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Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPAn‐6) Algal Oils Reduce Inflammatory Mediators in Human Peripheral Mononuclear Cells In Vitro and Paw Edema In Vivo
Author(s) -
Nauroth Julie M.,
Liu Ying Chun,
Van Elswyk Mary,
Bell Rebecca,
Hall Eileen Bailey,
Chung Gloria,
Arterburn Linda M.
Publication year - 2010
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/s11745-010-3406-3
Subject(s) - docosapentaenoic acid , docosahexaenoic acid , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , lipidology , in vivo , in vitro , clinical chemistry , chemistry , pharmacology , biochemistry , fatty acid , polyunsaturated fatty acid , medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
The anti‐inflammatory activity associated with fish oil has been ascribed to the long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFA), predominantly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Here we examined the anti‐inflammatory effects of two DHA‐rich algal oils, which contain little EPA, and determined the contribution of the constituent fatty acids, particularly DHA and docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn‐6). In vitro, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated Interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) and Tumor Necrosis Factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) secretion in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was inhibited with apparent relative potencies of DPAn‐6 (most potent) > DHA > EPA. In addition, DPAn‐6 decreased intracellular levels of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and was a potent inhibitor of pro‐inflammatory prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. DHA/DPAn‐6‐rich DHA‐S™ (DHA‐S) algal oil was more effective at reducing edema in rats than DHA‐rich DHA‐T™ (DHA‐T), suggesting that DPAn‐6 has anti‐inflammatory properties. Further in vivo analyses demonstrated that feeding DPAn‐6 alone, provided as an ethyl ester, reduced paw edema to an extent approaching that of indomethacin and enhanced the anti‐inflammatory activity of DHA when given in combination. Together, these results demonstrate that DPAn‐6 has anti‐inflammatory activity and enhances the effect of DHA in vitro and in vivo. Thus, DHA‐S algal oil may have potential for use in anti‐inflammatory applications.