Modulatory effects of dietary lipids on immune system functions

Abstract

Summary Dietary lipid manipulation may affect a great number of immune parameters, such as lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine synthesis, natural killer (NK) cell activity, phagocytosis and so on. The immunomodulation induced by dietary fatty acids may be applied in the amelioration of inflammatory disorders, such as autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanisms that participate in these processes are still poorly understood. It is probable that modulation of immune system by fatty acids of the diet may occur by alteration of membrane fluidity, lipid peroxide formation, eicosanoid production or regulation of gene expression. However, recent studies have reported the effects of several free fatty acids on apoptosis induction of in vitro cultures. In fact, a possible explanation of the effects that fatty acids promote on the immune system cells could be associated with an apoptotic process performed in an irreversible way. In vivo studies have demonstrated the ability of fatty acids to alter the survival of animals fed diets containing oils and infected with a pathogenic bacterium. Experimental infection in animals fed dietary lipids produces a modification of resistance to micro-organisms. The present review analyses all of these parameters that dietary fatty acids are capable of altering in order to modify the immune response. Further studies will be needed to establish the mechanisms involved in immune system regulation, reduction of symptoms derived from autoimmune pathologies and so on.

Plasma and neutrophil fatty acid composition in advanced cancer patients and response to fish oil supplementation

“…The low concentrations of plasma PL may have limited the availability and subsequent incorporation of these fatty acids into cell membranes (Chapkin et al, 1988) or supplemented fatty acids may have been directed to oxidative pathways (Korber et al, 1999;Zuijdgeest-van Leeuwan et al, 2000) rather than incorporated into cellular membranes. The capacity to impact on immune functions by altering membrane fluidity, enzyme activities and intracellular signals (Traill and Wick, 1986;Sakata et al, 1987;Graber et al, 1994;Peck, 1994b;de Pablo and Alvarez de Cienfuegos, 2000) through nutritional supplementation is assumed to be dependent on incorporation of supplemented fatty acids into membranes (Russell et al, 1987;Kinsella, 1990;Lester, 1990;Peck, 1994a) and the optimal conditions of supplementation for this to occur are presently unknown. Therefore, obstacles exist that must be addressed in future trials aiming to alter immune functions through lipid supplementation.…”

“…Neutrophils secrete and respond to several cytokines involved in the wasting response of cancer (Cassatella et al, 1997) which are attenuated by dietary fish oils (Blok et al, 1996;Barber et al, 1998). Furthermore, major neutrophil functions are membrane dependent (Deitch, 1984;de Pablo and Alvarez de Cienfuegos, 2000). Therefore, the ability to alter the membrane composition of neutrophils by fish oil supplementation may have important implications for reducing inflammation and wasting in advanced cancer patients.…”

Cutaneous Wound Healing after Topical Application of <i>Pistacia atlantica</i> Gel Formulation in Rats

“…13 Free fatty acids (FFAs) are known to possess anti-Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) activity 14,15,16 and are important components of the innate immune system. 17 These FFAs, including oleic acid, can function as innate bactericides. 18 More importantly, it has been found that two FFAs (linoleic acid and dehydrocrepenynic acid) inhibit the bacterial drug resistance by decreasing the transfer frequency of the conjugal DNA.…”

Changes in the immune system are conditioned by nutrition

“…The fatty acid composition of lymphocytes, and other immune cells, is altered according to the fatty acid composition of the diet. Therefore, an immunomodulatory role has been suggested for dietary lipids, which could be used in the management of some diseases involving inflammation processes, such as autoimmune diseases (De Pablo & Alvarez de Cienfuegos, 2000).…”