Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Impact on Health and Disease Status

Over the last decades, the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been largely explored not only for their nutritional value but also for the numerous biological functions and therapeutic effects. The serum and erythrocyte levels of PUFAs depend on the genetic control of metabolism as well as the dietary intake and are considered to reflect the health and disease status of an individual. Two families of PUFAs, omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6), have gained much attention because of their involvement in the production of bioactive lipid mediators and therefore, a balanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio is crucial in maintaining the overall health of an individual. Omega-3 PUFAs, notably eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) have been shown to exert beneficial effects, possibly due to their lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and cardioprotective effects, whereas omega-6 fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6) exhibit the opposite properties. Even though, numerous epidemiological studies and clinical interventions have clearly established the effectiveness of omega-3 PUFAs in various pathological conditions including dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, some controversies do exist about the beneficial effects of omega-3 PUFAs and need to be clarified. Larger clinical trials with extended follow-up periods are required along with a careful dose selection, in order to confirm the clinical significance and efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs as therapeutic agents.

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Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids Increase Survival and Decrease Bacterial Load in Mice Subjected to Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Sepsis

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.01391-15 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 1205-1213 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Sara L. Svahn ◽

Marcus A. Ulleryd ◽

Louise Grahnemo ◽

Marcus Ståhlman ◽

Jan Borén ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Saturated Fatty Acids ◽

Bacterial Load ◽

Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Content Type ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Omega 6

Sepsis caused byStaphylococcus aureusis increasing in incidence. With the alarming use of antibiotics,S. aureusis prone to become methicillin resistant. Antibiotics are the only widely used pharmacological treatment for sepsis. Interestingly, mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids have better survival ofS. aureus-induced sepsis than mice fed HFD rich in saturated fatty acids (HFD-S). To investigate what component of polyunsaturated fatty acids, i.e., omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, exerts beneficial effects on the survival ofS. aureus-induced sepsis, mice were fed HFD rich in omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids for 8 weeks prior to inoculation withS. aureus. Further, mice fed HFD-S were treated with omega-3 fatty acid metabolites known as resolvins. Mice fed HFD rich in omega-3 fatty acids had increased survival and decreased bacterial loads compared to those for mice fed HFD-S afterS. aureus-induced sepsis. Furthermore, the bacterial load was decreased in resolvin-treated mice fed HFD-S afterS. aureus-induced sepsis compared with that in mice treated with vehicle. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids increase the survival ofS. aureus-induced sepsis by reversing the deleterious effect of HFD-S on mouse survival.

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Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Metabolites on Haemostasis—Current Perspectives in Cardiovascular Disease

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22052394 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 2394

Author(s):

Jacek Golanski ◽

Patrycja Szymanska ◽

Marcin Rozalski

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Blood Platelets ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Omega 6 ◽

Supporting Tool ◽

Higher Doses

The beneficial effects of long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) in cardioprotection are widely known and generally accepted. In this literature review, we have focused on the known and postulated mechanisms of action of omega-3 PUFAs and their metabolites on various components of the haemostatic system, in particular on blood platelets and endothelium. We have also made an attempt to provide a comprehensive review of epidemiological studies with particular regard to clinical trials. Notably, the results of these studies are contradictory, and some of them failed to report the beneficial effects of taking or supplementing omega-3 PUFAs in the diet. A potential explanation, in our opinion, could be the need to use higher doses of omega-3 PUFAs and a proper ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs. An additional problem which is difficult to solve is the use of a proper neutral placebo for interventional studies. Despite some controversies regarding the beneficial effects of supplementation of omega-3 PUFAs in cardiovascular disease, our review suggests that a promising aspect of future studies and applications is to focus on the anti-thrombotic properties of these compounds. An argument supporting this assumption is the recent use of omega-3 PUFAs as a supporting tool for the treatment of COVID-19 complications.

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Effects of Dietary n–3 and n–6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Inflammation and Cancerogenesis

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22136965 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (13) ◽

pp. 6965

Author(s):

Kamila P. Liput ◽

Adam Lepczyński ◽

Magdalena Ogłuszka ◽

Agata Nawrocka ◽

Ewa Poławska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Saturated Fatty Acids ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Metabolic Disturbances ◽

Cancer Models ◽

Omega 6 ◽

3 Omega

The dietary recommendation encourages reducing saturated fatty acids (SFA) in diet and replacing them with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) n–3 (omega–3) and n–6 (omega–6) to decrease the risk of metabolic disturbances. Consequently, excessive n–6 PUFAs content and high n–6/n–3 ratio are found in Western-type diet. The importance of a dietary n–6/n–3 ratio to prevent chronic diseases is linked with anti-inflammatory functions of linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n–3) and longer-chain n–3 PUFAs. Thus, this review provides an overview of the role of oxylipins derived from n–3 PUFAs and oxylipins formed from n–6 PUFAs on inflammation. Evidence of PUFAs’ role in carcinogenesis was also discussed. In vitro studies, animal cancer models and epidemiological studies demonstrate that these two PUFA groups have different effects on the cell growth, proliferation and progression of neoplastic lesions.

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Potential Role of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Pediatric Food Allergy

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu14010152 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 152

Author(s):

Marco Ugo Andrea Sartorio ◽

Erica Pendezza ◽

Serena Coppola ◽

Lorella Paparo ◽

Enza D'Auria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Food Allergy ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Age Groups ◽

Allergy Prevention ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Omega 6 ◽

Immune System Regulation ◽

Critical Age

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are involved both in immune system regulation and inflammation. In particular, within the PUFAs category, omega-3 (ω-3) may reduce inflammation, whereas omega-6 (ω-6) PUFAs are generally considered to have a proinflammatory effect. Recent evidence highlights an imbalance in the ω-3: ω-6 ratio with an increased intake of ω-6, as a consequence of the shift towards a westernized diet. In critical age groups such as infants, toddlers and young children, as well as pregnant and lactating women or fish allergic patients, ω-3 intake may be inadequate. This review aims to discuss the potential beneficial effects of PUFAs on pediatric food allergy prevention and treatment, both at prenatal and postnatal ages. Data from preclinical studies with PUFAs supplementation show encouraging effects in suppressing allergic response. Clinical studies results are still conflicting about the best timing and dosages of supplementation and which individuals are most likely to benefit; therefore, it is still not possible to draw firm conclusions. With regard to food-allergic children, it is still debated whether PUFAs could slow disease progression or not, since consistent data are lacking. In conclusion, more data on the effects of ω-3 PUFAs supplementation alone or in combination with other nutrients are warranted, both in the general and food allergic population.

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Beneficial Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Gestational Diabetes: Consequences in Macrosomia and Adulthood Obesity

Journal of Diabetes Research ◽

10.1155/2015/731434 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Akadiri Yessoufou ◽

Magloire P. Nekoua ◽

Adam Gbankoto ◽

Yohana Mashalla ◽

Kabirou Moutairou

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Animal Studies ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽

Immune Defense ◽

Lipid Lowering ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Beneficial Effects

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are increasingly being used to prevent cardiovascular diseases, including diabetes and obesity. In this paper, we report data on the observed effects of omega-3 PUFA on major metabolic disorders and immune system disruption during gestational diabetes and their consequences on macrosomia. While controversies still exist about omega-3 PUFA effects on antioxidant status regarding the level of omega-3 PUFA in diet supplementation, their lipid-lowering effects are unanimously recognized by researchers. Animal studies have shown that omega-3 PUFA contributes to the maintenance of the immune defense system by promoting the differentiation of T helper (Th) cell to a Th2 phenotype in diabetic pregnancy and by shifting the Th1/Th2 ratio from a deleterious proinflammatory Th1 phenotype to a protective anti-inflammatory Th2 phenotype in macrosomia and in adulthood obesity that results from macrosomia at birth. Based on the available evidence, international nutritional and food agencies recommend administration of omega-3 PUFA as triglyceride-lowering agents, for the prevention of cardiovascular disease risk and during human pregnancy and lactation. Furthermore, studies targeting humans are still required to explore application of the fatty acids as supplement in the management of gestational diabetes and inflammatory and immune diseases.

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