BCFA suppresses LPS induced IL-8 mRNA expression in human intestinal epithelial cells

Branched chain fatty acids (BCFA) are components of common food fats and are major constituents of the normal term human newborn GI tract. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been suggested to reduce the risk and development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD); however, little is known about the influence of BCFA on inflammation. We investigated the effect of BCFA on interleukin (IL)-8 and NF-κB production in a human intestinal epithelial cell line (Caco-2). Cells were pre-treated with specific BCFA, or DHA, or EPA, and then activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Both anteiso- and iso- BCFA reduce IL-8. Anteiso-BCFA more effectively suppressed IL-8 than iso-BCFA in LPS stimulated Caco-2 cells. However BCFA in general were less effective than DHA or EPA. Activated BCFA-treated cells expressed less of the cell surface Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) compared to controls. These are the first data to show the reduction of pro-inflammatory markers in human cells mediated by BCFA.