title: Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory mediators and splenocyte cytokine mRNA expressions in rats with polymicrobial sepsis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shung-Sheng
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Tsou
authors.forename: Wan-Chun
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Chiu-Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Yu-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Sung-Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Yeh
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D012333:RNA, Messenger