Abstract
The n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic acid gives rise to the eicosanoid family of inflammatory mediators (prostaglandins, leukotrienes and related metabolites) and through these regulates the activities of inflammatory cells, the production of cytokines and the various balances within the immune system. Fish oil and oily fish are good sources of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Consumption of these fatty acids decreases the amount of arachidonic acid in cell membranes and so available for eicosanoid production. Thus, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids act as arachidonic acid antagonists. Components of both natural and acquired immunity, including the production of key inflammatory cytokines, can be affected by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Although some of the effects of n-3 fatty acids may be brought about by modulation of the amount and types of eicosanoids made, it is possible that these fatty acids might elicit some of their effects by eicosanoid-independent mechanisms. Such n-3 fatty acid-induced effects may be of use as a therapy for acute and chronic inflammation, and for disorders that involve an inappropriately-activated immune response.
Highlights
This study reports that polymorphisms in the promoter regions of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and TNF-β genes play a role in conferring sensitivity of TNF-α production to fish oil intervention [53]
The fatty acid composition of human inflammatory cells can be altered by increasing consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in the diet
This can lead to altered function including decreased generation of reactive oxygen species, arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids, inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules
Summary
Summary : The n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic acid gives rise to the eicosanoid family of inflammatory mediators (prostaglandins, leukotrienes and related metabolites) and through these regulates the activities of inflammatory cells, the production of cytokines and the various balances within the immune system. Eicosanoids provide a link between the fatty acid composition of cells and inflammation The principal functional role for arachidonic acid in inflammatory cells is as a substrate for synthesis of the eicosanoid family of bioactive mediators These include the prostaglandins (PG), thromboxanes, leukotrienes (LT), hydroxy and hydroperoxy eicosatetraenoic acids and lipoxins. Arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids are involved in modulating the intensity and duration of inflammatory responses and in regulating immune responses [see 20, 21 for reviews] Both LTB4 and PGE2 have a number of pro-inflammatory effects (table 1).
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