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Calvo et al. Vessel Plus 2017;1:116-28 Vessel Plus
DOI: 10.20517/2574-1209.2017.14
www.vpjournal.net
Review Open Access

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and

cardiovascular health: a molecular view into

structure and function

María José Calvo , María Sofía Martínez , Wheeler Torres , Mervin Chávez-Castillo , Eliana Luzardo , Nelson
1
1
1
1
1
Villasmil , Juan Salazar , Manuel Velasco , Valmore Bermúdez
2
1,3
1
1
1 Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, University of Zulia, Maracaibo 15165, Venezuela.
2 Department of Pharmacology, “JM Vargas” Medical School, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas 1050, Venezuela.
3 Advanced Frontier Studies Research Group (ALEF), Simón Bolívar University, Cúcuta 5827070, Colombia.
Correspondence to: Dr. María Sofía Martínez, Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo
15165, Venezuela. E-mail: mmartinez@fmed.luz.edu.ve
How to cite this article: Calvo MJ, Martínez MS, Torres W, Chávez-Castillo M, Luzardo E, Villasmil N, Salazar J, Velasco M, Bermúdez V. Omega-3
polyunsaturated fatty acids and cardiovascular health: a molecular view into structure and function. Vessel Plus 2017;1:116-28.
Dr. María Sofía Martínez obtained the degree of Medical Surgeon, Magna Cum Laude, in the class of 2015, Honor
Roll, of School of Medicine from The University of Zulia, one of the most important Universities in scientific production
of Venezuela. She actually works for the Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center from University
of Zulia, Faculty of Medicine, as a Researcher co-leading projects related to Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes and
Cardiovascular Diseases. She also worked as President of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Student
Society during period 2016-2017.

ABSTRACT
Article history: Given the notorious impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as the current leading cause
Received: 8 May 2017 of mortality worldwide, the prevention, identification and management of CV risk factors
Accepted: 23 Jun 2017 represents a priority in daily clinical practice. Several studies have shown the beneficial
Published: 26 Sep 2017 effects of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on CV health. Their
derivatives, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, intervene in multiple metabolic
Key words: pathways, including: regulation of the inflammatory response, by reducing the synthesis of
Cardiovascular disease, pro-inflammatory cytokines; regulation of platelet aggregation, activation and adhesion, by
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, modulating thromboxane A2 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity; regulation of the
eicosapentaenoic acid, coagulation pathways, by reducing the carboxylation of vitamin K-dependent coagulation
docosahexaeonic acid factors; improvement of endothelial function, given their effects on prostaglandin synthesis and
endothelial nitric oxide synthase; reduction of serum lipids, through their effects on the hepatic
synthesis of triacylglycerides, beta-oxidation of fatty acids and lipoprotein catabolism; and
improvement of myocardial function via their membrane-stabilizing effects, and an increase
in fluidity, size and distribution of membrane lipid rafts. Nevertheless, these effects appear
to vary according to the type of PUFA ingested, dietary sources, daily dosing and individual
factors inherent to the subject. Therefore, further studies are required to determine the ideal
supplementation for each kind of patient and their particular CV profiles.

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