The DOI matches its Crossref record; 86 of the 87 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man
Open accessAbstract
Inappropriate, excessive or uncontrolled inflammation contributes to a range of human diseases. Inflammation involves a multitude of cell types, chemical mediators and interactions. The present article will describe nutritional and metabolic aspects of omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids and explain the roles of bioactive members of those fatty acid families in inflammatory processes. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are n-3 fatty acids found in oily fish and fish oil supplements. These fatty acids are capable of partly inhibiting many aspects of inflammation including leucocyte chemotaxis, adhesion molecule expression and leucocyte–endothelial adhesive interactions, production of eicosanoids like prostaglandins and leukotrienes from the n-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, EPA gives rise to eicosanoids that often have lower biological potency than those produced from arachidonic acid, and EPA and DHA give rise to anti-inflammatory and inflammation resolving mediators called resolvins, protectins and maresins. Mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory actions of EPA and DHA include altered cell membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition, disruption of lipid rafts, inhibition of activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor κB so reducing expression of inflammatory genes and activation of the anti-inflammatory transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ. Animal experiments demonstrate benefit from EPA and DHA in a range of models of inflammatory conditions. Human trials demonstrate benefit of oral n-3 fatty acids in rheumatoid arthritis and in stabilizing advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Intravenous n-3 fatty acids may have benefits in critically ill patients through reduced inflammation. The anti-inflammatory and inflammation resolving actions of EPA, DHA and their derivatives are of clinical relevance.
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In the citing paper
“These structural changes promote nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and reduce endothelial expression of adhesion molecules such as VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, limiting monocyte adhesion and vascular inflammation [98].”
From Targeting triglycerides for cardiovascular risk reduction (2026) · cites this paper as [98]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are widely recognized for their anti-inflammatory effects, primarily mediated through inhibition of NF-κB signaling102,103.”
From Emerging strategies in senotherapeutics: from broad-spectrum senolysis to precision reprogramming (2026) · cites this paper as [102]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn the citing paper
“Longchain omega-3 fatty acids—especially eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid—modulate the expression of genes involved in metabolism and inflammation139”
From Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span (2019) · cites this paper as [139]
In the citing paper
“having suboptimal omega-3 levels139, which impacts the resolution phase of inflammation”
From Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span (2019) · cites this paper as [139]
In the citing paper
“Omega-3 PUFAs modulate inflammation.”
From Cardiovascular Impact of Nutritional Supplementation With Omega-3 Fatty Acids (2021) · cites this paper as [24]
In the citing paper
“They are involved in production of eicosanoids, prostaglandins, resolvins, protectins, and leukotrienes”
From Cardiovascular Impact of Nutritional Supplementation With Omega-3 Fatty Acids (2021) · cites this paper as [24]
In the citing paper
“Increased cellular membrane concentrations of EPA and DHA decrease the availability of arachidonic acid as a substrate for the synthesis of proinflammatory eicosanoids”
From Cardiovascular Impact of Nutritional Supplementation With Omega-3 Fatty Acids (2021) · cites this paper as [24]
In the citing paper
“EPA and DHA regulate T cell function”
From Cardiovascular Impact of Nutritional Supplementation With Omega-3 Fatty Acids (2021) · cites this paper as [24]
In the citing paper
“EPA decreases expression of the cyclooxygenase-2 gene”
From Cardiovascular Impact of Nutritional Supplementation With Omega-3 Fatty Acids (2021) · cites this paper as [24]
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Resolving inflammation: dual anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution lipid mediators
Serhan, C. N., Chiang, N., & Van Dyke, T. E. (2008) · Nature Reviews Immunology · doi:10.1038/nri2294 · Cited by 2,932
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Marine omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: effects, mechanisms and clinical relevance
Calder, P. C. (2015) · Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids · doi:10.1016/j.bbalip.2014.08.010 · Cited by 1,717
Self-citationPfeffer, K., Matsuyama, T., Kündig, T. M., Wakeham, A., Kishihara, K., Shahinian, A., Wiegmann, K., Ohashi, P. S., Krönke, M., & Mak, T. W. (1993) · Cell · doi:10.1016/0092-8674(93)90134-c · Cited by 1,677
Regulation of Immune Responses by Prostaglandin E2
Kaliński, P. (2011) · The Journal of Immunology · doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1101029 · Cited by 1,477
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span
Furman, D., Campisi, J., Verdin, E., Carrera-Bastos, P., Targ, S., Franceschi, C., Ferrucci, L., Gilroy, D. W., Fasano, A., Miller, G. W., et al. (2019) · Nature Medicine · doi:10.1038/s41591-019-0675-0 · Cited by 4,915
Resolvins in inflammation: emergence of the pro-resolving superfamily of mediators
Serhan, C. N., & Levy, B. D. (2018) · Journal of Clinical Investigation · doi:10.1172/jci97943 · Cited by 1,344
Djuricic, I. D., & Calder, P. C. (2021) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu13072421 · Cited by 1,094
Self-citationOmega-6 fatty acids and inflammation
Innes, J. K., & Calder, P. C. (2018) · Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids · doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2018.03.004 · Cited by 935
Self-citationNutrition, immunity and COVID-19
Calder, P. C. (2020) · BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health · doi:10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000085 · Cited by 612
Self-citation
Metadata
- Authors
- Calder, P. C.
- Affiliations
- Southampton General Hospital (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Calder, Philip C.
- ORCID
- Calder, Philip C.
- Venue
- Biochemical Society Transactions
- Publisher
- Portland Press Ltd.
- Published
- 2017-09-12
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1105-1115
- ISSN
- 0300-5127 (ISSN-L)
- 1470-8752
- OpenAlex
- W2754394790
- Cited by
- 1,456
- References
- 87
- Citations by year
- 2026: 250 · 2025: 255 · 2024: 179 · 2023: 140 · 2022: 141 · 2021: 170 · 2020: 167 · 2019: 97 · 2018: 52 · 2017: 3
- FWCI
- 8.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- Biochemical Society Transactions (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Inflammatory mediators and NSAID effects
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Edible Oils Quality and Analysis
- Keywords
- omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, inflammation, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, fish oil, resolvins, protectins, maresins, eicosanoids, arachidonic acid, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappaB, PPARγ, lipid rafts, cell membrane phospholipids, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, critically ill patients, anti-inflammatory mechanism
- MeSH terms
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Clinical Trials as Topic, Dietary Fats, Unsaturated, Docosahexaenoic Acids, Humans, Inflammation, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Cytokines, Fatty Acids, Omega-6
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