title: Pharmacology and therapeutics of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in chronic inflammatory disease.
abstract: Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have well documented anti-inflammatory properties, and consequently therapeutic potential in chronic inflammatory diseases. Here we discuss the effects of n-3 PUFAs on various inflammatory pathways and how this leads to alterations in the function of inflammatory cells, most importantly endothelial cells and leukocytes. Strong evidence indicates n-3 PUFAs are beneficial as a dietary supplement in certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis; however for other conditions such as asthma, the data are less robust. A clearer understanding of the pharmacology of n-3 PUFAs will help to establish targets to modulate chronic inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, The University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Clara M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.affiliation: Human Development & Health Academic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
authors.forename: Philip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, The University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. Electronic address: g.e.rainger@bham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ed Rainger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
keywords: AA; ALA; Arachidonic acid; CD; COX; CVD; Crohn's disease; DHA; Docosahexaenoic acid; EC; EPA; Eicosanoid; Eicosapentaenoic acid; FFA; IBD; ICAM-1; IL; Inflammation; LA; LOX; LT; LX; NPD; Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid; PBMC; PD; PG; PI; RA; RCT; Resolvin; Rv; SPM; TNF; UC; VCAM-1; alpha-linolenic acid; cardiovascular disease; cyclooxygensae; docosahexaenoic acid; eicosapentaenoic acid; endothelial cells; free fatty acids; inflammatory bowel diseases; intercellular adhesion molecule-1; interleukin; leukotrienes; linoleic acid; lipoxin; lipoxygenase; neuroprotectin; n−3 PUFAs; omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; peripheral blood mononuclear cell; phosphatidylinositol; prostaglandin; protectin; randomised controlled trial; resolvin; rheumatoid arthritis; specialised pro-resolving mediators; tumour necrosis factor; ulcerative colitis; vascular cell adhesion molecule-1