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Thromb Haemost 2008; 100(04): 634-641
DOI: 10.1160/TH08-02-0084
Platelets and Blood Cells
Schattauer GmbH

Effects of omega-3 acid ethyl esters and aspirin, alone and in combination, on platelet function in healthy subjects

Mark K. Larson
1   Department of Biology, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
,
Joseph H. Ashmore
1   Department of Biology, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
,
Kristina A. Harris
1   Department of Biology, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
,
Jessica L. Vogelaar
1   Department of Biology, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
,
James V. Pottala
2   Metabolism and Nutrition Research Center, Sanford Research/ USD, and Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
,
Michael Sprehe
3   Pediatric Hematology, Sanford Pediatric Specialty Clinic, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
,
William S. Harris
2   Metabolism and Nutrition Research Center, Sanford Research/ USD, and Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
› Author Affiliations
Financial support: This study was supported by a grant from Reliant Pharmaceuticals and by NIH Grant (P20 RR016479) from the INBRE Program of the National Center for Research Resources. The contents of this paper are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIH.
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Publication History

Received 12 February 2008

Accepted after major revision 23 July 2008

Publication Date:
22 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) from oily fish are clinically useful for lowering triglycerides and reducing risk of heart attacks. Accordingly, patients at risk are often advised to take both aspirin and n-3 FA. However, both of these agents can increase bleeding times, and the extent to which the combination inhibits platelet function is unknown. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effects of a prescription omega-3 FA product (P-OM3) and aspirin, alone and in combination, on platelet aggregation assessed by whole blood impedance aggregometry (WBA). Ten healthy volunteers provided blood samples on four separate occasions: Day 1, baseline; Day 2, one day after taking aspirin (2 x 325 mg tablets); Day 29, after 28 days of P-OM3 (4 capsules/day); and Day 30, after one day of combined P-OM3 and aspirin. WBA was tested with two concentrations of collagen, with ADP and with a thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP). Compared to baseline, aspirin alone inhibited aggregation only with low-dose collagen stimulation;P-OM3 alone did not inhibit aggregation with any agonist; and combined therapy inhibited aggregation with all agonists butTRAP. Significant interactions between interventions were not observed in response to any agonist. In conclusion, P-OM3 alone did not inhibit platelet aggregation, but did (with two agonists) when combined with aspirin. Since previous studies have not reported a clinically significant risk for bleeding in subjects on combined therapy, P-OM3 may safely enhance the anti-platelet effect of aspirin.

Keywords

Aspirin - docosahexaenoic acid - eicosapentaenoic acid - omega-3 fatty acids - platelet aggregation