Could omega-3 fatty acids preserve endothelial function in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis?
Background: Endothelial dysfunction is claimed to be the cause of increased risk for cardiovascular diseases in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Omega-3 fatty acids is a promising drug in this field; however, its exact effects on endothelial functions are not fully understood. Aim of the work: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on endothelial reactivity and some markers of endothelial dysfunction [Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and NOS activity] in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. Material & methods: Thirty male rats were divided into 3 groups (control, untreated RA, and RA group with omega-3 supplementation). RA induction was done by intradermal injection of heat-killed Mycobacterium butyricum and was confirmed by clinical signs of arthritis on day 11. In the treated group, omega-3 was given daily via gastric gavage starting from day 11 until the end of the study. The study duration was 30 days for all groups starting from the day of induction. At the end of the study, rats were sacrificed, blood samples were collected for VACM-1, TNF-α, MDA and nitrite measurement and thoracic aortae were taken to test vascular reactivity. Results: All markers increased while vascular reactivity decreased significantly after RA induction. Omega-3 treatment significantly decreased all biochemical markers and restored normal vascular reactivity in the treated group.