title: Dietary n-3 fatty acid supplementation reduces superoxide production and chemiluminescence in a monocyte-enriched preparation of leukocytes.
abstract: Consuming substantial quantities of n-3 fatty acids reduces atherogenesis in experimental models of atherosclerosis. The mechanisms of this beneficial effect remain uncertain. Monocyte-derived tissue macrophages are associated with atherogenesis, and inhibition of monocyte inflammatory activity could, hypothetically, be helpful in preventing atherosclerosis. We observed that stimulated human monocyte and/or macrophage production of superoxide and the occurrence of monocyte chemiluminescence, two indices of monocyte inflammatory activity, were significantly reduced by the ingestion of 6 g n-3 fatty acids/d for 6 wk. This effect was associated with a reduction of stearic and arachidonic acids whereas eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid concentrations rose significantly. These results indicate that modest dietary n-3 fatty acid supplementation can reduce stimulated human-monocyte free-radical production and may impair the capability of macrophages derived from monocytes to promote oxidation of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and associated cellular toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical Center of Central Massachusetts-Memorial, Worcester 01605-2982.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hoogasian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D003060:Cod Liver Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013481:Superoxides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005609:Free Radicals; D013481:Superoxides; D003060:Cod Liver Oil