Effects of gammalinolenic acid on interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion by stimulated human peripheral blood monocytes: studies in vitro and in vivo.
BACKGROUND
Oils enriched in gammalinolenic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, reduce joint pain and swelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The cytokines interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha appear to contribute directly to joint tissue damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Agents designed to interfere with the actions of interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are being used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.


METHODS
We examined the influence of gammalinolenic acid added to cells in vitro and administered orally in vivo on interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion from activated human peripheral blood monocytes. Secretion of both cytokines was reduced by gammalinolenic acid. Administration of safflower oil as a polyunsaturated fatty acid control devoid of gammalinolenic acid did not change secretion of either cytokine.


CONCLUSIONS
Suppression of IL-beta and TNF-alpha secretion by activated cells may be one mechanism whereby gammalinolenic acid suppresses synovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
DeLuca
P
P
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655-0335, USA.
Rossetti
R G
RG
Alavian
C
C
Karim
P
P
Zurier
R B
RB
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013585:Synovitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid