Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Adipose Tissue: Inflammation and Browning
Abstract
White adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) are involved in whole-body energy homeostasis and metabolic regulation. Changes to mass and function of these tissues impact glucose homeostasis and whole-body energy balance during development of obesity, weight loss, and subsequent weight regain. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs), which have known hypotriglyceridemic and cardioprotective effects, can also impact WAT and BAT function. In rodent models, these fatty acids alleviate obesity-associated WAT inflammation, improve energy metabolism, and increase thermogenic markers in BAT. Emerging evidence suggests that ω-3 PUFAs can also modulate gut microbiota impacting WAT function and adiposity. This review discusses molecular mechanisms, implications of these findings, translation to humans, and future work, especially with reference to the potential of these fatty acids in weight loss maintenance.
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n-3 PUFAs have anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and hypotriglyceridemic effects.
“n-3 PUFAs are well known for their anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and hypotriglyceridemic effects, which we have reviewed previously [10,11,12].”
From Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Improving Metabolic Dysfunctions in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [10]
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Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Improving Metabolic Dysfunctions in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Albardan, L., Platat, C., & Kalupahana, N. S. (2024) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu16172961 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“…adjunct therapy for women with PCOS not only for reducing the clinical features of this condition but also for reducing cardiovascular disease risk. n -3 PUFAs are well known for their anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and hypotriglyceridemic effects, which we have reviewed previously [10–12].”
BackgroundSelf-citation
- Authors
- Kalupahana, N. S., Goonapienuwala, B. L., & Moustaid-Moussa, N.
- Affiliations
- University of Peradeniya (LK)
- Texas Tech University (US)
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Obesity Research Institute, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1270, USA;,
- Venue
- Annual Review of Nutrition
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 2020-09-23
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 25-49
- ISSN
- 0199-9885 (ISSN-L)
- 1545-4312
- OpenAlex
- W3034175435
- Cited by
- 72
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 0.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annual Review of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
- Keywords
- omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, white adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue, adipose tissue inflammation, brown adipose tissue browning, thermogenesis, obesity, weight regain, energy homeostasis, gut microbiota, weight loss maintenance
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Adipose Tissue, Brown, Humans, Inflammation, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Adipose Tissue, White
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