In a new study from Karolinska Institutet, researchers found omega-3 fatty acids may play a vital role in preventing inflammation in blood vessels and reducing atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is the thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery.
The discovery can pave the way for new strategies for treating and preventing heart disease using omega-3 fatty acids.
Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death globally and a serious public health problem. Atherosclerosis is associated with chronic inflammation in the blood vessels.
Inflammation is normally controlled by stop signals called resolvins, which switch off the inflammation and stimulate tissue healing and repair through a process called resolution of inflammation.
Resolvins are formed from omega-3 fatty acids and bind to and activate a receptor called GPR32.
In the study, the team found that this receptor is dysregulated in atherosclerosis, indicating a disruption in the body’s natural healing processes.
This discovery can pave the way for completely new strategies for treating and preventing atherosclerosis by arresting inflammation in the blood vessels, while also turning on the body’s healing processes with the help of omega-3 fatty acids, for example.
The new study shows that signaling via the receptor actively stops inflammation in atherosclerotic blood vessels and stimulates healing.
The team is now studying the mechanisms behind the failed management of inflammation in the blood vessels and how omega-3 mediated stop signals can be used to treat atherosclerosis.
If you care about inflammation, please read studies about cause of severe inflammation in COVID-19, and findings of drugs for inflammation, diabetes that may help treat cancer.
For more information about wellness, please see recent studies about the hormone that may reduce irregular heartbeat, inflammation, and results showing that inflammation may slow cognitive decline in older people.
The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. One author of the study is Hildur Arnardottir.
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