by Mark Bouwens, Lydia Afman, et al.
July 30, 2009
[Note: peripheral blood mononuclear cells are infection fighting components of the immune system.]
Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids can have beneficial effects on human immune cells, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). However, the mechanisms of action of polyunsaturated fatty acids on immune cells are still largely unknown.
Objective: The objective was to examine the effects of supplementation with the polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on whole-genome PBMC gene expression profiles, in healthy Dutch elderly subjects participating in a double-blind trial, by using whole-genome transcriptomics analysis.
Design: The subjects were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups:
1. Consumption of 1.8 g EPA+DHA/d (n = 36),
2. Consumption of 0.4 g EPA+DHA/d (n = 37), or
3. Consumption of 4.0 g high-oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSF)/d (n = 38).
All supplements were given in capsules. Before and after 26 weeks of intervention, blood samples were collected. Microarray analysis was performed on PBMC RNA from 23 subjects who received 1.8 g EPA+DHA/d and 25 subjects who received HOSF capsules. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed in all 111 subjects.
Results:
• A high EPA+DHA intake changed the expression of 1040 genes, whereas high-oleic acid sunflower oil intake changed the expression of only 298 genes.
• EPA+DHA intake resulted in a decreased expression of genes involved in inflammatory- and atherogenic-related [plaque forming] pathways, such as nuclear transcription factor kappaB signaling, eicosanoid synthesis, scavenger receptor activity, adipogenesis, and hypoxia signaling.
Conclusion: These results are the first to show that intake of EPA+DHA for 26 weeks can alter the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to a more antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic status. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00124852 ["The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in maintaining optimal mental health in elderly people."]
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Aug 2009. PMID: 19515734, by Bouwens M, van de Rest O, Dellschaft N, Grootte Bromhaar M, de Groot L, Geleijnse JM, Muller M, Afman LA. Nutrition, Metabolism & Genomics Group and Nutrition & Health Group, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University; Nutrigenomics Consortium, Top Institute Food & Nutrition, Wageningen, Netherlands. [E-mail: lydia.afman@wur.nl]
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