Summary
Background. This study investigated the effects of unsaturated fatty acid (FA) supplementation and psychological stress on the total phospholipid FA composition and activation markers of platelets in a rat model.
Material and methods. Thirty healthy female Wistar rats were divided into three groups for two weeks: one group received ω-3+ω-6 FAs without stress, another received ω-9 FAs with stress, and the third received ω-3+ω-6 FAs with stress. Supplementation provided 1.05 mg C18:1 ω-9, 0.62 mg C18:3 ω-6, 5.74 mg C20:5 ω-3, and 1.79 mg C22:5 ω-3 per 100 g of body weight. All animals had unrestricted access to food and water.
Results. The results indicated that C22:6 ω-3 FA levels (%) were significantly higher in the stress-free ω-3+ω-6 group than in the stressed ω-3+ω-6 group (Mdn. 0.84 vs. Mdn. 0.32, p = 0.049). Malondialdehyde levels (μg/L) were also elevated in the stressed ω-3+ω-6 group relative to the stress-free group (Mdn. 563.69 vs. Mdn. 493.42, p = 0.049). Furthermore, platelet-granulocyte aggregate formation (%) was higher in the stressed ω-3+ω-6 group than in the stressed ω-9 group (Mdn. 5.90 vs. Mdn. 2.95, p = 0.037).
Conclusions. These findings suggest that psychological stress modifies platelet membrane FA composition and may enhance platelet activation and oxidative stress, regardless of FA supplementation status.
