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A Potential Role for Gut Microbes in Mediating Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Comprehensive Review

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Abstract

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) have been associated with several inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), and found to have an impact on gut microbiota. In fact, some randomized controlled studies suggest benefits to IBD patients, but others do not. Our aim was to review recent evidence on the effects of omega-3 on IBD and establish the contribution of the gut microbiome. Omega-3 mediate anti-inflammatory effects in IBD through various mechanisms, including suppression of NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) signaling; this results in the repression of the nuclear factor-kappa B (Nf-kB) pathway and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Omega-3 can also affect gut microbiota and revert the bacterial community to patterns associated with healthy status by increasing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria and enhancing the mucosal gut barrier, thus promoting homeostasis. The combination of these immunoregulatory effects and anti-inflammation properties with the promotion of a balanced gut microbiome environment could suggest that omega-3 might benefit IBD patients. Considering the microbiota of IBD patients while using omega-3 might predict and improve omega-3 effectiveness. Combining omega-3 with bacteria-altering therapy, such as probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, may further enhance its efficacy; however, further studies are required to elucidate mechanisms and potential preventive or treatment roles of omega-3 in IBD.

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Fig. 1

Modified from Fabian CJ, Kimler BF, and Hursting SD. Omega-3 fatty acids for breast cancer prevention and survivorship. Breast cancer research. 2015 Dec;17(1):1–1

Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ALA:

α-Linolenic acid

AA:

Arachidonic acid

CD:

Crohn disease

COX:

Cyclooxygenase

CYP:

Cytochrome P450

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

DPA:

Docosapentanoic acid

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

FMT:

Fecal microbiota transplantation

GPR120:

G protein-coupled receptor 120

GI:

Gastrointestinal

GF:

Germ-free

HETEs:

Hydroxy eicosatetraenoic acids

IBDs:

Inflammatory bowel diseases

IL:

Interleukin

LT:

Leukotrienes

LA:

Linoleic acid

LOX:

Lipoxygenase

NGS:

Next-generation sequencing

NLRP3:

NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3

NF-KB:

Nuclear factor-kappa B

NOD2:

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2

NLRs:

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors

ω − 3:

Omega-3

ω − 6:

Omega-6

PBMCs:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells

PPAR γ:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ

PUFAs:

Polyunsaturated fatty acids

PG:

Prostaglandins

Tregs:

Regulatory T cells

RA:

Rheumatoid arthritis

SCFAs:

Short-chain fatty acids

Th1:

T helper 1

Th17:

T helper 17

TB:

Thromboxane

TLR4:

Toll-like receptor 4

UC:

Ulcerative colitis

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Acknowledgements

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Funding

This work was supported by a student award to NAF from the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute at University of Alberta; The Wine lab is funded by operating grants including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Weston Family Foundation. The authors declare there are no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2X8, Canada

    Nazanin Arjomand Fard, Michael Bording-Jorgensen & Eytan Wine

  2. Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada

    Nazanin Arjomand Fard & Eytan Wine

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Room 4-577, 11405 87Th Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada

    Michael Bording-Jorgensen & Eytan Wine

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NAF researched, wrote the manuscript, and designed the figures; MBJ revised the article; EW supervised the work and revised the article.

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Arjomand Fard, N., Bording-Jorgensen, M. & Wine, E. A Potential Role for Gut Microbes in Mediating Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Microbiol 80, 363 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-023-03482-y

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