Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation reduces blood pressure but not renal vasoconstrictor response to orthostatic stress in healthy older adults

• DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13674
• Publication Date: 2018-04-19T16:06:59Z
• Authors: Christine M. Clark; Kevin D. Monahan; Rachel C. Drew
• Keywords: Vasoconstrictor Agents

Older adults exhibit augmented renal vasoconstriction during orthostatic stress compared to young adults. Consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) found in fish oil (FO), modulates autonomic nerve activity. However, the effect consumption on vasoconstrictor response older is unknown. Therefore, 10 (25 ± 1 years; mean SEM) (66 2 years) healthy ingested 4 g FO daily for 12 weeks, underwent graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP; -15 -30 mmHg) pre- post-FO supplementation. Renal blood flow velocity (RBFV; Doppler ultrasound), arterial (BP; photoplethysmographic finger cuff), heart rate (electrocardiogram) were recorded. vascular resistance (RVR), an index vasoconstriction, was calculated BP/RBFV. All baseline cardiovascular values similar between groups visits, except diastolic BP higher group (P < 0.05). supplementation increased erythrocyte EPA DHA content both did not affect RVR or RBFV responses LBNP either group, but attenuated (older mmHg: pre-FO -4 vs. 0 mmHg, P 0.05; -5 mmHg). In conclusion, attenuates does