Journal of cardiology
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Journal of cardiology · Oct 2007
[Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on visceral fat and heart rate variability: assessment by power spectral analysis].
Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)on visceral fat storage and the autonomic nervous system were evaluated by abdominal computed tomography (measurement of visceral fat area) and power spectral analysis of heart rate variability, respectively. ⋯ The oral intake of purified EPA significantly reduced blood pressure without altering heart rate during the 6-month treatment. EPA suppressed sympathetic nerve activity without inducing any parasympathetic nerve activity. The direct anti-sympathetic action of EPA was inferred and its action was found unrelated to blood pressure decrease. In male patients, diminished visceral fat area may be associated with depression of sympathetic nerve activity.