Table 2.
Actions of PUFAs (especially of ω-3 fatty acids) that account for their beneficial actions in inflammation, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemias, type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease.
| Target | Effect |
| Plasma triglyceride concentration-fasting and post-prandial | ↓↓ |
| Plasma cholesterol | ↓↔ |
| HDL cholesterol | ↑↔ |
| LDL cholesterol | ↓↔ |
| Blood pressure | ↓ |
| Diuretic-like action | ↑ |
| Endothelial production of NO | ↑ |
| ACE activity | ↓ |
| HMG-CoA activity | ↓ |
| Platelet aggregation | ↓ |
| Leukocyte activation | ↓ |
| Cardiac arrhythmias | ↓ |
| Heart rate variability | ↑ |
| Production of lipoxins and resolvins | ↑ |
| Formation of lipid peroxides | ↓ |
| Production of PGI2, PGI3, PGE1 | ↑ |
| Production of TXA2, LTs | ↓ |
| Synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and MIF | ↓ |
| Production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 | ↑ |
| Insulin sensitivity | ↑ |
| Endothelial integrity | ↑ |
| Telomere length | ↑ |
| Parasympathetic tone | ↑ |
| Sympathetic tone | ↓ |