Food source intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the relation to with plasma fibrinogen in patients with cardiovascular risk

Abstract

Abstract: 

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may have effects on hemostasis, although the results are controversial. Sex could modulate PUFAs metabolism with differential effects on cardiovascular risk (CVR).

The aim was to analyze the association between food source (FS) intake of omega 3 and omega 6 (n-3 and n-6) PUFAs serum profile and plasma fibrinogen levels, as a prothrombotic marker in patients with CVR according to sex.

Observational, correlational and cross-sectional study. Participated 249 adults, both sexes, over 40 years old, with CVR according to waist circumference, cardiology service assistants of the National Hospital of Clinic (NHC), Cordoba, 2017- 2020. Ethical aspects were approved by Institutional Ethics Committee of the Health Research - NHC. The information was collected by using a clinic history, and validated food frequency and tobacco questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, lipid profile, glycemia and fibrinogen concentrations were taken by standard norms. Interfood v.1.3 software was employed to process dietary information. Fisher’s or Wilcoxon’s tests were used to analyze variables by group. Spearman’s test was used to determine the association between consumption of FS, PUFAs n-3 and n-6 profile and plasma fibrinogen (p=<0.05).

Significant differences were observed in lipid profile, glycemia and fibrinogen, being higher in women than men (p=<0.01, 0.05 y 0.05, respectively). Intake of soybeans and derivatives, FS of PUFAs n-3 and red meat, FS of PUFAs n-6 were statistically different according to sex (p=0.008 y 0.002, respectively). Men showed a significantly higher intake of PUFAs n-3 y n-6 (p=<0.05). We found a positive correlation between arachidonic fatty acid (20:4 n-6) intake and plasma fibrinogen levels, only in male (r=0,44 y p=0.02). There were no associations between PUFAs n-3 and fibrinogen.

In conclusion, 20:4 n-6 could increase plasma fibrinogen levels in male, and this is associated with the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids from foods source intake of PUFAs n-6.