title: The effect of highly purified eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids on monocyte phagocytosis in man.
abstract: The n-3 fatty acids (FA) from marine sources are known to exert antiinflammatory effects on monocyte function. There is still controversy whether n-3 FA may increase the susceptibility to infections. The present study was designed to assess the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on monocyte phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity. Fifty-eight healthy men were randomized to take a daily supplement of 3.8 g highly purified EPA (n = 20), 3.6 g DHA (n = 19), or corn oil (n = 19) for 7 wk. Mononuclear leukocytes were collected, isolated, and cryopreserved prior to and after dietary supplementation. Paired samples were analyzed in the presence of autologous serum in a crossover design. Monocyte phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity were measured by flow cytometry after ingestion of Escherichia coli. Monocytes retained their phagocytic ability and respiratory burst activity after supplementation. No reduction in internalization of bacteria was registered. Dietary n-3 FA and particularly EPA improved bacterial adherence to the monocyte surface. In the crossover experiments, there was an adverse effect of serum enriched with n-3 FA on bacterial adherence. We conclude that monocytes retain their phagocytic potential after supplementation with purified EPA and DHA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Halvorsen
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grimsgaard
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Bønaa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kierulf
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nordøy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D003314:Corn Oil / Q000378:metabolism; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D010743:Phospholipids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D003314:Corn Oil; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid