Fish-oil supplementation induces antiinflammatory gene expression profiles in human blood mononuclear cells.
BACKGROUND
Polyunsaturated fatty acids can have beneficial effects on human immune cells, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). However, the mechanisms of action of polyunsaturated fatty acids on immune cells are still largely unknown.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to examine the effects of supplementation with the polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on whole-genome PBMC gene expression profiles, in healthy Dutch elderly subjects participating in a double-blind trial, by using whole-genome transcriptomics analysis.


METHODS
The subjects were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups: 1) consumption of 1.8 g EPA+DHA/d (n = 36), 2) consumption of 0.4 g EPA+DHA/d (n = 37), or 3) consumption of 4.0 g high-oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSF)/d (n = 38). All supplements were given in capsules. Before and after 26 wk of intervention, blood samples were collected. Microarray analysis was performed on PBMC RNA from 23 subjects who received 1.8 g EPA+DHA/d and 25 subjects who received HOSF capsules. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed in all 111 subjects.


RESULTS
A high EPA+DHA intake changed the expression of 1040 genes, whereas HOSF intake changed the expression of only 298 genes. EPA+DHA intake resulted in a decreased expression of genes involved in inflammatory- and atherogenic-related pathways, such as nuclear transcription factor kappaB signaling, eicosanoid synthesis, scavenger receptor activity, adipogenesis, and hypoxia signaling.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are the first to show that intake of EPA+DHA for 26 wk can alter the gene expression profiles of PBMCs to a more antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic status. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00124852.
Bouwens
Mark
M
Nutrition, Metabolism and Genomics Group, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, 6703 HD Wageningen, Netherlands.
van de Rest
Ondine
O
Dellschaft
Neele
N
Bromhaar
Mechteld Grootte
MG
de Groot
Lisette C P G M
LC
Geleijnse
Johanna M
JM
Müller
Michael
M
Afman
Lydia A
LA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005395:Fish Oils; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D012313:RNA; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid