The effect of n-3 fatty acids on lipids and haemostasis in patients with type IIa and type IV hyperlipidaemia.

Plasma lipids and haemostasis were investigated in 17 patients with hyperlipidaemia before and after 6 weeks supplementation with 6 g n-3 fatty acids. Nine of the patients had type IIa and 8 had type IV hyperlipidaemia. No effect on plasma cholesterol, LDL- or HDL-cholesterol were seen, but plasma triglycerides decreased after n-3 supplementation. Apolipoprotein B increased and apolipoprotein A1 decreased after the oil supplement. The bleeding time was prolonged, but platelet aggregation was unaltered by n-3 fatty acids. Protein C activity increased in type IIa and decreased in type IV after the supplement. Fibrinolysis was markedly depressed while von Willebrand factor antigen was reduced after intake of n-3 fatty acids.