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Effects of omega‐3 acid ethyl esters and aspirin, alone and in combination, on platelet function in healthy subjects
Author(s) -
Larson Mark K,
Ashmore Joseph H,
Harris Kristina A,
Vogelaar Jessica L,
Harris William S
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.924.9
Subject(s) - aspirin , platelet , platelet aggregation , medicine , pharmacology , chemistry
Omega‐3 fatty acids (n‐3 FA) lower triglycerides and risk of heart attacks. Accordingly, patients at risk are often advised to take both aspirin (ASA) and n‐3 FA. However, both can increase bleeding times, and the effects of the combination on platelet function are unknown. We determined the effects of a prescription n‐3 FA product (P‐OM3) and ASA, alone and in combination, on platelet aggregation assessed by whole blood impedance aggregometry (WBA). Methods: Ten healthy volunteers provided blood samples on four separate occasions: Day 1, baseline; Day 2, 1 day after taking ASA (2 × 325 mg tablets); Day 29, after 28 days of P‐OM3 (4 capsules/d); and Day 30, after 1 day of combined P‐OM3 and ASA. WBA was tested with two concentrations of collagen and with ADP. Results: Aggregation in response to either high‐dose collagen or ADP was not inhibited by ASA alone (vs. baseline), but it was inhibited when combined with P‐OM3 (19.0±2.8 to 13.2±2.9 ohms, and 9.1±3.0 to 6.2±4.2 ohms, respectively, p<0.04 both). Using low‐dose collagen as the agonist, ASA with or without P‐OM3, reduced platelet aggregation vs. baseline (14.7±2.7 vs. ASA+P‐OM3, 2.3±1.1 ohms, p<0.001). Conclusions: P‐OM3 alone did not inhibit platelet aggregation, but it enhanced the inhibitory effect of ASA in response to two common agonists. N‐3 FA may improve ASA resistance.