title: Docosahexaenoic acid reduces inflammation and joint destruction in mice with collagen-induced arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), alone and in combination with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis, collagen induced arthritis (CIA).
  
  
  METHODS
  The CIA was induced in DBA/1OlaHsd mice by the injection of bovine type II collagen in Freunds's complete adjuvant on days 0 and 21. Mice were fed modified diets containing DHA and/or EPA for 4 weeks prior to the initial collagen injection until study termination at day 45. The severity of CIA was assessed by measuring erythema, edema and mobility of the digits on the fore and hind paws, as well as histology. The level of serum anti-collagen antibodies was determined by ELISA. The ex vivo effects of DHA and/or EPA on splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production were evaluated by BrdU method and ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prophylactic treatment with DHA, and not DHA/EPA, significantly reduced arthritis severity and joint damage. Treatment with DHA also decreased anti-collagen (CII) antibodies in vivo, downregulated interleukin-1β, interferonγ and upregulated protective interleukin-10 ex vivo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prophylactic treatment with DHA was efficacious in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis and may be a useful intervention strategy against inflammatory arthritis.
authors.affiliation: DSM Nutritional Products, 6480 Dobbin Road, Columbia, MD, 21045, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Ying-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bindi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dangi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paul Zimmer
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nauroth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D033023:Foot Joints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D024043:Collagen Type II; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids