OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) on the apoptosis of thymic and splenic lymphocytes in rats with sepsis.

METHODSA total of 80 female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7-8 weeks were randomly divided into model group, conventional lipid emulsion group (0.1 g/kg daily), low-dose ω-3 PUFAs group (0.1 g/kg daily), middle-dose ω-3 PUFAs group (0.2 g/kg daily), and high-dose ω-3 PUFAs group (0.3 g/kg daily). Cecal ligation and puncture were used to establish a rat model of sepsis. The treatment groups were then given tail vein injection of lipid emulsion or glucose diluents of ω-3 PUFAs at different doses, and the model group was given glucose injection via the tail vein at the same dose. According to the time of sacrifice, each group was further divided into 24-hour and 72-hour subgroups, with 8 rats in each subgroup. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the thymus and spleen. TUNEL was used to measure the apoptosis rates of thymic and splenic lymphocytes.

RESULTSIn the three &omega;-3 PUFAs groups, the rats had a complete thymic lobular structure and clear structures of the cortex and medulla. In the model and the conventional lipid emulsion groups, the boundaries of the cortex and medulla were unclear and the number of lymphocytes was significantly reduced. In the &omega;-3 PUFAs groups, the structure of the red and white pulp of the spleen was maintained with the presence of splenic follicles, while in the model and the conventional lipid emulsion groups, the structure of the red and white pulp of the spleen was disordered and splenic follicles were significantly reduced or disappeared. Compared with the model and the conventional lipid emulsion groups, the &omega;-3 PUFAs groups showed significant reductions in the apoptosis rates of thymic and splenic lymphocytes at 24 and 72 hours (P<0.01). Compared with the low-dose &omega;-3 PUFAs group, the high-dose &omega;-3 PUFAs group had significantly reduced apoptosis rates of splenic lymphocytes at 24 and 72 hours (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS&omega;-3 PUFAs can reduce the apoptosis of thymic and splenic lymphocytes in rats with sepsis in a dose-dependent manner.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; pharmacology ; Female ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Spleen ; pathology ; Thymus Gland ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) &omega;-3 and &omega;-6, and their middle metabolites PGE2 and PGE3 on angiogenesis formation of gastric cancer, and to explore associated mechanism.

METHODSThe effects of &omega;-3, &omega;-6, PGE2, PGE3 on the proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) were measured by proliferation and migration assay respectively. The angiogenesis assay in vivo was used to measure the effects of &omega;-3, &omega;-6, PGE2 and PGE3 on neovascularization. In all the assays, groups without &omega;-3, &omega;-6, PGE2 and PGE3 were designed as the control.

RESULTSWith the increased concentration of &omega;-6 from 1 μmol/L to 10 μmol/L, the proliferation ability of HUVECs enhanced, and the number of migration cells also increased from 28.2±3.0 to 32.8±2.1, which was higher than control group (21.2±3.2) respectively (both P<0.05). With the increased concentration of &omega;-3 from 1 μmol/L to 10 μmol/L, the proliferation ability of HUVECs was inhibited, and the number of migration cells decreased from 15.8±2.0 to 11.0±2.1, which was lower than control group (22.1±3.0) respectively (both P<0.05). In the angiogenesis assay, compared with control group (standard number: 43 721±4 654), the angiogenesis ability of HUVECs was significantly enhanced by &omega;-6 in concentration-dependent manner (1 μmol/L group: 63 238±4 795, 10 μmol/L group: 78 166±6 123, all P<0.01). Meanwhile, with the increased concentration of &omega;-3 from 1 μmol/L to 10 μmol/L, the angiogenesis ability was significantly decreased from 30 129±3 102 to 20 012±1 541(all P<0.01). The proliferation and migration ability of HUVECs were significantly promoted by &omega;-6 metabolites PGE2 (P<0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, &omega;-3 metabolites PGE3 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration ability of HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner (all P<0.05). After rofecoxib (a COX-2 specific inhibitor) inhibited the expression of COX-2, the expression level of PGE2 was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In co-culture system, whose gastric cancer cells expressed positive COX-2, &omega;-6 could increase angiogenesis of gastric cancer cells(P<0.01), but &omega;-3 could inhibit such angiogenesis(P<0.01). In co-culture system, whose gastric cancer cells did not express COX-2, &omega;-3 could inhibit the angiogenesis of gastric cancer cells (P<0.05), but &omega;-6 had no effect on angiogenesis.

CONCLUSIONSThe PUFA &omega;-6 can enhance the angiogenesis via the promotion of proliferation and migration of HUVECs, and COX-2 and PGE2 may play an important role in this process, whereas, the &omega;-3 can inhibit the angiogenesis through its middle metabolites PGE3 to inhibit the proliferation and migration of HUVECs. Results of this experiment may provide a new approach to inhibit and prevent the spread of gastric cancer.

Alprostadil ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Cell Count ; methods ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Migration Assays ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Coculture Techniques ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; pharmacology ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; pharmacology ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Lactones ; pharmacology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; physiopathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; Sulfones ; pharmacology

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the omega-3 fatty acids help to improve erectile function in an atherosclerosis-induced erectile dysfunction rat model. A total of 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats at age 8 weeks were divided into three groups: Control group (n = 6, untreated sham operated rats), Pathologic group (n = 7, untreated rats with chronic pelvic ischemia [CPI]), and Treatment group (n = 7, CPI rats treated with omega-3 fatty acids). For the in vivo study, electrical stimulation of the cavernosal nerve was performed and erectile function was measured in all groups. Immunohistochemical antibody staining was performed for transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α). In vivo measurement of erectile function in the Pathologic group showed significantly lower values than those in the Control group, whereas the Treatment group showed significantly improved values in comparison with those in the Pathologic group. The results of western blot analysis revealed that systemically administered omega-3 fatty acids ameliorated the cavernosal molecular environment. Our study suggests that omega-3 fatty acids improve intracavernosal pressure and have a beneficial role against pathophysiological consequences such as fibrosis or hypoxic damage on a CPI rat model, which represents a structural erectile dysfunction model.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis/*complications ; Blotting, Western ; Carotid Arteries/physiology ; Chronic Disease ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electric Stimulation ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/*pharmacology ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism ; Ischemia/etiology/*pathology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism ; Penile Erection/*drug effects ; Penis/metabolism/pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism

INTRODUCTIONThis study was designed and conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin A, C and E supplementation, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the activity of paraoxonase and arylesterase in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus.

METHODSA total of 64 male Sprague Dawley® rats, each weighing 250 g, were randomly distributed into four groups: (a) normal control; (b) diabetic control; (c) diabetic with vitamin A, C and E supplementation; and (d) diabetic with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. The animals were anaesthetised after four weeks of intervention, and paraoxonase and arylesterase activity in blood plasma, and liver and heart homogenates were measured.

RESULTSArylesterase activity in the heart and liver homogenates was significantly lower in the diabetic control group than in the normal control group (p < 0.01). Vitamin A, C and E supplementation, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation significantly increased liver arylesterase activity (p < 0.05). No significant change was observed in paraoxonase activity and other investigated factors.

CONCLUSIONVitamin A, C and E, or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation were found to increase liver arylesterase activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. These supplements may be potential agents for the treatment of diabetes mellitus complications.

Animals ; Aryldialkylphosphatase ; metabolism ; Ascorbic Acid ; pharmacology ; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; diet therapy ; metabolism ; Dietary Supplements ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; pharmacology ; Liver ; enzymology ; Male ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vitamin A ; pharmacology ; Vitamins ; pharmacology

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can progress into liver cirrhosis; however, no definite treatment is available. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3) has been reported to alleviate experimental NASH, although its beneficial effect was not evident when tested clinically. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the additive effect of omega-3 and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on diet-induced NASH in mice. C57BL/6 mice were given a high-fat diet (HFD) for 24 weeks, at which point the mice were divided into three groups and fed HFD alone, HFD with omega-3 or HFD with omega-3 in combination with UDCA for another 24 weeks. Feeding mice an HFD and administering omega-3 improved histologically assessed liver fibrosis, and UDCA in combination with omega-3 further attenuated this disease. The assessment of collagen alpha1(I) expression agreed with the histological evaluation. Omega-3 in combination with UDCA resulted in a significant attenuation of inflammation whereas administering omega-3 alone failed to improve histologically assessed liver inflammation. Quantitative analysis of tumor necrosis factor alpha showed an additive effect of omega-3 and UDCA on liver inflammation. HFD-induced hepatic triglyceride accumulation was attenuated by omega-3 and adding UDCA accentuated this effect. In accordance with this result, the expression of sterol regulatory binding protein-1c decreased after omega-3 administration and adding UDCA further diminished SREBP-1c expression. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which may reflect oxidative stress-induced tissue damage, was suppressed by omega-3 administration and adding UDCA further attenuated iNOS expression. These results demonstrated an additive effect of omega-3 and UDCA for alleviating fibrosis, inflammation and steatosis in diet-induced NASH.
Animals ; Cholagogues and Choleretics/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects ; Drug Synergism ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Fibrosis/drug therapy/etiology/immunology/pathology ; Inflammation/drug therapy/etiology/immunology/pathology ; Liver/*drug effects/immunology/pathology ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/*drug therapy/etiology/immunology/pathology ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid/pharmacology/*therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs) on gut microbiota and endotoxin levels in portal vein of rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD).

METHODSThirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups and fed with normal control diet (CD), HFD, CD supplemented with n-3PUFAs, and HFD supplemented with n-3PUFAs, respectively. Fresh fecal samples were collected to analyze the gut microbiota 10 weeks after feeding. DNA was exacted from the fresh fecal samples. Quantitative PCR was used to detect the composition of the gut microbiota. The endotoxin levels were detected through modified azo chromogenic substrate limulus amebocyte lysate assay.

RESULTSThe differences in body weight before breeding in each group were not statistically significant among these four groups (P=0.613). The increase in the body weight was significantly larger in the HFD group than in the CD group (P=0.0002), CD+n-3PUFAs group (P=0.0001), and HFD+n-3PUFAs group (P=0.022). There were significantly more firmicutes (P=0.002) and enterobacteriales (P=0.022) and significantly less bacteroidetes (P=0.026) and bifidobactera (P=0.034) in the gut of rats from HFD group than those from the CD group. There were significantly more bacteroidetes in the fecal samples of the rats from the CD+n-3PUFAs group compared to those from the CD group (P=0.043). There were significantly more firmicutes (P=0.044)and enterobacteriales (P=0.012) and less bacteroidetes (P=0.042) in the fecal samples of the rats from HFD group compared to those from the HFD+n-3PUFAs group. The endotoxin in plasma form portal vein of rats in HFD group were significantly higher than in CD group (P=0.007) and HFD+n-3PUFAs group (P=0.042) but showed no significant difference between CD+n-3PUFAs and CD group (P=0.210).

CONCLUSIONSHFD can increase body weight and change gut microbiota. Supplementation of n-3PUFAs can partially counteract such gut dysbiosis, lower endotoxin level in portal vein blood, and improve the body weight.

Animals ; Body Weight ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; pharmacology ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Male ; Microbiota ; drug effects ; Portal Vein ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of intestinal lymphatic vessels ligation and different enteral nutrition support during ischemia/reperfusion on intestinal permeability, systemic inflammatory response and pulmonary dysfunction in a rat model.

METHODSSeventy-two Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into normal diet group, regular enteral nutrition group, glutamine-enriched group, 0-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (wo-3PUFA) group, and sham control after gastrostomy. All the enteral nutrition group were isocaloric (1046 kJ kg-' d-1) and isonitrogenous (1.8 g N kg-' d-'). After enteral nutrition for 7 days, the rats were subjected to intestinal ischemia for 60 min, or ischemia plus mesenteric lymph duct ligation except for the sham group followed by 3 days of nutrition (72 h). Intestinal permeability (lactose/mannitol ratio in the urine, L/M) was determined on the 5th, 7th and 9th day after gastrostomy. The levels of serum diamine oxidase, endotoxin, cytokines, ALT and AST were detected at the 11th day after gastrostomy. Mucosal thickness was measured using small intestine and villusheight. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), NO synthase, and apoptotic index were detected in lung tissue.

RESULTSIschemia for 60 min could cause intestinal injury. Intestinal permeability(L/M)was increased significantly in every group on the first day after ischemia (P<0.05). However, L/M decreased significantly 3 days after ischemia (P<0.05). The groups with Glu and o-3PUFA-enriched nutrition almost restored to normal level (P>0.05). The level of L/M in lymphatic ligation group was significantly lower than non-ligation group (P<0.05). The levels of endotoxin and cytokine were reduced, mucosal thickness and villous height were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the groups of Glu and o-3PUFA-enriched nutrition compared with enteral nutrition and normal diet groups during intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. MPO, NO, NOS and the apoptosis index of lung tissue decreased in the groups of Glu and o-3PUFA-enriched as well as after lymph duct ligation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe distant tissue-lung damage and systemic inflammation caused by intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury may be related to some factors in the intestinal lymph. Blocking the gut-lymph pathway and/or adding Glu and o-3PUFA in enteral nutrition may reduce intestinal permeability and endotoxin, increase mucosal thickness, attenuate the systemic inflammatory reaction, and prevent lung injury

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enteral Nutrition ; methods ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; pharmacology ; Glutamine ; pharmacology ; Intestines ; blood supply ; physiopathology ; Ligation ; Lung ; pathology ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Male ; Permeability ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(n-3PUFA) on human colorectal cancer cell line HT-29 and associated mechanism.

METHODSThe effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the proliferation and apoptosis on HT-29 human colorectal cancer cells were evaluated by MTT assay, cell morphology (Hoechst33258 dyeing), DNA gel electrophoresis, and flow cytometry. The content of n-6PUFA and n-3PUFA of the treated cells and the ratio of n-6/n-3PUFA were analyzed by chromatography.

RESULTSDHA effectively inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The proliferative inhibition rates of HT-29 cells treated with 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/L DHA for 24 hours were 16.8%, 24.7%, 50.0%, and 60.1%, respectively, while the inhibition rates were 50.0%, 69.9%, and 77.0% respectively when HT-29 cells were treated with 40 mg/L DHA for 24, 48, and 72 hours. The typical apoptotic morphologic changes of HT-29 cells could be observed, including chromatin margination, nuclear condensation and apoptotic bodies. Gel electrophoresis of DNA degradation displayed typical DNA ladder fragments. HT-29 cells treated with DHA were arrested in G1 phase and the proportion of HT-29 cells in Gl phase increased compared with that of the control group (72.1% vs. 51.3%) while the proportion of the cells in S phase decreased significantly (19.9% vs. 38.9%). The content of n-6PUFA decreased, n-3PUFA content increased and the ratio of n-6/n-3PUFA lowered significantly in colorectal cancer cells treated with DHA (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSn-3PUFA can inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer cells via inhibition of the proliferation and induction of apoptosis. These effects may be associated with decrease in n-6/n-3PUFA ratio.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; pharmacology ; HT29 Cells ; Humans

INTRODUCTIONConsumption of omega-3 fatty acids can alter the inflammatory response in diabetic patients. This study aimed to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-2 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

METHODSA randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 84 subjects aged 45-85 years with at least a two-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Participants were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. Each subject in the treatment group received three omega-3 capsules per day (eicosapentaenoic acid 1,548 mg; docosahexaenoic acid 828 mg; other omega-3 fatty acids 338 mg), while each subject in the control group received three placebo capsules (sunflower oil 2,100 mg) for a period of eight weeks. At the beginning of the study and post intervention, fasting blood samples were taken and serum concentrations of IL-2, TNF-α and CRP were assessed and compared.

RESULTSSerum IL-2 and TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to the controls (p < 0.01). There was no significant change in serum CRP levels.

CONCLUSIONShort-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (3 g/day for eight weeks) can decrease the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-2 in diabetic patients, with no change in CRP levels. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acid supplements is highly recommended to alleviate inflammation caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Dietary Supplements ; Double-Blind Method ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; blood ; prevention & control ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sheltering effects of &omega;-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (&omega;-3PUFA) and lymphatic drainage on distant organs in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODSForty-eight healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats (SPF grade) were randomly divided into 3 groups (16 rats in each group): normal diet group (N), enteral nutrition group (EN), enteral nutrition and &omega;-3PUFA group(PUFA group). Each group was divided into lymphatic drainage (I/R + D) group and no-drainage (I/R) group (n = 8). Each rats received gastrostomy. After given different nutrition for five days, the rats subjected to 60 min ischemia and 120 min reperfusion injury of the superior mesenteric artery. When the rats subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury, drained intestinal lymph for 180 min in the I/R + D group. The serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and level of myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), total of nitric oxide synthase (tNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) of lung were detected. The organ injury of lung and liver and the expression of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1, the endogenous ligand of TLR4) in these organs were investigated too.

RESULTSThe serum level of ALT in PUFA I/R + D and I/R group and EN I/R + D group were significantly lower than that in normal diet I/R group: (46 ± 20), (53 ± 15), (46 ± 21) and (100 ± 60) U/L (P < 0.05), respectively. The level of MPO, NO, tNOS, iNOS in lung in the I/R + D group were significantly lower than those in I/R group (P < 0.05): MPO (0.73 ± 0.15):(0.85 ± 0.10) unit/grams wet slice; NO (0.72 ± 0.51):(1.79 ± 1.32) µmol/gprot; tNOS (0.46 ± 0.15):(0.78 ± 0.27) U/mgprot; iNOS (0.06 ± 0.04):(0.11 ± 0.07) U/mgprot, respectively. The level of tNOS in PUFA I/R group was significantly lower than that in normal diet I/R group: (0.56 ± 0.13):(0.78 ± 0.27) U/mgprot (P < 0.05). MPO, NO, INOS levels in PUFA group were reduced compared with those in EN and normal diet group. HE stained sections and HMGB1 immunohistochemistry results showed that the organ injury in I/R group was severer than that in I/R + D group. The expression of HMGB1 increased in I/R group. The organ injury and the expression of HMGB1 in PUFA group were less than that in the other two main groups.

CONCLUSIONSLymphatic drainage can alleviate injury of distant organs after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion in rats. &omega;-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can increase body resistance to injury and promote recovery.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drainage ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; pharmacology ; Intestines ; blood supply ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control