertension mortalityAssociation between dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among hypertensive adults: Results from NHANES 1999-2018.
High relevance for hypertension treatment.
We explored the link between dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (N3-PUFA) and mortality in hypertensive adults through a thorough study involving over 26,000 participants from NHANES data spanning nearly two decades.
Our findings revealed that higher N3-PUFA intake, particularly from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), was associated with a lower risk of both overall and cardiovascular mortality.
This suggests that incorporating more omega-3 rich foods into the diet could be a valuable strategy for reducing health risks in those living with hypertension.
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We explored the effects of Resolvin E1 (RvE1) in mice with hypertension induced by angiotensin II. By injecting RvE1, we observed significant reductions in blood pressure and improvements in vascular health, including decreased fibrosis and cell growth in blood vessels.
Importantly, the positive effects of RvE1 depended on the ChemR23 receptor—when this receptor was knocked down, the benefits were lost. Our findings suggest that targeting RvE1/ChemR23 could offer promising new ways to treat hypertension.
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We investigated the impact of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on hypertension, a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure that can lead to serious health issues. The study focused on a special compound called 5,6-diHETE lactone (EPA-L), derived from EPA, which we observed to promote better blood vessel function. This compound was tested on hypertensive rats and showed a significant reduction in blood pressure.
Interestingly, we found that the way EPA-L works isn’t through increasing levels of nitric oxide like some may expect. Instead, we discovered that it triggers a unique signaling pathway involving G-protein-coupled receptors. This pathway activates key cellular processes in the endothelial cells lining our blood vessels, allowing them to relax and dilate, thereby contributing to lower blood pressure. In vitro experiments on human endothelial cells confirmed these findings, providing further evidence for the effectiveness of EPA-L.
Overall, our research positions EPA-L as a promising metabolite from eicosapentaenoic acid, demonstrating potential benefits in managing hypertension and promoting vascular health.
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We explored the impact of Resolvin E1 (RvE1)—a compound derived from eicosapentaenoic acid—on hypertension and the corresponding vascular changes associated with it. This research utilized a model where hypertension was induced in mice through a substance called angiotensin II. We administered RvE1 via injection to see how it affected both blood pressure and blood vessel integrity.
Our findings showed that RvE1 could lower high blood pressure and reduce certain harmful changes in the blood vessels. Specifically, it lessened the thickening of artery walls and decreased the buildup of scar tissue in these areas. These improvements were linked to RvE1’s ability to reduce the presence of immune cells that can cause inflammation, which is crucial in the development of hypertension.
We noted that RvE1 works by activating specific cellular pathways that help mediate immune responses and cell growth. Interestingly, levels of RvE1 were found to be lower in patients suffering from hypertension, suggesting that restoring this compound could have therapeutic benefits.
In summary, RvE1 derived from eicosapentaenoic acid shows promise as a potential treatment avenue for managing hypertension and its associated vascular challenges by promoting a healthy resolution of inflammation and regulating cell behavior.
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Eicosapentaenoic Acid Improves Kidney HealthEPA-Enriched Phospholipids Alleviate Renal Interstitial Fibrosis in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats by Regulating TGF-β Signaling Pathways.
Relevant effects on hypertension observed
We set out to investigate how eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) enriched in phospholipids—termed EPA-PL—affects hypertension and kidney health, particularly in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Our research focused on understanding whether dietary EPA-PL could provide protective benefits against kidney damage associated with chronic high blood pressure.
Over three weeks, we treated SHRs with EPA-PL and observed a significant reduction in blood pressure. This drop in blood pressure appeared to be linked to its regulation of the renin-angiotensin system, an important player in blood pressure management. In addition to improved blood pressure, we found notable improvements in kidney function. Measurements of plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and 24-hour proteinuria showed that EPA-PL treatment led to less kidney dysfunction.
Further investigation into the microscopic structure of the kidneys revealed that EPA-PL helps alleviate renal injury and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, conditions that are often detrimental in hypertensive kidney disease. Mechanistically, we observed that the treatment inhibited a protein called TGF-β, while also affecting other important pathways related to cell survival and inflammatory responses, leading to less oxidative stress in the kidneys.
Overall, our findings suggest that EPA-PL holds promising potential as a therapeutic approach for preventing and alleviating the damaging effects of hypertension on kidney health.
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