Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory processes: nutrition or pharmacology?

Abstract

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are n-3 fatty acids found in oily fish and fish oil supplements. These fatty acids are able to inhibit partly a number of aspects of inflammation including leucocyte chemotaxis, adhesion molecule expression and leucocyte-endothelial adhesive interactions, production of eicosanoids like prostaglandins and leukotrienes from the n-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid, production of inflammatory cytokines and T cell reactivity. In parallel, EPA gives rise to eicosanoids that often have lower biological potency than those produced from arachidonioc acid and EPA and DHA give rise to anti-inflammatory and inflammation resolving resolvins and protectins. Mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory actions of n-3 fatty acids include altered cell membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition, disruption of lipid rafts, inhibition of activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B so reducing expression of inflammatory genes, activation of the anti-inflammatory transcription factor NR1C3 (i.e. peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ) and binding to the G protein coupled receptor GPR120. These mechanisms are interlinked. In adult humans, an EPA plus DHA intake greater than 2 g day⁻¹ seems to be required to elicit anti-inflammatory actions, but few dose finding studies have been performed. Animal models demonstrate benefit from n-3 fatty acids in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and asthma. Clinical trials of fish oil in patients with RA demonstrate benefit supported by meta-analyses of the data. Clinical trails of fish oil in patients with IBD and asthma are inconsistent with no overall clear evidence of efficacy.

• Authors: Philip C Calder
• Journal: British journal of clinical pharmacology (Br J Clin Pharmacol) Vol. 75 Issue 3 Pg. 645-62 (Mar 2013) ISSN: 1365-2125 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22765297 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2012 The Author. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Chemokines
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Fish Oils

Topics

• Adult
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• Chemokines (pharmacology)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Dietary Supplements
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (pharmacology)
• Fish Oils (pharmacology)
• Functional Food
• Humans
• Inflammation (drug therapy)
• Models, Animal