Nuclear factor kB is activated by arachidonic acid but not by eicosapentaenoic acid.
The omega-6 arachidonic acid supplementation of the human promonocytic cell line U937 strongly stimulates the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NF-kB. Inhibitors of arachidonate oxidative metabolism prevent NF-kB activation, indirectly indicating a role for prostaglandin and leukotriene metabolites in the genesis of this phenomenon. Of note, omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid does not exert any effect on NF-kB DNA binding. In subsequent experiments, prostaglandin E2 consistently showed the ability to activate NF-kB in U937 promonocytic cells, as well as in J774 macrophages. NF-kB activation by arachidonate, together with the lack of effect by eicosapentaenoic acid, suggests a way to modulate the expression of certain genes by means of a suitable dietary n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio.
Camandola
S
S
Department of Experimental Medicine and Oncology, University of Turin, Italy.
Leonarduzzi
G
G
Musso
T
T
Varesio
L
L
Carini
R
R
Scavazza
A
A
Chiarpotto
E
E
Baeuerle
P A
PA
Poli
G
G
D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001692:Biological Transport; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000494:pharmacology; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D004247:DNA; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D015232:Dinoprostone