Abstract
The Mediterranean diet, containing valuable nutrients such as n-3 long chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and other fat-soluble micronutrients, is known for its health promoting and anti-inflammatory effects. Its valuable elements might help in the battle against the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD), including the development of allergic diseases and other (chronic) inflammatory diseases. The fat fraction of the Mediterranean diet contains bioactive fatty acids but can also serve as a matrix to dissolve and increase the uptake of fat-soluble vitamins and phytochemicals, such as luteolin, quercetin, resveratrol and lycopene with known immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capacities. Especially n-3 LCPUFAs such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) derived from marine oils can target specific receptors or signaling cascades, act as eicosanoid precursors and/or alter membrane fluidity and lipid raft formation, hereby exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties. Beyond n-3 LCPUFAs, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K1/2 have the potential to affect pro-inflammatory signaling cascades by interacting with receptors or activating/inhibiting signaling proteins or phosphorylation in immune cells (DCs, T-cells, mast cells) involved in allergic sensitization or the elicitation/effector phase of allergic reactions. Moreover, fat-soluble plant-derived phytochemicals can manipulate signaling cascades, mostly by interacting with other receptors or signaling proteins compared to those modified by fat-soluble vitamins, suggesting potential additive or synergistic actions by applying a combination of these nutrients which are all part of the regular Mediterranean diet. Research concerning the effects of phytochemicals such as polyphenols has been hampered due to their poor bio-availability. However, their solubility and uptake are improved by applying them within the dietary fat matrix. Alternatively, they can be prepared for targeted delivery by means of pharmaceutical approaches such as encapsulation within liposomes or even unique nanoparticles. This review illuminates the molecular mechanisms of action and possible immunomodulatory effects of n-3 LCPUFAs and fat-soluble micronutrients from the Mediterranean diet in allergic disease development and allergic inflammation. This will enable us to further appreciate how to make use of the beneficial effects of n-3 LCPUFAs, fat-soluble vitamins and a selection of phytochemicals as active biological components in allergy prevention and/or symptom reduction.
Highlights
Reviewed by: Cristina Lopez-Vicario, Hospital Clınic de Barcelona, Spain Jelena Radosavljevic, University of Belgrade, Serbia Berber Vlieg-Boerstra, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis (OLVG), Netherlands
Fatsoluble plant-derived phytochemicals can manipulate signaling cascades, mostly by interacting with other receptors or signaling proteins compared to those modified by fat-soluble vitamins, suggesting potential additive or synergistic actions by applying a combination of these nutrients which are all part of the regular Mediterranean diet
This review illuminates the molecular mechanisms of action and possible immunomodulatory effects of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and fat-soluble micronutrients from the Mediterranean diet in allergic disease
Summary
Providing asthmatic women or their offspring with a lower daily dose of n-3 LCPUFAs (158 mg from week 36 of gestation until 6 months of breastfeeding or formula feeding) did not prevent allergic sensitization It reduced wheeze and bronchodilator use especially in offspring with relatively high n-3 LCPUFAs plasma levels at 18 month and atopic cough at 3 years of age (Mihrshahi et al, 2004; Peat et al, 2004). Pollen-induced hay fever and asthma in adults was not prevented by a 6 month intervention with daily 5.4 g of EPA and DHA (Thien et al, 1993) These studies indicate that early life intervention with n-3 LCPUFAs may help to reduce the asthma risk, but treatment of allergic asthma using n-3 LCPUFAs is not effective in lowering symptoms. Fatsoluble components like vitamins, polyphenols, stilbenes, and carotenoids may be capable of adding to these effects, since pre-clinical studies clearly show their potential in allergy protection
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