Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 1999;19:1111-1118

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Guallar, E.
Right arrow Articles by Kok, F. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Guallar, E.
Right arrow Articles by Kok, F. J.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Substance via MeSH
Medline Plus Health Information
*Dietary Fats
*Heart Attack
Related Collections
Right arrow Risk Factors
Right arrow Acute myocardial infarction
Right arrow Lipid and lipoprotein metabolism
(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 1999;19:1111-1118.)
© 1999 American Heart Association, Inc.


Original Contributions

Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Adipose Tissue and Risk of Myocardial Infarction

The EURAMIC Study

Eliseo Guallar; Antti Aro; F. Javier Jiménez; José M. Martín-Moreno; Irma Salminen; Pieter van't Veer; Alwine F. M. Kardinaal; Jorge Gómez-Aracena; Blaise C. Martin; Lenore Kohlmeier; Jeremy D. Kark; Vladimir P. Mazaev; Jetmund Ringstad; José Guillén; Rudolph A. Riemersma; Jussi K. Huttunen; Michael Thamm; Frans J. Kok

From the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National School of Public Health, "Instituto de Salud Carlos III" (E.G., J.M.M.-M.), Madrid, Spain; Department of Nutrition, National Public Health Institute (A.A., I.S., J.K.H.), Helsinki, Finland; Research Unit, "Fundación Jiménez Díaz" (F.J.J.), Madrid, Spain; Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen Agricultural University (P.V.V., F.J.K.), Wageningen, The Netherlands; Department of Consumer Research and Epidemiology, TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute (A.F.M.K.), Zeist, The Netherlands; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Málaga (J.G.-A.), Málaga, Spain; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Zürich University (B.C.M.), Zürich, Switzerland; University of North Carolina (L.K.), Chapel Hill; Epidemiology Unit, Hadassah Medical Organization and Hebrew University (J.D.K.), Jerusalem, Israel; Research Center for Preventive Medicine (V.P.M.), Moscow, Russia; Østfold Central Hospital (J.R.), Fredrikstad, Norway; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada (J.G.), Granada, Spain; Cardiovascular Research Unit, University of Edinburgh (R.A.R.), Edinburgh, United Kingdom; and Department of Health Risks and Prevention, Robert Koch Institute (M.T.), Berlin, Germany.

Correspondence and reprint requests to Eliseo Guallar, Departamento de Epidemiología y Bioestadística, Escuela Nacional de Sanidad, Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Sinesio Delgado 8, 28029 Madrid, Spain. E-mail eguallar{at}isciii.es

Abstract—Omega-3 fatty acids have potential antiatherogenic, antithrombotic, and antiarrhythmic properties, but their role in coronary heart disease remains controversial. To evaluate the association of omega-3 fatty acids in adipose tissue with the risk of myocardial infarction in men, a case-control study was conducted in eight European countries and Israel. Cases (n=639) included patients with a first myocardial infarction admitted to coronary care units within 24 hours from the onset of symptoms. Controls (n=700) were selected to represent the populations originating the cases. Adipose tissue levels of fatty acids were determined by capillary gas chromatography. The mean (±SD) proportion of {alpha}-linolenic acid was 0.77% (±0.19) of fatty acids in cases and 0.80% (±0.19) of fatty acids in controls (P=0.01). The relative risk for the highest quintile of {alpha}-linolenic acid compared with the lowest was 0.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22 to 0.81, P-trend=0.02). After adjusting for classical risk factors, the relative risk for the highest quintile was 0.68 (95% CI 0.31 to 1.49, P-trend=0.38). The mean proportion of docosahexaenoic acid was 0.24% (±0.13) of fatty acids in cases and 0.25% (±0.13) of fatty acids in controls (P=0.14), with no evidence of association with risk of myocardial infarction. In this large case-control study we could not detect a protective effect of docosahexaenoic acid on the risk of myocardial infarction. The protective effect of {alpha}-linolenic acid was attenuated after adjusting for classical risk factors (mainly smoking), but it deserves further research.


Key Words: myocardial infarction • {alpha}-linolenic acid • docosahexaenoic acid • case-control studies • adipose tissue.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Psychosom. Med.Home page
A. A. Amin, R. A. Menon, K. J. Reid, W. S. Harris, and J. A. Spertus
Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients With Depression Have Low Blood Cell Membrane Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels
Psychosom Med, October 1, 2008; 70(8): 856 - 862.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
U. J. Jung, C. Torrejon, A. P Tighe, and R. J Deckelbaum
n-3 Fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: mechanisms underlying beneficial effects
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 2008; 87(6): 2003S - 2009S.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
A. Baylin, E. Ruiz-Narvaez, P. Kraft, and H. Campos
{alpha}-Linolenic acid, {Delta}6-desaturase gene polymorphism, and the risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2007; 85(2): 554 - 560.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Nutr Clin PractHome page
S. Lee, K. M. Gura, S. Kim, D. A. Arsenault, B. R. Bistrian, and M. Puder
Current Clinical Applications of {Omega}-6 and {Omega}-3 Fatty Acids
Nutr Clin Pract, August 1, 2006; 21(4): 323 - 341.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
G. P. Zaloga, N. Ruzmetov, K. A. Harvey, C. Terry, N. Patel, W. Stillwell, and R. Siddiqui
(n-3) Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Prolong Survival following Myocardial Infarction in Rats
J. Nutr., July 1, 2006; 136(7): 1874 - 1878.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Int J EpidemiolHome page
J. D Kark, R. Fink, B. Adler, N. Goldberger, and S. Goldman
The incidence of coronary heart disease among Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem
Int. J. Epidemiol., April 1, 2006; 35(2): 448 - 457.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
J. H.K. Vogel, S. F. Bolling, R. B. Costello, E. M. Guarneri, M. W. Krucoff, J. C. Longhurst, B. Olshansky, K. R. Pelletier, C. M. Tracy, R. A. Vogel, et al.
Integrating Complementary Medicine Into Cardiovascular Medicine: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Task Force on Clinical Expert Consensus Documents (Writing Committee to Develop an Expert Consensus Document on Complementary and Integrative Medicine)
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., July 5, 2005; 46(1): 184 - 221.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Lipid Res.Home page
N. Hussein, E. Ah-Sing, P. Wilkinson, C. Leach, B. A. Griffin, and D. J. Millward
Long-chain conversion of [13C]linoleic acid and {alpha}-linolenic acid in response to marked changes in their dietary intake in men
J. Lipid Res., February 1, 2005; 46(2): 269 - 280.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
A. Tavani, S. Gallus, C. La Vecchia, A. Baylin, E. K. Kabagambe, A. Ascherio, D. Spiegelman, and H. Campos
{alpha}-Linolenic Acid and Nonfatal Acute Myocardial Infarction * Response
Circulation, October 28, 2003; 108 (17): e127 - e128.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
S. Rajaram
The effect of vegetarian diet, plant foods, and phytochemicals on hemostasis and thrombosis
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2003; 78(3): 552S - 558.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
B. C Davis and P. M Kris-Etherton
Achieving optimal essential fatty acid status in vegetarians: current knowledge and practical implications
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2003; 78(3): 640S - 646.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
A. T Erkkila, S. Lehto, K. Pyorala, and M. I. Uusitupa
n-3 Fatty acids and 5-y risks of death and cardiovascular disease events in patients with coronary artery disease
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2003; 78(1): 65 - 71.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
J. D Kark, N. A Kaufmann, F. Binka, N. Goldberger, and E. M Berry
Adipose tissue n-6 fatty acids and acute myocardial infarction in a population consuming a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2003; 77(4): 796 - 802.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
A. Baylin, E. K. Kabagambe, A. Ascherio, D. Spiegelman, and H. Campos
Adipose Tissue {alpha}-Linolenic Acid and Nonfatal Acute Myocardial Infarction in Costa Rica
Circulation, April 1, 2003; 107(12): 1586 - 1591.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
P. M. Kris-Etherton, W. S. Harris, L. J. Appel, and for the Nutrition Committee
Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, February 1, 2003; 23(2): e20 - 30.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NEJMHome page
E. Guallar, M. I. Sanz-Gallardo, P. v.'t Veer, P. Bode, A. Aro, J. Gomez-Aracena, J. D. Kark, R. A. Riemersma, J. M. Martin-Moreno, F. J. Kok, et al.
Mercury, Fish Oils, and the Risk of Myocardial Infarction
N. Engl. J. Med., November 28, 2002; 347(22): 1747 - 1754.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. M. Kris-Etherton, W. S. Harris, L. J. Appel, and for the Nutrition Committee
Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease
Circulation, November 19, 2002; 106(21): 2747 - 2757.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
E. B. Feldman
The Scientific Evidence for a Beneficial Health Relationship Between Walnuts and Coronary Heart Disease
J. Nutr., May 1, 2002; 132(5): 1062S - 1101.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
C. M Oomen, M. C Ocke, E. J. Feskens, F. J Kok, and D. Kromhout
{alpha}-Linolenic acid intake is not beneficially associated with 10-y risk of coronary artery disease incidence: the Zutphen Elderly Study
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, October 1, 2001; 74(4): 457 - 463.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart J SupplHome page
R. Marchioli
Treatment with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids after myocardial infarction: results of GISSI-prevenzione trial
Eur. Heart J. Suppl., June 1, 2001; 3(suppl_D): D85 - D97.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
R. M. Krauss, R. H. Eckel, B. Howard, L. J. Appel, S. R. Daniels, R. J. Deckelbaum, J. W. Erdman Jr, P. Kris-Etherton, I. J. Goldberg, T. A. Kotchen, et al.
AHA Scientific Statement: AHA Dietary Guidelines: Revision 2000: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association
J. Nutr., January 1, 2001; 131(1): 132 - 146.
[Full Text]


Home page
CirculationHome page
T. Rissanen, S. Voutilainen, K. Nyyssonen, T. A. Lakka, and J. T. Salonen
Fish Oil-Derived Fatty Acids, Docosahexaenoic Acid and Docosapentaenoic Acid, and the Risk of Acute Coronary Events : The Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study
Circulation, November 28, 2000; 102(22): 2677 - 2679.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
R. M. Krauss, R. H. Eckel, B. Howard, L. J. Appel, S. R. Daniels, R. J. Deckelbaum, J. W. Erdman Jr, P. Kris-Etherton, I. J. Goldberg, T. A. Kotchen, et al.
AHA Dietary Guidelines : Revision 2000: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association
Stroke, November 1, 2000; 31(11): 2751 - 2766.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
R. M. Krauss, R. H. Eckel, B. Howard, L. J. Appel, S. R. Daniels, R. J. Deckelbaum, J. W. Erdman Jr, P. Kris-Etherton, I. J. Goldberg, T. A. Kotchen, et al.
AHA Dietary Guidelines : Revision 2000: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association
Circulation, October 31, 2000; 102(18): 2284 - 2299.
[Full Text] [PDF]