Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory mediators and splenocyte cytokine mRNA expressions in rats with polymicrobial sepsis.
OBJECTIVE
Many studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) have immunomodulatory effects. However, the influence of omega-3 FAs on septic conditions is not certain. This study examined the effect of fish oil (FO)-enriched diets before and/or omega-3 FA-containing total parenteral nutrition (TPN) after sepsis on the distribution of T-lymphocyte subpopulations and splenocyte cytokine mRNA expressions in rats with polymicrobial sepsis.


METHODS
Rats were assigned to a control group and four experimental groups. The control group and groups 1 and 2 were fed a semipurified diet, and groups 3 and 4 had 20% soybean oil replaced by FO. After feeding the diets for 10 d, sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in the experimental groups, whereas sham operation was performed on the control group. TPN was maintained for 3 d after CLP or sham operation. The control group and groups 1 and 3 were infused with conventional TPN, whereas the TPN solution of groups 2 and 4 was supplemented with FO. All rats were sacrificed 3 d after the operation to examine their immune responses.


RESULTS
Messenger RNA expressions of interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in splenocytes were higher in groups 3 and 4 than in the control group and group 1. Interleukin-10 mRNA expression in group 3 was higher than in the control group and group 2. Blood CD4 percentage and CD4/CD8 ratio in group 1 were significantly lower, whereas no differences were observed in FO-supplemented groups compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
FO administration before and/or after CLP maintained blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations and modulated T-helper type 1 and 2 cytokine mRNA expressions in rats with polymicrobial sepsis.
Tsou
Shung-Sheng
SS
School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chiu
Wan-Chun
WC
Yeh
Chiu-Li
CL
Hou
Yu-Chen
YC
Yeh
Sung-Ling
SL
D000818:Animals; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells; D018418:Th2 Cells
D016207:Cytokines; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D012333:RNA, Messenger