Erythrocyte n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure in Korean subjects with hypertension

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the level of erythrocyte n‐3 PUFA is inversely related with 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure. There were significant differences in age, BMI, sex, marital status, and family history of hyperlipidemia between hypertensive and non‐hypertensive subjects, and these factors were therefore considered to be confounding factors. Multivariate‐adjusted regression analysis showed that erythrocyte fatty acids were not significantly associated with the risk of hypertension. However, Pearson's correlation analysis showed that 24‐hour ambulatory SBP was significantly and negatively correlated with n‐3 PUFA (r=−0.228, p=0.027) and, EPA (r=−0.270, p=0.008), but not with DHA (r=−0.156, p=0.131). Multivariate‐adjusted regression analysis also showed that intake of protein, vitamin B2, vitamin E, and cholesterol increased the risk of hypertension after adjusting for confounders. Additionally, Pearson's correlation analysis showed that fat and cholesterol consumption was positively correlated with SBP, but carbohydrate intake was negatively correlated with SBP. In conclusion, erythrocyte n‐3 PUFA did not reduce the risk of hypertension but erythrocyte n‐3 PUFA, EPA, and DPA were negatively correlated with 24‐hour ambulatory SBP, suggesting that EPA and DPA may reduce SBP in the Korean population. This work was supported by a grant from the KRF.