Dietary n-3 fatty acids and arthritis.
We have evidence that dietary fish oil (FO) decreases severity of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), changes the fatty acid composition of macrophage (M phi) membrane phospholipids, decreases M phi synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs), changes chemotactic ability of M phi s, and affects metabolism of acute phase proteins. Gender also has pronounced effects on susceptibility to CIA and M phi prostaglandin profiles. The mechanisms by which dietary n-3 fatty acids may act to alleviate symptoms of CIA, as well as interactions of dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and gender are discussed. We suggest that the ability of FO diets to influence favourably the course of chronic inflammatory diseases is mediated via alterations in n-6 fatty acid metabolism and that intrinsic differences in n-6 fatty acid metabolism may account not only for our reported gender differences in incidence and severity of CIA, but also the well-documented sexual dimorphism in immune/inflammatory responses in general.
Cathcart
E S
ES
Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, E.N. Rogers Memorial VA Hospital, Bedford, MA.
Gonnerman
W A
WA
Leslie
C A
CA
Hayes
K C
KC
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D012737:Sex Factors
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005395:Fish Oils; D008563:Membrane Lipids