The Effect of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Endothelial Cells and Their Production of Prostacyclin, Thromboxane and Platelet Inhibitory Activity

Abstract

SummaryPrimary cultures of human endothelial cell monolayers were incubated with albumin-bound fatty acids of the ω-3 and ω-6 families for a maximum of 24 hrs, to investigate the production of 6-keto-PGF1α, TXB2 and platelet inhibitory activity (PIA). Arachidonic acid was a potent stimulator of all parameters. The release of 6-keto-PGF1α was significantly reduced by equimolar concentrations of linoleic, dihomogamma linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids, but not by linolenic acid. PIA was not similarity affected.Dihomogamma linolenic add was also a weak stimulator of 6- keto-PGF1α and PIA, but reduced the content of both in the cells after 24 hrs. Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids both depressed 6-keto-PGF1α production but PIA was maintained after 24 hrs. Indomethacin always blocked 6-keto-PGF1α and PIA production. None of the effects correlated to release of 51CR from prelabelled cells.