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Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Associate Professor Harry Björkbacka, Lund University, Sweden
- Second opponent: Professor Terje Larsen, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Researcher Cathrine Rein Carlson; University of Oslo, Norway
Chair of defence
Professor II Ivar Sjaastad, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Erik Øie, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death globally and addressing risk factors can prevent disease. Obesity is a major risk factor and a growing health problem in both developed and developing countries and adipose tissue produces a variety of biologically active substances relevant in cardiovascular disease.
The main aim of the thesis was to shed light on the biological role of fatty acids in myocardial infarction and remodeling, taking a prime interest in the interactions between the immune system and adipose tissue. Specifically, the aim was to study the effects of omega-3 fatty acids after myocardial infarction during myocardial remodeling in an experimental rat infarction model. Furthermore, we investigated if the levels of fatty acids and cardiovascular mediators are modulated in adipose tissue in patients with heart failure by retrieving tissue samples from adipose tissue in proximity to the heart and to the skin. And last, our aim was to provide “proof-of-concept” that fatty acid-derived pro-resolving lipid mediators are biosynthesized during acute myocardial infarction in humans by sampling blood.
The thesis demonstrate that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids leads to a proportional increase of omega-3 fatty acids in myocardial tissue and attenuates left ventricle remodeling after myocardial infarction. Second, adipose tissue from the heart and skin displays molecular similarities in patients with heart failure and controls. However, depot-specific differences of possible importance were demonstrated. And third, omega-3 fatty acid derived pro-resolving lipid mediators play a role in acute myocardial infarction and their temporal dynamics in blood provide a potential target for modulation and therapeutic interventions.
Overall, our results suggest a potential role for fatty acids and fatty acid-derived mediators after myocardial infarction and during myocardial remodeling.
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