The effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in normal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Differentiated macrophages (MØ) are the resident tissue phagocytes and sentinel cells of the innate immune response. These cells are major constituents of periapical granulomas. Current studies indicate these activated cells as the source of bone-resorbing cytokines in the periapical granuloma. Periapical inflammation can be mediated by proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-6, and IL-8. Reducing the production of these cytokines may be beneficial for the treatment of periapical lesions. Oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been linked with anti-resorptive and bone-protective effects. The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of DHA on the expression of these cytokines by normal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated MØ. We hypothesized that pretreatment of MØ with DHA decreases the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS-treated MØ.

METHOD AND MATERIALS:

THP-1 monocytes were cultured and differentiated into MØ. DHA was added to MØ in a dose-dependent manner. MØ samples were added to the following groups: Group 1, ethanol alone as a solvent control; Group 2, 10 µg/ml of DHA (D1); Group 3, 20 µg/ml of DHA (D2); Group 4, 10 µg/ml of DHA + LPS (DL1); Group 5, 20 µg/ml of DHA + LPS (DL2); Group 6, LPS alone. Reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) followed by ImageJ analysis was used to measure cytokine expression.

RESULTS:

The results show that IL-1ß and TNF-α levels for DL and DHA (basal) were significantly lower than the levels in LPS alone. IL-6 was increased in the DL groups. There was no significant change for IL-8.

CONCLUSION:

DHA at higher concentrations may selectively decrease proinflammatory cytokine production of IL-1ß and TNF-α. More studies are needed to verify the anti-inflammatory therapeutic action of agents like DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

• Authors: Poonam Solanki, Anita Aminoshariae, Ge Jin, Thomas A Montagnese, Andre Mickel
• Journal: Quintessence international (Berlin, Germany : 1985) (Quintessence Int) Vol. 44 Issue 6 Pg. 393 (Apr 24 2013) ISSN: 1936-7163 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 23534044 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• CXCL8 protein, human
• IL6 protein, human
• Inflammation Mediators
• Interleukin-1beta
• Interleukin-6
• Interleukin-8
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Solvents
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Docosahexaenoic Acids
• Ethanol

Topics

• Cell Culture Techniques
• Cell Differentiation (physiology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Docosahexaenoic Acids (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Ethanol (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Inflammation Mediators (analysis)
• Interleukin-1beta (immunology, metabolism)
• Interleukin-6 (immunology, metabolism)
• Interleukin-8 (immunology, metabolism)
• Lipopolysaccharides (immunology, pharmacology)
• Macrophage Activation (drug effects, immunology)
• Macrophages (drug effects, immunology, metabolism)
• Monocytes (physiology)
• Solvents (pharmacology)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (drug effects, immunology)