fig3

Figure 3. Role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in thrombogenesis. n-3 PUFAs exert their antithrombotic effect on platelets via two main processes: (1) replacement of arachidonic acid in the platelet membrane, which causes a decrease in the action of COX-1 on arachidonic acid, diminishing TXA2 synthesis and favoring the synthesis of TXA3; (2) activity as TXA2 antagonists through the synthesis of protectin DX, a molecule from the lipoxygenase pathway, which inhibitis COX-1 and COX-2. PUFA: polyunsaturated fatty acids; TXA2: thromboxane A2; TXA3: thromboxane A3; COX-1: cyclooxygenase 1; COX-2: cyclooxygenase 2