Monounsaturated and Saturated, but Not n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Decrease Cartilage Destruction under Inflammatory Conditions

Abstract

Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with obesity in which altered fatty acid levels have been observed. We investigated whether the most common fatty acids in synovial fluid influence cartilage deterioration in OA. Design: Cartilage was obtained from OA patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Chondrocytes or cartilage explants were cultured with linoleic (n-6 polyunsaturated), oleic (monounsaturated), or palmitic (saturated) acid. After preculture, media were renewed and inflammation was simulated in half of the samples by addition of 10 ng/mL tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) with or without the fatty acids. Effects on lipid uptake (Oil-Red-O), cell toxicity (lactate dehydrogenase), prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) release and gene expression for prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2 (PTGS2), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1), and MMP13, and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 were determined on chondrocytes in monolayer. Effects on glycosaminoglycan (GAG) release were evaluated on cartilage explants. Results: None of the fatty acids were cytotoxic and all were taken up by the cells, resulting in a higher amount of intracellular lipid in chondrocytes. Linoleic acid increased PGE2 production in the presence of TNFα. Oleic acid and palmitic acid inhibited MMP1 gene expression in chondrocytes stimulated with TNFα. In cartilage explants, GAG release was also inhibited by oleic acid and palmitic acid, and oleic acid decreased PTGS2 gene expression in stimulated chondrocytes. Conclusions: Linoleic acid has a pro-inflammatory effect on cartilage whereas oleic acid and palmitic acid seem to inhibit cartilage destruction. These results indicate that altered fatty acid levels may influence loss of cartilage structure in OA.

Dietary Fats and Osteoarthritis: Insights, Evidences, and New Horizons

“…An in vitro study showed that linoleic acid, a fatty acid (FA) had protective effects to the chondrocytes, by decreasing the production of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide (NO) [Shen et al, ]. Bastiaansen‐Jenniskens et al [] showed Linoleic acid had a pro‐inflammatory effect on the cartilage whereas the Palmitic and Oleic acid inhibited the cartilage degradation. In a recent study, increase intakes of MUFA and PUFA were positively associated with decreased joint space width (JSW) loss [Lu et al, ].…”

Synovial Fluid Fatty Acid Profiles Differ between Osteoarthritis and Healthy Patients

“…In vitro, SFAs such as palmitic acid promote the secretion of interleukins (IL) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). 4 Other SFAs, such as myristic-and stearic acid induce IL-6 in a dose-dependent way. 2 Nervonic acid, a MUFA with neuroprotective effects as a major component of brain phospholipids, had higher concentrations in the synovial fluid of OA patients than in nonsymptomatic patients.…”

“…In vitro analysis of the effect of LA (also an n-6 PUFA) on chondrocytes indicate an increase in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), resulting in increased destruction of chondrocytes. 4 Furthermore, it is described that AA converses to different types of eicosanoids, such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxane mediated by the enzymes cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX). 13 The study of Baker et al 8 demonstrated a correlation between serum AA levels and magnetic resonance imaging signs of synovitis in OA knees, but did not indicate a relation between AA and cartilage loss.…”

“…2,3 Lipids are composed of fatty acids (FAs) that, depending on their structure, have a broad spectrum of effects on tissues, such as cartilage. 4 Saturated FAs (SFAs) have no double bonds between their carbon molecules, whereas unsaturated FAs do. Monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) have just one double bond in contrast to polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) that have more than one double bond.…”

Effects of Dietary Saturated Fatty Acids on the Onset and Progression of Osteoarthritis in Rat Knee Joints

“…An in vitro study showed that linoleic acid, a fatty acid (FA) had protective effects to the chondrocytes, by decreasing the production of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide (NO) [129]. Y. M. BastiaansenJenniskens et al showed Linoleic acid had a pro-inflammatory effect on the cartilage whereas the Palmitic and Oleic acid-induced cartilage degradation [130]. In a recent study, increased intakes of MUFA and PUFA were positively associated with decreased joint space width (JSW) loss [131].…”