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Short-term fish oil supplementation improved innate immunity, but increased ex vivo oxidation of LDL in man--a pilot
M E Turini1, G L Crozier, A Donnet-Hughes
1Nestec Ltd., Nestlé Research Center, Department of Nutrition, Lausanne, Switzerland. marco.turini@rdls.nestle.com
Background:
Fish and fish oils are rich in the two long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3). The n-3 LCPUFAs have been reported to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular functions, but their role in relation to immune functions is still controversial.
Aim Of The Study:
The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of supplementation with fish oil on immune cell functions in human subjects. We have also assessed the effects on plasma lipids, antioxidant status and susceptibility of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) to oxidative stress. The antioxidant status was determined by measuring plasma vitamin C, tocopherols and carotenoids in plasma and LDL, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in red blood cells.
Design:
For 30 days, 10 volunteers ingested 25 g/d of either fish oil, providing n-3 LCPUFAs (7.5 g), or high-oleic sunflower oil, providing monounsaturated fatty acids mainly as oleic acid (22 g). The oils contained similar profiles of tocopherols. At day 0 and day 30, blood samples were drawn by venipuncture for plasma lipid and antioxidant analyses and lipoprotein isolation, and for isolation and functional tests of mononuclear cells and granulocytes. Fatty acid profiles of im mune cells and LDL were also determined.
Results:
Fish oil supplementation resulted in an accumulation of n-3 LCPUFAs (EPA, DHA) in LDL and immune cells. The phagocytic activity, a measure of immune cell activity, was increased in both groups. Whereas the plasma and LDL antioxidant status do not appear to be affected by fish oil supplementation, an increased susceptibility of LDL to oxidation was observed in these healthy volunteers.
Conclusions:
The optimal amounts of n-3 fatty acids required to modulate immune functions remain to be established. In addition, adequate levels of antioxidant protection need to be provided during fish oil supplementation.
