Premium
Contrasting Effects of n‐3 and n‐6 Fatty Acids on Cyclooxygenase‐2 in Model Systems for Arthritis
Author(s) -
Hurst Samantha,
Rees Sarah G.,
Randerson Peter F.,
Caterson Bruce,
Harwood John L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/s11745-009-3347-x
Subject(s) - polyunsaturated fatty acid , cyclooxygenase , eicosapentaenoic acid , arachidonic acid , arthritis , clinical chemistry , inflammation , chemistry , lipidology , prostaglandin , biochemistry , fatty acid , medicine , endocrinology , enzyme
Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) is intimately involved in symptoms of arthritis while dietary n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are thought to be beneficial. In these experiments, using both bovine and human in vitro systems that mimic features of arthritis, we show that the n‐3 PUFA eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is able to reduce mRNA and protein levels of COX‐2. Activity, as assessed through prostaglandin E 2 formation, was also reduced in a dose‐dependent manner. These effects of EPA contrasted noticeably with the n‐6 PUFA, arachidonic acid. The data provide direct evidence for a molecular mechanism by which dietary n‐3 PUFA, such as EPA, can reduce inflammation and, hence, associated symptoms in arthritis.