title: Low omega-6/omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios reduce hepatic C-reactive protein expression in apolipoprotein E-null mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Expression characteristics of C-reactive protein (CRP) for the omega-6/omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios have not been evaluated in the well-qualified experimental atherosclerotic mouse model. This work focused on characteristics of CRP expression in the liver of apolipoprotein E-null (apoE(-/-)) mice influenced by omega-6/omega-3 PUFA ratios.
  
  
  METHODS
  Varying ratios of omega-6/omega-3 PUFAs (group 1, 1.28; group 2, 5.03; group 3, 9.98; and group 4, 68.26, respectively) on hepatic and aortic CRP expressions were assessed in male apoE(-/-) mice fed a diet containing 5% (w/w) experimental fat for 6 wk. Hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma mRNA abundance, hepatic interleukin (IL)-6 protein level, atherosclerotic lesions, and serum cytokines including IL-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As the dietary ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids ascended, so did the expression of hepatic and aortic CRP and hepatic IL-6 protein. However, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma mRNA level had a tendency to decrease. Serum IL-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels did not show a statistical difference among the mice fed the four ratios of the omega-6/omega-3 PUFA diet. The group 4 mice developed a significant increase in atherosclerotic lesions compared with the other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicated that low ratios of omega-6/omega-3 PUFAs (1.28-9.98) downregulated the hepatic and aortic CRP expressions and reduced aortic en face lesions in apoE(-/-) mice compared with the high ratio of the omega-6/omega-3 PUFA diet.
authors.affiliation: The Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Miao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Liufeng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Shun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009154:Mutation; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D015850:Interleukin-6; D047495:PPAR gamma; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002097:C-Reactive Protein