Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation
Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation
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.
arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, fish oil, inflammation, immune function, cytokine, eicosanoid, prostaglandin, leukotriene, monocyte, macrophage
38-45
Calder, P.C.
1797e54f-378e-4dcb-80a4-3e30018f07a6
2004
Calder, P.C.
1797e54f-378e-4dcb-80a4-3e30018f07a6
Calder, P.C.
(2004)
Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation.
Oleagineux Corps gras Lipides, 11 (1), .
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.
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Published date: 2004
Keywords:
arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, fish oil, inflammation, immune function, cytokine, eicosanoid, prostaglandin, leukotriene, monocyte, macrophage
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Local EPrints ID: 25340
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/25340
PURE UUID: aabd0ec2-bf7b-4cb8-9dc9-5116517f9409
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Date deposited: 06 Apr 2006
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 02:41
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