Effects of n-3 fatty acids on cartilage metabolism.
Although the clinical benefits of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been recognised for a number of years, the molecular mechanisms by which particular PUFA affect metabolism of cells within the synovial joint tissues are not understood. This study set out to investigate how n-3 PUFA and other classes of fatty acids affect both degradative and inflammatory aspects of metabolism of articular cartilage chondrocytes using an in vitro model of cartilage degradation. Using well-established culture models, cartilage explants from normal bovine and human osteoarthritic cartilage were supplemented with either n-3 or n-6 PUFA, and cultures were subsequently treated with interleukin 1 to initiate catabolic processes that mimic cartilage degradation in arthritis. Results show that supplementation specifically with n-3 PUFA, but not n-6 PUFA, causes a decrease in both degradative and inflammatory aspects of chondrocyte metabolism, whilst having no effect on the normal tissue homeostasis. Collectively, our data provide evidence supporting dietary supplementation of n-3 PUFA, which in turn may have a beneficial effect of slowing and reducing inflammation in the pathogenesis of degenerative joint diseases in man.
Curtis
Clare L
CL
Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, UK.
Rees
Sarah G
SG
Cramp
Joanna
J
Flannery
Carl R
CR
Hughes
Clare E
CE
Little
Chris B
CB
Williams
Rhys
R
Wilson
Chris
C
Dent
Colin M
CM
Harwood
John L
JL
Caterson
Bruce
B
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D011509:Proteoglycans