Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid intake on plasma fibrinolytic and coagulation activity by using physical load in the young.

To assess the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) intake on fibrinolysis and coagulation, 30 male subjects, approximately 19-23 y old, were examined for plasma fibrinolytic and coagulation activity by using a bicycle ergometer load (90 W, 20 min) before and after EPA intake of 1.125 g/d for 2 wk. Because of the EPA intake, the fibrinolytic activity was promoted, the plasmin-alpha 2 plasmininhibitor complex (PIC) level was decreased by 16.7%, and the thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) level was increased by 75.4%; conversely, the D-dimer of the fibrin degradation peptide (D-dimer) level did not change from that before EPA intake. By the physical load, 1 h after ingesting the load, the PIC level was significantly decreased by 26.7%, the TAT level was significantly increased by 51.1%, and the D-dimer level was significantly decreased by 24% in comparison with levels before EPA intake. Thus, as determined by the load, a small amount of daily EPA intake clearly decreased fibrinolytic activity and increased coagulation activity. One hour after a physical load, the rate of change of the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) level correlated significantly and negatively to the rate of change in the PIC and TAT levels. Thus, EPA intake may affect liver and kidney function. EPA intake decreased systolic blood pressure by 5 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 10 mmHg.