Changes in red cell shape in healthy elderly subjects taking low dose fish oil: pilot study
Simpson, L.O.; McQueen, E.G.; Shand, B.I.; Herbison, G.P.; Campbell, A.J.
New Zealand Medical Journal 104(916): 316-318
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-8446 PMID: 1852341 Document Number: 368377
Objects: to investigate the effects of low dose fish oil on red cell shape and blood pressure in healthy elderly subjects during a 16 week treatment and an eight week follow up. Methods: red cell shape analysis by scanning electron microscopy with data analysis by repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: in the preoil blood samples the percentage of cells with surface changes was much higher than that of younger healthy subjects (24.0% vs 14.4%). While taking fish oil the percentage of cells with surface changes declined to a minimum at the end of the eighth week, steadily increased during the next eight weeks then declined during the eight week follow up. Mean blood pressures were not altered by the fish oil although that of five subjects taking different types of antihypertensive drugs tended to show greater falls in blood pressure than those not on drugs.