Role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the production of prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide during experimental murine paracoccidioidomycosis

Biomed Res Int. 2013:2013:947687. doi: 10.1155/2013/947687. Epub 2013 Dec 25.

Abstract

There has recently been increased interest in the potential health effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the immune system. Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most important endemic mycosis in Latin America. Macrophages have a fundamental role and act as first line of organism defense. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of n-3 fatty acids on the production of PGE2 and NO by mice infected with Pb18 and fed a diet enriched with LNA for 8 weeks. To study the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on macrophage activity during experimental paracoccidioidomycosis, mice were infected with Pb18 and fed a diet supplemented with LNA. PGE2 in the serum of animals was analyzed and NO in the supernatants of macrophages cultured and challenged in vitro with Pb18 was measured. Omega-3 fatty acids seemed to decrease the production of PGE2 in vivo in the infected group fed an LNA-supplemented diet during the 4th and 8th weeks of the experiment. At the same time, we observed an increase in synthesis of NO by peritoneal macrophages in this group. Omega-3 fatty acids thus appear to have an immunomodulatory effect in paracoccidioidomycosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / administration & dosage
  • Dinoprostone / biosynthesis*
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis*
  • Paracoccidioides / metabolism
  • Paracoccidioides / pathogenicity*
  • Paracoccidioidomycosis / metabolism*
  • Paracoccidioidomycosis / microbiology
  • Paracoccidioidomycosis / pathology

Substances

  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Dinoprostone