ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms by which n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) influence T-cell responses. T-cell–mediated high-grade and low-grade chronic inflammatory diseases, including obesity and its associated metabolic syndrome, are a global health problem. Although pharmaceuticals such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and glucocorticoids are available for treatment of high-grade inflammation, they are expensive and often trigger serious side effects. Given the high proportion of the population that is afflicted by chronic inflammation, it is important to identify innocuous anti-inflammatory dietary compounds that could ameliorate inflammation and improve overall health in the population. The primary bioactive n-3 PUFAs are thought to be eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have been shown to attenuate inflammatory responses, biomarkers, and mortality in preclinical models and humans. From an immunological perspective, the anti-inflammatory properties of EPA and DHA include effects on mediators of both the innate immune response and the adaptive immune response.
