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Modulation of blood cell gene expression by DHA supplementation in hypertriglyceridemic men

Kevin Dawson1, Ling Zhao, Yuriko Adkins

  • 1Center of Excellence in Nutritional Genomics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
|July 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in men with high triglycerides reduced cardiovascular disease risk factors. DHA suppressed inflammatory gene expression, including LDL receptor and cathepsin L1, offering new insights into its anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation previously reduced cardiovascular disease risk factors in hypertriglyceridemic men.
  • Inflammatory markers were among the risk factors positively impacted by DHA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the global gene expression patterns influenced by DHA supplementation.
  • To identify specific genes regulated by DHA in the context of inflammation and cardiovascular risk.

Main Methods:

  • Affymetrix GeneChip microarray analysis was performed on blood cells from hypertriglyceridemic men before and after DHA supplementation.
  • Blood cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle to simulate inflammatory conditions.
  • Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate differential gene expression.

Main Results:

  • DHA supplementation significantly suppressed the expression of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and cathepsin L1, both induced by LPS.
  • DHA also suppressed oxidized LDL receptor 1 (OLR1) expression, although LPS did not induce it.
  • Gene Ontology analysis revealed inverse regulation of genes related to immunity, host defense, and inflammatory responses by LPS and DHA.

Conclusions:

  • DHA supplementation demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects by modulating gene expression patterns.
  • This study identified novel genes regulated by DHA that are associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors.

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