title: Protection against fine particle-induced pulmonary and systemic inflammation by omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
abstract: Exposure to fine particulate matter, such as through air pollution, has been linked to the increased incidence of chronic diseases. However, few measures have been taken to reduce the health risks associated with fine particle exposure. The identification of safe and effective methods to protect against fine particle exposure-related damage is urgently needed.
  
  
  
  We used synthetic, non-toxic, fluorescent fine particles to investigate the physical distribution of inhaled fine particles and their effects on pulmonary and systemic inflammation in mice. Tissue levels of omega-3 fatty acids were elevated via dietary supplementation or the fat-1 transgenic mouse model. Markers of pulmonary and systemic inflammation were assessed.
  
  
  
  We discovered that fine particulate matter not only accumulates in the lungs but can also penetrate the pulmonary barrier and travel into other organs, including the brain, liver, spleen, kidney, and testis. These particles induced both pulmonary and systemic inflammation and increased oxidative stress. We also show that elevating tissue levels of omega-3 fatty acids was effective in reducing fine particle-induced inflammation, whether as a preventive method (prior to exposure) or as an intervention (after exposure).
  
  
  
  These results advance our understanding of how fine particles contribute to disease development and suggest that increasing tissue omega-3 levels may be a promising nutritional means for reducing the risk of diseases induced by particle exposure.
  
  
  
  Our findings demonstrate that elevating tissue omega-3 levels can prevent and treat fine particle-induced health problems and thereby present an immediate, practical solution for reducing the disease burden of air pollution.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Lipid Medicine and Technology (LLMT), Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA; Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, China.
authors.forename: Xiang-Yong
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Lipid Medicine and Technology (LLMT), Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Lipid Medicine and Technology (LLMT), Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA.
authors.forename: Ying-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Lipid Medicine and Technology (LLMT), Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA.
authors.forename: Chih-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Lipid Medicine and Technology (LLMT), Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA.
authors.forename: Victor J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Lipid Medicine and Technology (LLMT), Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA. Electronic address: kang.jing@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Jing X
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010316:Particle Size; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D020011:Protective Agents
keywords: Fine particulate matter; Nutritional intervention; Omega-3 fatty acids; Oxidative stress; Pulmonary inflammation; Systemic inflammation