fig7

Figure 7. Role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in cardiovascular function. The actions of n3-PUFAs are diverse, including the decrease of the inflammatory response via NF-kB inhibition, as well as an increase of β-oxidation, causing the catabolism of triaclyglycerides and contributing to the decrease of lipids stored both in the liver and vessel walls. In addition, by increasing the production of TXA3 in vessel walls, PUFAs decrease vascular resistance, reducing blood pressure. On the other hand, one of the most described effects of n3-PUFAs is their action on cardiac arrhythmia, by inhibiting voltage-gated ion channels and exchangers, as well as increasing the vagal tone of the atria and ventricles, which leads to a lower heart rate. PUFA: polyunsaturated fatty acids; TXA2: thromboxane A2; TXA3: thromboxane A3; COX-1: cyclooxygenase 1; DAT: 1,2 diglyceride acyltransferase; TAG: triacylglycerides; NF-kB: nuclear factor kappa B; TLR-4: toll-like receptor 4; VLDL: very low-density lipoproteins