Effects of a Supplementation of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids with or without Fish Gelatin on Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Obese, Insulin-Resistant Subjects

Abstract

Aim: To investigate gene expression changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) following an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and n-3 PUFA plus fish gelatin (+FG) supplementation. Methods: A transcriptome comparison of 8-week supplementation with n-3 PUFA and n-3 PUFA+FG was carried out in PBMCs of 16 obese insulin-resistant subjects. Results: Erythrocyte n-3 PUFA concentration increased and plasma triglycerides decreased significantly without altering inflammatory parameters after both supplementations. n-3 PUFA supplementation changed the expression of 805 genes, whereas n-3 PUFA+FG supplementation altered the expression of 184 genes. Three genes were commonly changed: fatty acid desaturase 1, free fatty acid receptor 3, and ectodysplasin. Pathway analyses indicate changes in gene expression via the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α pathway after both supplementations. Further, the extent of modifications in the expression of genes implicated in the inflammatory pathways – the oxidative stress response mediated by nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2, nuclear transcription factor ĸB, oxidative stress, and hypoxia-inducible factor signaling – was different after each supplementation. Conclusion: Although n-3 PUFA and n-3 PUFA+FG supplementations have a distinct impact on gene expression levels, the consequences on biochemical parameters and metabolic pathways were comparable after both supplementations.

Transcriptomic and metabolomic signatures of an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation in a normolipidemic/normocholesterolemic Caucasian population

“…Transcriptomic data demonstrate that n-3 PUFA supplementation changed the expression of 610 genes in men, whereas the expressions of only 250 genes were altered in women; however, as demonstrated previously [22], the absolute number of genes is not as important as in which pathways these changes occur. Pathway analyses demonstrate significant changes in gene expression via the nuclear receptor PPARA pathways in both men and women.…”

Transcriptomics to study the effect of a Mediterranean-inspired diet on inflammation in Crohn's disease patients

“…PBMCs have been used to examine gene expression in numerous diseases including inflammation [39-45] and have also been shown to act as a biomarker of nutritional interventions [22,46,47] and used to predict inflammatory response to functional foods [48]. The increased sensitivity of transcriptomics and the fact that PBMCs can be used as a model to study the expression of inflammatory genes [40] make this methodology attractive for non-hypothesis-based studies.…”

DNA Methylation Pattern in Overweight Women under an Energy-Restricted Diet Supplemented with Fish Oil

“…Consumption of n -3 PUFA affects the expression of many genes in various cell types and tissues, including liver [9], adipose tissue [10], and blood white cells [11, 12]. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), n -3 PUFA supplementation has been reported to downregulate the expression of genes related to fatty acid transport, such as fatty acid desaturase 1 ( FADS1 ) and fatty acid receptor 3 ( FFAR3 ), in insulin resistant subjects [11] as well as other genes such as CD36 molecule ( CD36 ), the cluster of differentiation 14 ( CD14 ), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 ( PDK4 ) in healthy elderly subjects [12].…”

“…In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), n -3 PUFA supplementation has been reported to downregulate the expression of genes related to fatty acid transport, such as fatty acid desaturase 1 ( FADS1 ) and fatty acid receptor 3 ( FFAR3 ), in insulin resistant subjects [11] as well as other genes such as CD36 molecule ( CD36 ), the cluster of differentiation 14 ( CD14 ), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 ( PDK4 ) in healthy elderly subjects [12]. However, few studies have examined the effects of PUFA supplementation on DNA methylation, a key epigenetic mechanism for gene expression regulation.…”