Omega-3 Fatty Acids Relax the Vascular Smooth Muscles Against Vascular Diseases

By Kyle J. Norton

Vascular smooth muscle is the type of smooth muscle found within, and composing the majority of the wall of blood vessels.

Vascular smooth muscle plays a critical role in the distribution of blood to the cells of the organs and tissues by contracting or relaxing to change both the volume of blood vessels and the local blood pressure.

Compared to cardiac muscle, vascular smooth muscle undergoes slow, sustained, tonic contractions and relaxation.

Dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells is an important cause of vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and circulatory shock.

Multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome is a rare, genetic, vascular disease, including cerebrovascular disease, aortic anomalies, intestinal hypoperistalsis, hypotonic bladder, and pulmonary hypertension.

Vascular smooth muscle tone refers to the ratio of constriction experienced by a blood vessel relative to its maximally dilated state.

Omega-3 fatty acids are phytochemicals in the class of lipids, found abundantly in deepsea fisk, dark-green leafy vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, etc.

The three main components of Omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).


On finding a potential phytochemical for the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases, researchers compare the effects of omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids on vascular smooth muscle functioning.

According to the results of the experiment, the main components Docosahexaenoic acid (1-255 microM) and eicosapentaenoic acid (31-255 microM) inhibited phenylephrine-induced contractions, (8-63%) and (20-65%), respectively.

The efficacy of vascular smooth muscle relaxation was also not altered by the presence of indomethacin, NDGA, or by removal of the endothelium

Additionally, Linoleic acid (18:2n6) and arachidonic acid (20:4n6) found in omega 3, and 6 also induced significant relaxation.

Based on the findings, researchers said, " fatty acid-induced relaxation of the rat aorta is specific to polyunsaturated fatty acids, 20:5n3, 22:6n3, 18:2n6 and 20:4n6".

Taken altogether, Omega-3 fatty acids may be considered a functional food for the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases by enhancing the vascular smooth muscle function, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Intake of Omega-3 fatty acids in the form of supplements should be taken with extreme care to prevent overdose and acute liver toxicity.


Natural Medicine for Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal - The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve Optimal Health And Lose Weight

How To Get Rid Of Eye Floaters 
Contrary To Professional's Prediction, Floaters Can Be Cured Naturally 

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You. How-To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Back to Kyle J. Norton Homepage http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca


Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) Effects of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids on vascular smooth muscletone by Engler MB. (PubMed)

blood vessel
(1) Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and blood vessel function by Abeywardena MY1, Head RJ. (PubMed)