Arachidonic acid platelet aggregation influence

In section 3.4 we described the biosynthesis of eicosanoids from polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 and n-6 families and indicated in section 3.4.8 that the balance of eicosanoids produced was important in, for example, maintaining normal vascular function. Several studies have demonstrated that altering the amounts and types of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in the diet can influence the spectrum of eicosanoids produced. For example, substitution of fish oils in which n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids predominate for diets in which linoleic acid (n-6) is the main polyunsaturated fatty acid (as typified by the UK diet) results in changes in plasma and platelet fatty acid profiles from arachidonic to eicoasapentaenoic acid as the predominant polyunsaturated fatty acid and a reduction in the formation by platelets of thromboxane A2, an eicosanoid that stimulates their aggregation (Table 5.7). 

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