Author
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WU, DAYONG - TUFTS-HNRCA |
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Submitted to: Current Opinion in Lipidology
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2003 Publication Date: 2/1/2004 Citation: WU, D. MODULATION OF IMMUNE AND INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES BY DIETARY LIPIDS. CURRENT OPINIONS IN LIPIDOLOGY. 2004;15:43-47. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Recent studies showed that even though there was a lack of immunologic effect in subjects consuming increased n-3 PUFA, the tissue PUFA composition was found to be correlated with changes in certain indices of immune function in the subjects consuming habitual diets. The subjects or animals with disordered immune system may be more reactive to the PUFA supplementation and genetic variation is also a determinant. When conventional polyclonal stimulation failed to show effect of n-3 PUFA on T cell proliferation and their secretion of interleukin (IL)-2, these functions of T cells activated by a specific antigen were found to be reduced by n-3 PUFA. N-3 PUFA were shown to reduce both resistance to bacterial infection and host survival. The studies on other non-classical fatty acids also demonstrated interesting findings. Proposed immuno-enhancing effect of CLA in some studies has failed to be confirmed by the other studies and even the adverse effect has been implied. Trans fatty acids are shown to increase production of inflammatory cytokines, which may contribute to their pro-atherogenic property. Current data suggest that intake of PUFA, particularly n-3 PUFA, can modulate immune and inflammatory responses, although the discrepancy is still present to date. Some recent studies have provided useful information explaining the possible underlying reasons. The factors such as genetic variation, health status, disease, immune response stage (naïve vs. memory), stimulation type (specific antigen vs. non-specific mitogen), and possibly age, all contribute to the responsiveness to PUFA supplementation in terms of immune function. |
