Effect of Dietary Fatty Acid Composition on Th1/Th2 Polarization in Lymphocytes

Abstract

We demonstrated that differences in the composition of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, excluding eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic acid, were able to influence the Th1/Th2 balance of lymphocytes in humans as well as in mice, even with normal habitual dietary intake. Background: It has become increasingly clear that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)

Dietary long chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids prevent allergic sensitization to cow's milk protein in mice

“…Substitution of arachidonic acid by n‐3 LCPUFA did reduce plasma PGE 2 concentrations and may indirectly have suppressed immunoglobulin generation. Furthermore, IL‐4 and IL‐13 induce IgE isotype switching and production of these cytokines by Th2 cells as well as mast cells may be reduced by n‐3 LCPUFA . In addition, DHA was found to reduce IgE production by human B cells via the IL‐4 pathway or via an effect on CD40 .…”

Regulatory activity of polyunsaturated fatty acids in T-cell signaling

“…Wallace et al [35] have observed that feeding fish oil to mice induced a shift in the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio by a factor of four as compared to animals fed low fat diets. Mizota et al [36] have recently conducted a very elegant study in both humans and mice that were fed n-3 PUFA enriched diets. These investigators observed that the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 was significantly increased after n-3 PUFA supplementation.…”

The Optimal Lipid Formulation in Enteral Feeding in Critical Illness: Clinical Update and Review of the Literature

“…This becomes especially crucial during times of stress on the host [3]. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to exert immune-modulating effects on the organism both in cell culture and in vivo [4]. Large concentrations of omega-6 fats are reported to have immune-suppressing effects on humans by dampening the response of the reticulo-endothelial system (RES), as well as altering neutrophil and macrophage function [3].…”

“…AA serves as the precursor for the eicosanoid mediators of inflammation (prostaglandins PGE2 series, leukotrienes B4 series, and thromboxanes), and when present in excess, in relation to other cell membrane lipids, it has a net impact of increase in oxidative stress on the individual [4]. Studies have found that the typical American diet consists of a ratio of up to 30:1Omega-6 to Omega-3 fats .…”

“…The Paleolithic diet ingested by humans for much of evolution has been estimated at a 1-2:1 ratio [6]. Differences in the composition of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may also induce a shift in the proinflammatory Th1 to the less inflammatory Th2 classes of human lymphocytes [4]. Several studies indicate that a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids shifts the physiologic state to one that is prothrombotic and proaggregatory, although this has recently been questioned [5].…”