Fatty acids and the immune system: from basic science to clinical applications.
Over the last 25 years, the effects of fatty acids on the immune system have been characterized using in vitro, animal and human studies. Advances in fatty acid biochemistry and molecular techniques have recently suggested new mechanisms by which fatty acids could potentially modify immune responses, including modification of the organization of cellular lipids and interaction with nuclear receptors. Possibilities for the clinical applications of n-3 PUFA are now developing. The present review focuses on the hypothesis that the anti-inflammatory properties of n-3 PUFA in the arterial wall may contribute to the protective effects of n-3 PUFA in CVD, as suggested by epidemiological and secondary prevention studies. Studies are just beginning to show that dietary n-3 PUFA can be incorporated into plaque lipid in human subjects, where they may influence the morphology and stability of the atherosclerotic lesion.
Yaqoob
Parveen
P
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, School of Food Biosciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 226, Reading RG6 6AP, UK. P.Yaqoob@reading.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D007249:Inflammation
D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid