eISSN: 1896-9151
ISSN: 1734-1922
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3/2007
vol. 3
 
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abstract:

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

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

Arch Med Sci 2007; 3, 3: 208-214
Online publish date: 2007/10/01
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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.
keywords:

omega-3 fatty acids, heart rate variability (HRV), Hurst exponent

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