Effects of dietary lipids on immune function in a murine sensitisation model.
We have tested the effect of dietary fatty acids on aspects of innate and specific adaptive T helper (Th) 1- and Th2-driven immune responses in a murine sensitisation model using dinitrochlorobenzene as sensitiser. Six groups of fifteen BALB/c mice were fed diets containing 30 % fat (by energy) for 8 weeks. Diets were rich in saturated fatty acids, n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), or n-3 PUFA, each at a sufficient (11, 35 and 68 mg/kg) and a supplemented vitamin E level (1028, 1031 and 1030 mg/kg respectively). Feeding n-6 PUFA marginally decreased % phagocytosing cells at the low vitamin E level, but had no other effects on immune function. The n-3 PUFA diets decreased production of prostaglandin E2 while increasing oxidative burst and tumour necrosis factor alpha production. In addition adaptive Th1-driven responses (immunoglobulin, Ig)G2a, IgG2b, interferon-gamma:interleukin 4) were decreased, whereas Th2-driven and mucosal immune responses were increased (IgE) or unaffected (IgG1, IgA). Combination with high levels of alpha-tocopherol did not affect the reduced prostaglandin E2 production, augmented the increase of tumour necrosis factor alpha production and tended to ameliorate the selective suppressive effects of n-3 PUFA on certain Th1-driven effects (interferon-gamma:interleukin 4 ratio and IgG2a levels). We conclude that the sensitisation model appears useful for application in nutrition research. It allows a broad assessment of the effects of dietary intervention on various aspects of immune responsiveness, and as such provides a valuable model to assess, characterise and rank effects of foods and/or nutrients on a range of immune functions, including Th1-Th2 polarisation.
Unilever Health Institute, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.
Ruud
R
Albers
Marianne
M
Bol
Rob
R
Bleumink
Astrid
A
Willems
Cor
C
Blonk
Raymond
R
Pieters
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D023421:Models, Animal; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000494:pharmacology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D016207:Cytokines; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; C077446:Pikasol; D014810:Vitamin E; D015232:Dinoprostone