Effect of dietary lipids on rat alveolar macrophage function

An in vitro assay has been developed to measure bacterial uptake by rat alveolar macrophages. The assay is used to study the effect of a diet rich in high omega-6 linoleic acid on the phagocytic response of the macrophages obtained from young and old rats. Within the range of diets studied, no significant difference (p\u3c0.05) is observed in the phagocytic capability of macrophages from young rats. Significant difference is observed between diet groups for the old rats (p\u3c0.05), with the group on a fat-rich diet showing suppressed phagocytic response. Significant difference is also found between age groups for the same diet (p\u3c0.05), older animals showing suppressed response