Effects of Fish n-3 PUFAs on Intestinal Microbiota and Immune System

Abstract

Studies over several decades have documented the beneficial actions of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are plentiful in fish oil, in different disease states. Mechanisms responsible for the efficacy of n-3 PUFAs include: (1) Reduction of triglyceride levels; (2) anti-arrhythmic and antithrombotic effects, and (3) resolution of inflammatory processes. The human microbiota project and subsequent studies using next-generation sequencing technology have highlighted that thousands of different microbial species are present in the human gut, and that there has been a significant variability of taxa in the microbiota composition among people. Several factors (gestational age, mode of delivery, diet, sanitation and antibiotic treatment) influence the bacterial community in the human gastrointestinal tract, and among these diet habits play a crucial role. The disturbances in the gut microbiota composition, i.e., gut dysbiosis, have been associated with diseases ranging from localized gastrointestinal disorders to neurologic, respiratory, metabolic, ocular, and cardiovascular illnesses. Many studies have been published about the effects of probiotics and prebiotics on the gut microbiota/microbioma. On the contrary, PUFAs in the gut microbiota have been less well defined. However, experimental studies suggested that gut microbiota, n-3 PUFAs, and host immune cells work together to ensure the intestinal wall integrity. This review discussed current evidence concerning the links among gut microbiota, n-3 PUFAs intake, and human inflammatory disease.

Oxidative status and intestinal health of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles fed diets with different ARA/EPA/DHA ratios

“…Thus, the higher content of n-3 LC-PUFA might have limited the presence of pathogens such as E. tarda in the mucosal microbial community of fish fed diets C and D. Accordingly, a very recent study with golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) showed that FO substitution by VO increased the abundance of intestinal pathogenic bacteria such as Mycoplasma and Vibrio 75 . As recently reviewed 76 , gut microbial community, host immune system, and dietary n3-PUFA are interdependent pieces that together control intestinal wall integrity, and thus pathogen proliferation. Furthermore, the host-derived ROS was previously associated with bactericidal activity against pathogens such as Salmonella in mice 77 .…”

Functional Role of Dietary Intervention to Improve the Outcome of COVID-19: A Hypothesis of Work

“…Another important mediator involved in the immune response and influenced by nutrition are fatty acids, in particular, ω-3 PUFAs [67,68]. In fact, during bacterial and viral infections, they are able to act on immune cells and regulate diverse inflammatory processes.…”

The mutual interplay of gut microbiota, diet and human disease

“…For this reason, intestinal bacterial colonization dramatically influences the maturation and physiology of the immune system in early life and affects adult’s health and disease, as pointed out by the loss of immune function in germ‐free mice . Various studies have also demonstrated that intestinal bacteria and their metabolites, including SCFAs, play a key role in the proliferation and differentiation of T and B cells .…”