title: Omega-3 fatty acids reduce adipose tissue macrophages in human subjects with insulin resistance.
abstract: Fish oils (FOs) have anti-inflammatory effects and lower serum triglycerides. This study examined adipose and muscle inflammatory markers after treatment of humans with FOs and measured the effects of ω-3 fatty acids on adipocytes and macrophages in vitro. Insulin-resistant, nondiabetic subjects were treated with Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters (4 g/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Plasma macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) levels were reduced by FO, but the levels of other cytokines were unchanged. The adipose (but not muscle) of FO-treated subjects demonstrated a decrease in macrophages, a decrease in MCP-1, and an increase in capillaries, and subjects with the most macrophages demonstrated the greatest response to treatment. Adipose and muscle ω-3 fatty acid content increased after treatment; however, there was no change in insulin sensitivity or adiponectin. In vitro, M1-polarized macrophages expressed high levels of MCP-1. The addition of ω-3 fatty acids reduced MCP-1 expression with no effect on TNF-α. In addition, ω-3 fatty acids suppressed the upregulation of adipocyte MCP-1 that occurred when adipocytes were cocultured with macrophages. Thus, FO reduced adipose macrophages, increased capillaries, and reduced MCP-1 expression in insulin-resistant humans and in macrophages and adipocytes in vitro; however, there was no measureable effect on insulin sensitivity.
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Spencer
authors: Brian S
authors: BS
authors: Finlin
authors: Resat
authors: R
authors: Unal
authors: Beibei
authors: B
authors: Zhu
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: Morris
authors: Lindsey R
authors: LR
authors: Shipp
authors: Jonah
authors: J
authors: Lee
authors: R Grace
authors: RG
authors: Walton
authors: Akosua
authors: A
authors: Adu
authors: Rod
authors: R
authors: Erfani
authors: Marilyn
authors: M
authors: Campbell
authors: Robert E
authors: RE
authors: McGehee
authors: Charlotte A
authors: CA
authors: Peterson
authors: Philip A
authors: PA
authors: Kern
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002196:Capillaries / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; C405603:Omacor