Cited by 364Fatty Acid Research and HealthInflammatory mediators and NSAID effectsEdible Oils Quality and Analysis

n -3 Fatty acids, inflammation and immunity: new mechanisms to explain old actions

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Calder, Philip C.·2013·Proceedings of the Nutrition Society

Abstract

Numerous effects of n -3 fatty acids EPA and DHA on functional responses of cells involved in inflammation and immunity have been described. Fatty acid-induced modifications in membrane order and in the availability of substrates for eicosanoid synthesis are long-standing mechanisms that are considered important in explaining the effects observed. More recently, effects on signal transduction pathways and on gene expression profiles have been identified. Over the last 10 years or so, significant advances in understanding the mechanisms of action of n -3 fatty acids have been made. These include the identification of new actions of lipid mediators that were already described and of novel interactions among those mediators and the description of an entirely new family of lipid mediators, resolvins and protectins that have anti-inflammatory actions and are critical to the resolution of inflammation. It is also recognised that EPA and DHA can inhibit activation of the prototypical inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB. Recent studies suggest three alternative mechanisms by which n -3 fatty acids might have this effect. Within T-cells, as well as other cells of relevance to immune and inflammatory responses, EPA and DHA act to disrupt very early events involving formation of the structures termed lipid rafts which bring together various proteins to form an effective signalling platform. In summary, recent research has identified a number of new mechanisms of action that help to explain previously identified effects of n -3 fatty acids on inflammation and immunity.

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  • Once absorbed, omega-3 fatty acids become part of cell membranes and can modulate membrane-bound enzyme activity and cell signaling pathways.

    “Once absorbed, Ω3FAs become part of the cell membranes and have the ability to affect several of their properties, including modulating the activity of membrane-bound enzymes and cell signaling pathways [53,54].”
  • Eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid are considered pro-inflammatory.

    “For example, eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, are considered to be pro-inflammatory [61].”

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Authors
Calder, P. C.
Affiliations
University of Southampton (GB)
Corresponding author
Calder, Philip C.
Venue
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
Published
2013-05-14
Volume
72
Issue
3
Pages
326-336
ISSN
  • 0029-6651 (ISSN-L)
  • 1475-2719
OpenAlex
W2167822367
Cited by
364
References
135
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 7
FWCI
3.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of The Nutrition Society (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Mead Johnson Nutrition
  • Danone
  • Amarin Corporation
  • Vifor Pharma
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Inflammatory mediators and NSAID effects
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Edible Oils Quality and Analysis
Keywords
omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, inflammation, immunity, membrane order, eicosanoid biosynthesis, signal transduction, gene expression, resolvins, protectins, lipid mediators, inflammation resolution, NF-κB, lipid rafts, T cells
MeSH terms
Animals, Humans, Immune System, Inflammation, Signal Transduction, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, NF-kappa B, Membrane Microdomains

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