Reversal of the arrhythmogenic effects of long-term saturated fatty acid intake by dietary n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

This study investigated whether the adverse influences of dietary saturated animal fatty acids (SF) on vulnerability to cardiac arrhythmias in rats could be modified by crossover in maturity to diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The arrhythmia model was coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion under anesthesia. Animals were fed commercial stock diet (4% fat wt:wt) supplemented (12% wt:wt) with fat (final diets, 35% energy as fat). Of rats fed the SF diet for 9 and 18 mo, ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred in 71% during occlusion and in 86% on reperfusion. Mortality from VF was 0% after 9 mo on the SF diet but 67% after 18 mo. Dietary crossover to n-3 (tuna-fish oil) or n-6 (sunflower-seed oil) PUFA-supplemented diets at 9 mo reduced arrhythmias (VF incidence less than 30% in occlusion and reperfusion) and mortality (0%). The n-3 PUFAs were most effective. Dietary interventions can be effective even when introduced in mature, high-risk animals and may be of benefit in reducing risk of sudden cardiac death.