Dietary fish oil n-3 fatty acids increase regulatory cytokine production and exert anti-inflammatory effects in two murine models of inflammation.
The higher incidence of inflammatory diseases in Western countries might be related, in part, to a high consumption of saturated fatty acids and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and an insufficient intake of n-3 fatty acids. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dietary n-3 fatty acids on innate and specific immune response and their anti-inflammatory action in models of contact and atopic dermatitis. Balb/C mice were fed for 3 wk either n-6 or n-3 PUFA-fortified diets. After inducing a contact or an atopic dermatitis, immunological parameters were analyzed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of these n-3 PUFA. n-3 PUFA reduced innate and specific immune responses through inhibition of TH1 and TH2 responses, increase of immunomodulatory cytokines such as IL-10, and regulation of gene expression. The inhibition of both kinds of responses was confirmed by the anti-inflammatory effect observed in contact and atopic dermatitis. Reduction in weight, edema, thickness, leukocyte infiltration, and enhancement of antioxidant defenses in the inflamed ears of mice from both models along with the prevention of delayed-type hypersensitivity induced in atopic dermatitis proved n-3 PUFA efficacy. Our data suggest that dietary fish oil-derived n-3 fatty acids have immunomodulatory effects and could be useful in inflammatory disorders.
Sierra
Saleta
S
Immunology and Animal Science Department, Puleva Biotech SA, Granada 18004, Spain.
Lara-Villoslada
Federico
F
Comalada
Mònica
M
Olivares
Mónica
M
Xaus
Jordi
J
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D047493:PPAR alpha / Q000235:genetics; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D015777:Eicosanoids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D008055:Lipids; D047493:PPAR alpha; D047495:PPAR gamma; D012333:RNA, Messenger