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Effects of Seal Oil and Tuna-Fish Oil on Platelet Parameters and Plasma Lipid Levels in Healthy Subjects

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

Fish are a rich source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two long-chain polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) with cardiovascular benefits. A related but less-investigated LC n-3 PUFA, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), is more common in seal oil and pasture-fed red meats. This study compared indicators of platelet function and plasma lipids in healthy volunteers given supplements containing these different fatty acids (FA) for 14 days. Subjects, randomised into three groups of ten, consumed capsules of tuna oil (210 mg EPA, 30 mg DPA, 810 mg DHA), seal oil (340 mg EPA, 230 mg DPA, 450 mg DHA) or placebo (sunola) oil. Supplementary LC n-3 PUFA levels were approximately 1 g/day in both fish and seal oil groups. Baseline dietary FA and other nutrient intakes were similar in all groups. Both fish and seal oil elevated platelet DHA levels (P < 0.01). Seal oil also raised platelet DPA and EPA levels (P < 0.01), and decreased p-selectin (P = 0.01), a platelet activation marker negatively associated with DPA (P = 0.03) and EPA (P < 0.01) but not DHA. Plasma triacylglycerol decreased (P = 0.03) and HDL-cholesterol levels increased (P = 0.01) with seal oil only. Hence, seal oil may be more efficient than fish oil at promoting healthy plasma lipid profiles and lowering thrombotic risk, possibly due to its high DPA as well as EPA content.

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Abbreviations

AA:

Arachidonic acid

ADP:

Adenosine diphosphate

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

ATP:

Adenosine triphosphate

BMI:

Body mass index

cAMP:

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate

CRP:

C-reactive protein

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

DPA:

Docosapentaenoic acid

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

FA:

Fatty acid(s)

HDL:

High density lipoprotein

LC n-3 PUFA:

Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

LDL:

Low density lipoprotein

MPV:

Mean platelet volume

MUFA:

Monounsaturated fatty acids

SD:

Standard deviation

Ω:

Ohm (electrical resistance)

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the time and effort contributed by the study volunteers. This study was funded through a research grant from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia

    Neil J. Mann & Stella L. O’Connell

  2. School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia

    Kylie M. Baldwin & Indu Singh

  3. School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia

    Barbara J. Meyer

Authors
  1. Neil J. Mann
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  2. Stella L. O’Connell
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  3. Kylie M. Baldwin
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  4. Indu Singh
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  5. Barbara J. Meyer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Neil J. Mann.

Additional information

This study was supported by a grant from Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

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Mann, N.J., O’Connell, S.L., Baldwin, K.M. et al. Effects of Seal Oil and Tuna-Fish Oil on Platelet Parameters and Plasma Lipid Levels in Healthy Subjects. Lipids 45, 669–681 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-010-3450-z

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