Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

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Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

JoAnn Guest

Jan 07, 2007 09:11 PST

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Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=4308

 

Author:

 

Simopoulos AP.

 

Source:

 

J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 Dec;21(6):495-505.

 

Abstract:

 

Among the fatty acids, it is the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

(PUFA) which possess the most potent immunomodulatory activities,

and

among the omega-3 PUFA, those from fish oil-eicosapentaenoic acid

(EPA)

and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)--are more biologically potent than

alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

 

Some of the effects of omega-3 PUFA are brought about by modulation

of

the amount and types of eicosanoids made, and other effects are

elicited

by eicosanoid-independent mechanisms, including actions upon

intracellular signaling pathways, transcription factor activity and

gene

expression.

Animal experiments and clinical intervention studies indicate that

omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and,

therefore,

might be useful in the management of inflammatory and autoimmune

diseases. Coronary heart disease, major depression, aging and cancer

are

characterized by an increased level of interleukin 1 (IL-1), a

proinflammatory cytokine.

 

Similarly, arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and lupus

erythematosis are autoimmune diseases characterized by a high level

of

IL-1 and the proinflammatory leukotriene LTB(4) produced by omega-6

fatty acids.

 

There have been a number of clinical trials assessing the benefits

of

dietary supplementation with fish oils in several inflammatory and

autoimmune diseases in humans, including rheumatoid arthritis,

Crohn's

disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus,

multiple sclerosis and migraine headaches.

 

Many of the placebo-controlled trials of fish oil in chronic

inflammatory diseases reveal significant benefit, including

decreased disease activity and a lowered use of anti-inflammatory

drugs.

 

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets