title: Dietary omega-3 fatty acids: effects on lipid mediators of inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Dietary supplementation omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may inhibit (at least partially) three pathways of the synthesis of lipid mediators of inflammation: the platelet-activating factor synthesis pathway, the cyclooxygenase pathway, and the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. In addition, selected cellular functions of polymorphonuclear neutrophils may be modulated by dietary fish oil. The exact mechanism of the effects of dietary supplementation with omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids on these pathways is not completely elucidated; it is quite probable that the effects will vary with the duration, dose, and composition of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid preparation, with background medical therapy, and the presence of and degree of activity of the underlying inflammatory disease state.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Sperling
mesh_terms: D001094:Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000209:etiology*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D001094:Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase