Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2014
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids improve host response in chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in mice
Maud Pierre1, Marie-Odile Husson, Rozenn Le Berre
1Faculté de Médecine, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Université de Lille and CHRU de Lille, France.
Abstract:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacilli frequently encountered in human pathology. This pathogen is involved in a large number of nosocomial infections and chronic diseases. Herein we investigated the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection. C57BL/6 mice were fed for 5 wk with specifically designed diets with high contents in either omega-3 (omega-3) or omega-6 PUFA and compared to a control diet. P. aeruginosa included in agarose beads was then instilled intratracheally, and the animals were studied for 7 days. On the 4th day, the mice fed with the omega-3 diet had a higher lean body mass gain and a lower omega-6:omega-3 ratio of fatty acids extracted from the lung tissue compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). The omega-3 group had the lowest mortality. Distal alveolar fluid clearance (DAFC) as well as the inflammatory response and the cellular recruitment were higher in the omega-3 group on the 4th day. The effect on DAFC was independent of alpha-epithelial Na(+) channels (alpha-ENaC), beta-ENaC, and alpha(1)-Na-K-ATPase mRNA expressions, which were not altered by the different diets. In conclusion, a diet enriched in omega-3 PUFA can change lung membrane composition and improve survival in chronic pneumonia. This effect on survival is probably multifactorial involving the increased DAFC capacity as well as the optimization of the initial inflammatory response. This work suggests that a better control of the omega-6/omega-3 PUFA balance may represent an interesting target in the prevention and/or control of P. aeruginosa infection in patients.
Insights
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) improved survival in chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections by enhancing lung fluid clearance and modulating inflammation. Balancing omega-6/omega-3 PUFA may aid in preventing P. aeruginosa infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of nosocomial and chronic infections.
- The role of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in chronic P. aeruginosa lung infections requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA-enriched diets on chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection in a mouse model.
- To determine the impact of PUFA on host defense mechanisms, including lung fluid clearance and inflammatory responses.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6 mice were fed diets high in omega-3 or omega-6 PUFA for 5 weeks.
- P. aeruginosa was instilled intratracheally, and outcomes were monitored for 7 days.
- Lung tissue fatty acid composition, body mass, mortality, distal alveolar fluid clearance (DAFC), and inflammatory markers were assessed.
Main Results:
- Mice fed an omega-3 PUFA-enriched diet exhibited higher lean body mass gain and a reduced omega-6:omega-3 ratio in lung tissue.
- The omega-3 group demonstrated the lowest mortality rate and enhanced DAFC on day 4.
- Increased inflammatory response and cellular recruitment were observed in the omega-3 group, independent of key ion channel gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Dietary enrichment with omega-3 PUFA improves survival in chronic P. aeruginosa pneumonia by enhancing lung membrane composition and DAFC.
- The beneficial effects are multifactorial, involving improved fluid clearance and optimized inflammatory responses.
- Modulating the omega-6/omega-3 PUFA balance presents a potential therapeutic target for P. aeruginosa infections.
