Short-time infusion of fish oil-based lipid emulsions, approved for parenteral nutrition, reduces monocyte proinflammatory cytokine generation and adhesive interaction with endothelium in humans.
Potential impact of omega-3 fatty acids, as contained in fish oil, on immunological function has been suggested because observations of reduced inflammatory diseases in Greenland Inuit were published. A fish oil-based lipid emulsion has recently been approved for parenteral nutrition in many countries. We investigated the influence of a short infusion course of fish oil-based (omega-3) vs conventional (omega-6) lipid emulsion on monocyte function. In a randomized design, twelve healthy volunteers received omega-3 or omega-6 lipid infusion for 48 h, with cross-over repetition of the infusion course after 3 mo. Fatty acid profiles, monocyte cytokine release and adhesive monocyte-endothelium interaction were investigated. Resultant omega-6 lipid emulsion increased plasma-free fatty acids including arachidonic acid, whereas the omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid ratio in monocyte membranes remained largely unchanged. It also caused a tendency toward enhanced monocyte proinflammatory cytokine release and adhesive monocyte-endothelium interaction. In contrast, omega-3 lipid emulsion significantly increased the omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid ratio in the plasma-free fatty acid fraction and in monocyte membrane lipid pool, markedly suppressing monocyte generation of TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8 in response to endotoxin. In addition, it also significantly inhibited both monocyte-endothelium adhesion and transendothelial monocyte migration, although monocyte surface expression of relevant adhesive molecules (CD11b, CD18, CD49 days, CCR2) was unchanged. Although isocaloric, omega-3 and omega-6 lipid emulsions exert differential impact on immunological processes in humans. In addition to its nutritional value, fish oil-based omega-3 lipid emulsion significantly suppresses monocyte proinflammatory cytokine generation and features of monocyte recruitment.
Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany. Konstantin.Mayer@innere.med.uni-giessen.de
Konstantin
K
Mayer
Sandra
S
Meyer
Marion
M
Reinholz-Muhly
Ulrich
U
Maus
Martina
M
Merfels
Jürgen
J
Lohmeyer
Friedrich
F
Grimminger
Werner
W
Seeger
D000328:Adult; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D036904:Leukocyte Rolling / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D012737:Sex Factors
D016207:Cytokines; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005395:Fish Oils; D008563:Membrane Lipids