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Modulation of Inflammatory Cytokines by Omega-3 Fatty Acids

  • Jing X. Kang
  • Karsten H. Weylandt
Chapter
Part of the Subcellular Biochemistry book series (SCBI, volume 49)

Abstract

Many human diseases have been linked to inflammation, which is mediated by a number of chemical molecules including lipid mediators and cytokines. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids) are the precursors of the lipid mediators and play an important role in regulation of inflammation. Generally, omega-6 fatty acids (e.g. arachidonic acid) promote inflammation whereas omega-3 fatty acids (e.g. eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) have anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3 fatty acids dampen inflammation through multiple pathways. On the one hand, omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the formation of omega-6 fatty acids-derived pro-inflammatory eicosanoids (e.g. PGE2 and LTB4), and on the other hand these fatty acids can form several potent anti-inflammatory lipid mediators (e.g. resolvins and protectins). These together directly or indirectly suppress the activity of nuclear transcription factors, such as NFκB, and reduce the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, including COX-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β. This chapter focuses on the evidence from recent studies using new experimental models.

Keywords

Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-6 fatty acids Lipid mediators Cytokines Inflammation 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  • Jing X. Kang
    • 1
  • Karsten H. Weylandt
  1. 1.Department of MedicineMassachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUSA

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