Lipoprotein docosapentaenoic acid is associated with serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentration.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are thought to play important roles in inflammation. The n-3 series is considered as anti-inflammatory, and some studies have reported increased plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid pattern in chronic inflammatory conditions. In this study we sought to clarify relationships of the levels of arachidonic acid and the polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acid compositions of isolated LDL, HDL2 and HDL3 particles with matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a marker of inflammation.

RESULTS:

The subjects were divided into two groups: those with lower and those with higher than the median serum MMP-9 concentration. In all lipoprotein fractions, the mean percentage of docosapentaenoic acid (C22:5n-3) was higher in the group of subjects with higher MMP-9 level than in those with lower serum MMP-9 concentration (P < 0.01 for all). Likewise, the ratio of docosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) was higher in the subjects with higher MMP-9 compared with the lower MMP-9 group (P < 0.001 for all).

CONCLUSION:

So far, the evidence for an anti-inflammatory role of the n-3 PUFA has come from dietary interventions. Our results were obtained from a free-living population and indicate that there is a positive correlation between n-3 docosapentaenoic acid and MMP-9. What had triggered the rise in MMP-9 is not known, since serum level of MMP-9 is raised in many inflammatory conditions. These findings may indicate an increased biosynthesis of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in subclinical inflammation.

• Authors: Tiina Solakivi, Olli Jaakkola, Anne Kalela, Mari Pispa, Anne Salomäki, Terho Lehtimäki, Matti Höyhtyä, Hannu Jokela, Seppo T Nikkari
• Journal: Lipids in health and disease (Lipids Health Dis) Vol. 4 Pg. 8 (Apr 13 2005) ISSN: 1476-511X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 15826319 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
• Lipoproteins
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
• docosapentaenoic acid

Topics

• Adult
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated (blood)
• Female
• Humans
• Lipoproteins (blood)
• Male
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (blood, classification)
• Middle Aged