An update on the role of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory and degenerative diseases.
Inflammation is involved in the pathophysiology of many chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases. Several studies have evidenced important anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs). This review illustrates current knowledge about the efficacy of n-3 LC-PUFAs (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), particularly) in preventing and/or treating several chronic inflammatory conditions (inflammatory bowel diseases and rheumatoid arthritis) as well as their potential benefits on neurodegenerative diseases. It is well established that n-3 LC-PUFAs are substrates for synthesis of novel series of lipid mediators (e.g., resolvins, protectins, and maresins) with potent anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving properties, which have been proposed to partly mediate the protective and beneficial actions of n-3 LC-PUFAs. Here, we briefly summarize current knowledge from preclinical studies analyzing the actions of EPA- and DHA-derived resolvins and protectins on pathophysiological models of rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology and Center for Nutrition Research, University of Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain.
Silvia
S
Lorente-Cebrián
André G V
AG
Costa
Santiago
S
Navas-Carretero
María
M
Zabala
Laura M
LM
Laiglesia
J Alfredo
JA
Martínez
María J
MJ
Moreno-Aliaga
D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018957:CD59 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
D018957:CD59 Antigens; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid