Biological effects of omega-3 fatty acids in diabetes mellitus

Diabetes Care. 1991 Dec;14(12):1160-79. doi: 10.2337/diacare.14.12.1160.

Abstract

Fish oils exert important biological effects on several pathways predisposing to atherosclerosis. Epidemiological studies provided the initial evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may be the principal factor in fish oils responsible for these effects and have led to several short-term clinical trials in which fish-oil concentrates have been administered to various populations at risk for coronary heart disease, including patients with diabetes mellitus. omega-3 Fatty acids reduce serum lipids and lipoproteins, impair platelet aggregation, increase cell membrane fluidity, and lower blood pressure in humans. In this review, we highlight these and other potentially antiatherogenic properties of marine lipids in diabetic subjects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arteriosclerosis / prevention & control*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus / physiopathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / therapy
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / prevention & control*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / therapeutic use*
  • Fish Oils / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Models, Biological
  • Myocardial Infarction / prevention & control
  • Platelet Aggregation / drug effects
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fish Oils
  • Insulin
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors