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Fish oil supplementation in early infancy modulates developing infant immune responses
N D'Vaz1, S J Meldrum, J A Dunstan
1School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
Summary
Postnatal fish oil supplementation increased infant levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. This was associated with a reduced allergic immune response, suggesting a protective effect against allergies in infants.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Allergy
Background:
- Maternal fish oil intake during pregnancy is linked to altered infant immunity and reduced allergy risk.
- Early life immune programming is crucial for preventing allergic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of early postnatal fish oil supplementation on infant cellular immune function.
- To assess the relationship between fish oil intake and allergic disease development in infants at 6 months of age.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind randomized controlled trial involving 420 high-atopic-risk infants.
- Infants received fish oil (containing docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]) or control oil from birth to 6 months.
- Immune assessments at 6 months included fatty acid levels, cytokine responses, T cell subsets, and HLA-DR expression.
Main Results:
- Fish oil supplementation significantly increased infant DHA and EPA levels, while decreasing arachidonic acid (AA).
- The fish oil group showed lower Interleukin-13 (IL-13) responses to allergens and higher Interferon-gamma (IFNγ) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) responses to mitogens.
- Higher DHA levels correlated with reduced Th2 responses to specific allergens like beta-lactoglobulin (BLG).
Conclusions:
- Postnatal fish oil supplementation enhances infant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels.
- This supplementation is associated with a shift from Th2 to Th1 immune responses, potentially offering allergy protection.
- Results support the immunomodulatory role of n-3 PUFA in preventing infant allergies.
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