ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)-supplemented diets may decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Especially, omega-3 PUFAs may exert beneficial effects to the treatment and prevention of dyslipidemias, arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. METHODS: This study investigated plasma lipid profiles including total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), LDL, HDL, and antioxidant status indicative of vitamin A, vitamin E, malondialdehyde (MDA) and distribution of plasma long-chain fatty acids (C12-C24) in 28 normal subjects and 24 hypertensive patients. Also, the correlation among PUFAs, levels of antioxidant status, and lipid profiles of the subjects were estimated. RESULTS: The distribution of omega-3 PUFAs, saturated fatty acids, and monounsaturated fatty acids showed significant differences (P<0.05), but that of omega-6 PUFAs did not exhibit significant differences. The omega-6/omega-3 ratio exhibited 36.96 in normal group and 14.29 in the hypertensive patient group. The levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, and MDA were increased significantly in the hypertensive patient group. CONCLUSION: PUFA levels were estimated in the hypertensive patients and normal group. The results suggest that dietary intake of proper omega-6/omega-3 ratio is needed for prevention and treatment of hypertension.