Effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acid deficiency on heart rate variability in hooded rats

Journal Title: Archives of Medical Science - Year 2007, Vol 3, Issue 3

Abstract

Introduction: Recent reports in adult humans suggest that heart rate variability is modulated by the concentration of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contained in blood cell membranes. Material and methods: Hurst analysis of ECG data was conducted on 12 male adult hooded (Long-Evans) rats, representing the 3rd generation to be fed diets that were either deficient in, or supplemented with, omega-3 PUFA. ECG data were obtained from surface electrodes and 4000 beats were analyzed for each animal. Results: Dietary manipulation, despite leading to large changes in tissue omega-3 PUFA levels, did not significantly affect the complexity of heart rate dynamics, with Hurst exponent (H) values of 0.15±0.02 and 0.12±0.03, for animals fed omega-3 fatty acid-adequate and -deficient diets, respectively. Mean heart rate was also unaffected by the diets. A power calculation revealed that about one hundred animals per group would have been required to avoid a type II error. Conclusions: According to this model of dietary PUFA manipulation, omega-3 fatty acids are unlikely to exert a large effect on the autonomic functions that control heart rate variability. Prospective studies into the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on HRV should consider the need for large sample size as estimated by the results contained in this report.

Authors and Affiliations

Harrison S. Weisinger, Norman Salem Jr, Kevin K. Makino, Joseph R. Hibbeln, Andrew J. Sinclair, Richard S. Weisinger, Paolo B. DePetrillo

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP123673
  • DOI -
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How To Cite

Harrison S. Weisinger, Norman Salem Jr, Kevin K. Makino, Joseph R. Hibbeln, Andrew J. Sinclair, Richard S. Weisinger, Paolo B. DePetrillo (2007). Effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acid deficiency on heart rate variability in hooded rats . Archives of Medical Science, 3(3), 208-214. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-123673