Inhibition of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 6 production by mononuclear cells following dietary fish-oil supplementation in healthy men and response to antioxidant co-supplementation.

Abstract

Increased dietary consumption of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (20 : 5n-3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22 : 6n-6; DHA) is associated with their incorporation into circulating phospholipid and increased production of lipid peroxide metabolites. The relationship between peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) function, n-3 PUFA intake and antioxidant co-supplementation is poorly defined. We therefore investigated tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL) 6 production by PBMC and phospholipid fatty acid composition in plasma and erythrocytes of healthy male subjects (n 16) receiving supplemental intakes of 0.3, 1.0 and 2.0 g EPA+DHA/d, as consecutive 4-week courses. All subjects were randomised in a double-blind manner to receive a concurrent antioxidant supplement (200 microg Se, 3 mg Mn, 30 mg D-alpha-tocopheryl succinate, 90 mg ascorbic acid, 450 microg vitamin A (beta-carotene and retinol)) or placebo. There was a positive dose-dependent relationship between dietary n-3 PUFA intake and EPA and DHA incorporation into plasma phosphatidylcholine and erythrocyte phosphatidylethanolamine, with a tendency towards a plateau at higher levels of intake. Production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 by PBMC decreased with increasing n-3 PUFA intake but tended towards a 'U-shaped' dose response. Both responses appeared to be augmented by antioxidant co-supplementation at intermediate supplementary n-3 PUFA intakes. Thus, increased dietary n-3 PUFA consumption resulted in defined but contrasting patterns of modulation of phospholipid fatty acid composition and PBMC function, which were further influenced by antioxidant intake.

• Authors: Timothy Trebble, Nigel K Arden, Mike A Stroud, Stephen A Wootton, Graham C Burdge, Elizabeth A Miles, Anne B Ballinger, Rachel L Thompson, Philip C Calder
• Journal: The British journal of nutrition (Br J Nutr) Vol. 90 Issue 2 Pg. 405-12 (Aug 2003) ISSN: 0007-1145 [Print] England
• PMID: 12908901 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
• Fish Oils
• Interleukin-6
• Phospholipids
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Docosahexaenoic Acids
• Malondialdehyde
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid

Topics

• Adult
• Antioxidants (administration & dosage)
• Dietary Supplements
• Docosahexaenoic Acids (analysis)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid
• Erythrocytes (metabolism)
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated (analysis)
• Fish Oils (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (biosynthesis)
• Male
• Malondialdehyde (blood)
• Monocytes (metabolism)
• Phospholipids (analysis, blood)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (biosynthesis)