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Sea-cod oil supplementation alters the course of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in BALB/c mice
A Saini1, K Harjai, S Chhibber
1BAMS Block, Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India. archana.pu@gmail.com
Abstract:
The existing reports on the role of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in infectious diseases are contradictory. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sea-cod oil on the course of respiratory tract infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae in BALB/c mice. Animals were given enteral sea-cod oil for a period of 30 and 60 days and challenged intra-tracheally with S. pneumoniae D39 serotype 2. The survival of animals and various inflammatory parameters, i.e. myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and leukotriene B(4) in the lung homogenates, were investigated. The inflammatory cytokines levels (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10) were also determined. Continuous sea-cod oil supplementation for 60 days significantly improved survival among the animals. A significant reduction in the bacterial load in the lungs of sea-cod oil-fed animals compared to the controls was observed. As the disease progressed, the reduced bacterial colonisation correlated well with the histopathological observation. This was accompanied by a decrease in the production of inflammatory mediators and cytokines in the lung homogenates. However, not even a minor difference was seen in animals given sea-cod oil supplementation for 30 days duration; therefore, long-term treatment was required to attain an effect. Sea-cod oil supplementation modulated the host immune response and, thus, protected the host from ensuing inflammatory damage due to S. pneumoniae-mediated infection.
Insights
Long-term sea-cod oil supplementation significantly improved survival and reduced bacterial load in mice with Streptococcus pneumoniae respiratory infections. This omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) treatment modulated immune response, reducing inflammation and protecting against infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Conflicting reports exist on omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and infectious diseases.
- The specific role of omega-3 PUFA in bacterial respiratory infections requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of sea-cod oil, rich in omega-3 PUFA, on Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced respiratory tract infection in BALB/c mice.
- To assess the impact of sea-cod oil on animal survival, bacterial load, and inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- Mice were supplemented with sea-cod oil for 30 or 60 days before intra-tracheal challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- Survival rates, lung bacterial load, and inflammatory parameters (MPO, MDA, NO, LTB4, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10) were measured.
Main Results:
- Sixty days of sea-cod oil supplementation significantly increased animal survival and reduced lung bacterial load.
- A decrease in inflammatory mediators and cytokines was observed in supplemented mice.
- Thirty days of supplementation showed no significant beneficial effect, indicating a need for long-term treatment.
Conclusions:
- Long-term (60-day) sea-cod oil supplementation effectively modulates the host immune response against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.
- Omega-3 PUFA from sea-cod oil offers protection against inflammatory damage in bacterial respiratory infections.
- Sustained omega-3 PUFA intake is crucial for achieving therapeutic benefits in this model.
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