Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation on inflammatory biomakers: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials

Abstract

Inflammation is part of the normal host response to infection and injury. Eicosanoids, cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and other inflammatory molecules are frequently produced during this process. Numerous studies in humans have documented the inflammation-limiting properties of omega-3 fatty acids, but only a few have been randomised clinical trials. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic search of randomised clinical trials on omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory biomarkers in all subjects including healthy and ill persons up to February 2011 using PubMed and LILACS databases, defined by a specific equation using MeSH terms and limited to randomised clinical trials; there was no any a priori decision to include some diseases and not others. The quality of each publication was validated by using the JADAD scale and the CONSORT checklist. Inflammatory biomarkers were considered as primary outcomes. Twenty-six publications of the last 10 years were selected. Studies included healthy subjects and patients with cardiovascular disease and other chronic and acute diseases; all reported the number of subjects, type of study, type and doses of omega-3 fatty acids, main outcomes and major inflammatory biomarkers. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids are associated with plasma biomarker levels, reflecting lower levels of inflammation and endothelial activation in cardiovascular disease and other chronic and acute diseases, including chronic renal disease, sepsis and acute pancreatitis. However, further research is required before definitive recommendations can be made about the routine use of omega-3 fatty acids in critically ill patients or with neurodegenerative or chronic renal disease.

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and aquaculture in perspective

“…Although there are studies showing some beneficial effects of n-3 LC-PUFA in various other inflammatory diseases there are too few studies to be conclusive. In contrast, there is a very large body of research into the mechanisms of action of n-3 LC-PUFA on inflammatory pathways (Rangel-Huerta et al, 2012). Until recently, the major mechanism was thought to be the anti-ARA effect of n-3 LC-PUFA.…”

Metabolism and functional effects of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids in humans

“…Epidemiological studies in Europe, the USA and Japan indicate decreased risk of CVD [2,4,6,180,181] and inflammation [182][183][184][185] with increasing consumption of VLC ω-3 PUFAs. VLC ω-3 PUFA supplementation studies have demonstrated beneficial changes in a number of cardiovascular risk factors including fasting TAG concentrations [186,187], postprandial lipaemia [188], blood pressure [189], platelet aggregation [131,190,191], blood coagulation and fibrinolysis [192], heart rate variability [193,194], cardiac arrhythmias [195], vascular reactivity [196][197][198][199] and inflammation [200][201][202][203][204].…”

Therapeutic Implications of Brain–Immune Interactions: Treatment in Translation

“…These data extend the current literature on the antidepressant effects of omega-3 fatty acids to potentially include an anti-inflammatory component that is currently under investigation (see NCT02553915). Although there are some in vitro and in vivo data supporting antiinflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids in humans (Rangel-Huerta et al, 2012), data linking these effects to their impact on behavior including depression are warranted.…”