OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation at doses of 0.5 and 1.0g/kg/day on the blood lipids of rats submitted or not to swimming exercise. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: control, control+swimming, omega-3 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids+swimming. The omega-3 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids+swimming groups received supplements by gavage, while the remaining animals received water by the same method. The control+swimming and omega-3 fatty acids +swimming groups were submitted to exercise. Plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL were determined before and after the experimental procedures. RESULTS: The concentrations of total cholesterol in the 0.5g/kg/day groups reduced proportionally more in the omega-3 fatty acids+swimming group, even though total cholesterol of the control+swimming and omega-3 fatty acids groups also decreased. Total cholesterol decreased in both groups receiving 1.0g/kg/day supplementation, but the decrease was higher in the omega-3 fatty acids+swimming group than in the omega-3 fatty acids group. Triglycerides also decreased in all experimental groups. The greatest decrease was seen in the omega-3 fatty acids+swimming group receiving 0.5g/kg/day supplementation. In the 1.0g/kg/day protocol, the decrease was significant in both groups: the omega-3 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids+swimming groups. HDL increased among the non-supplemented animals and decreased among the animals receiving a supplementation of 1.0g/kg/day. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation at doses of 0.5 or 1.0g/kg/day associated with swimming exercise reduced plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides, yet additional studies, including varying doses, are necessary to better understand the relationship between ingestion of fish oil and blood lipid concentrations.
Fatty acid, Omega-3; Lipids; Swimming; Rats
