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Dietary fish oil enhances adhesion molecule and interleukin-6 expression in mice with polymicrobial sepsis
Chun-Sen Hsu1, Wan-Chun Chiu, Chiu-Li Yeh
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University Associated Wan-Fang Hospital, 111 Hsing-Long Road, Sec 3, Taipei, Taiwan 116, ROC.
Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of fish oil (FO) diet on plasma intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) levels and leucocyte integrin expression in polymicrobial sepsis. Mice were randomly assigned to a control group and an FO group. The control group was fed a medium-fat diet containing soyabean oil, whereas in the FO group, 70 % of the soyabean oil was replaced by FO for 3 weeks. After that, sepsis was induced by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in the experimental groups and mice were killed at 0, 6, 12 and 24 h, respectively, after CLP. Results showed that compared with the control group, plasma ICAM-1 levels were higher in the FO group 6 h after CLP. Intra-lymphocyte interferon-gamma expression in the FO group was lower, whereas IL-4 expression was higher than in the control group 12 and 24 h after CLP. The expression of leucocyte integrin was significantly higher in the FO group 12 and 24 h after CLP. The FO group had higher IL-6 levels at 12 h in the lungs, at 6 and 12 h in the kidneys, and at 6, 12 and 24 h in the intestines after CLP. The survival rate did not differ between the two groups after CLP. The present findings suggest that pretreatment with an FO diet enhances adhesion molecule and inflammatory cytokine expressions during sepsis, which might aggravate the inflammatory reaction and increase neutrophil infiltration into tissues. In addition, FO diet promotes the Th2-type response and suppresses cellular immune response in polymicrobial sepsis.
Insights
A fish oil (FO) diet increased adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines in mice with sepsis. This diet promoted a Th2 response, potentially worsening inflammation and neutrophil infiltration without affecting survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
- Sepsis Research
Background:
- Polymicrobial sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by a dysregulated immune response.
- Dietary interventions, such as fish oil (FO) supplementation, are being explored for their potential immunomodulatory effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a fish oil (FO) diet on inflammatory markers and immune cell responses in a murine model of polymicrobial sepsis.
- To assess the effects of FO on intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and leucocyte integrin expression.
Main Methods:
- Mice were fed either a control diet or an FO-rich diet for three weeks prior to inducing sepsis via caecal ligation and puncture (CLP).
- Plasma ICAM-1, intra-lymphocyte cytokine expression (Interferon-gamma, IL-4), leucocyte integrin, and tissue IL-6 levels were measured at various time points post-CLP.
- Survival rates were monitored.
Main Results:
- The FO diet group exhibited elevated plasma ICAM-1 levels at 6 hours post-CLP.
- FO diet led to lower interferon-gamma and higher IL-4 expression, indicating a shift towards a Th2-type response.
- Leucocyte integrin expression and tissue IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the FO group post-CLP.
- No significant difference in survival rates was observed between the control and FO groups.
Conclusions:
- Pretreatment with an FO diet enhances adhesion molecule and inflammatory cytokine expression during sepsis.
- FO diet may aggravate inflammatory responses and increase neutrophil infiltration in polymicrobial sepsis.
- The FO diet promotes a Th2-type immune response while suppressing the cellular immune response in this sepsis model.
