Effects of Omega-3 on Lipid Profile and Haematological Parameters in Hyperlipidemic Rats

Background: There is good evidence that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can help to prevent and treat atherosclerosis by preventing the development of plaque and blood clots. Omega-3 can also help prevent heart disease, lower blood pressure, and reduce the level of triglycerides in the blood. The present study was designed to evaluate and compare the effects of different doses of omega-3, gemfibrozil and atorvastatin on lipid profile and haematological parameters in hyperlipidemic rats. Methods: Forty eight rats were divided into two groups. The first groups included 18 rats’ they were subdivided into three subgroups each of 6 rats. The first subgroup served as a control. The second and third subgroups received omega-3 (15 mg/kg) and (30 mg/kg) orally (PO) daily respectively. The second group included 30 rats and received atherogenic diet throughout the treatment period and served as hyperlipidemic rats. The hyperlipidemic model rats were subdivided into five subgroups of six rats each. The first subgroup served as a positive control. The second and third subgroups received omega-3 (15 mg/kg) and (30 mg/kg) PO daily respectively. The fourth and fifth subgroups received gemfibrozil (3.5 mg/kg) PO daily and atorvastatin (2 mg/kg) PO daily respectively. At the end of treatment period of all these groups, the rats were subjected to various biochemical and hematological tests. Results: After four weeks of therapy, (30mg/kg) of omega-3 showed a significant reduction in the level of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in control rats, whereas (15mg/kg) omega-3 could only reduce the level of TC and LDL-C significantly. Four weeks of daily administration of both doses of omega-3 produced significant reduction in serum (TC, TG and LDL-C) of hyperlipidemic rats. However neither (15mg/kg) of omega-3 nor omega-3 (30mg/kg) could increase the level of high density lipoprotein HDL-C in the treated and non-treated hyperlipidemic rats. Both doses of omega-3 produced a significant increase in the level of HB, RBC and MCH in normal rats. The same doses of omega-3 showed a significant increase in the levels of hemoglobin (HB), red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit (HTC) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) in hyperlipidemic rats after 4 weeks of therapy. Following four weeks treatment with both gemfibrozile and atorvastatin there was a significant reduction in serum (TC, TG and LDL-C) and a significant rise in serum HDL-C in hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusion: Omega-3 was effective in controlling lipid profile especially serum (TC, TG and LDL-C). No significant differences were found between the effects of both doses omega-3 and gemfibrozile or atorvastatin on TC, TG, and LDL-C of hyperlipidemic rats. In contrast to omega-3, gemfibrozile and atorvastatin induced a significant raise in the level of HDL-C. Omega-3 was effective in increasing the levels of HB, RBC, HTC and MCH in hyperlipidemic rats.