OMEGA 3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS AND INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES

EPA i DHA su glavne omega-3 PUFA prisutne u masnoj ribi i ribljim suplementima te ostalim morskim izvorima. Omega-3 PUFA mogu biti enzimatski pretvorene u različite bioaktivne autakoide koji imaju potentan modulirajući efekt na upalu, posebno rezolucijsku fazu upale. Njihova je uloga opisana u glodavaca i ljudi, a sastav masnih kiselina u membrani mijenja njezinu fluidnost, signalizaciju te uzrokuje genske ekspresije drugačijeg uzorka lipidnih medijatorskih molekula i oblik lipidnih membranskih udubljenja. Stanice uključene u upalni odgovor su uobičajeno bogate s omega-6 AA, ali se taj sastav može promijeniti. Eikozanoidi stvoreni iz AA poput PGE2 i 4-serije LT imaju značajnu ulogu u upalnom procesu, a njihovi slični analozi od EPA su manje potentni. Također EPA i DHA stvaraju rezolvine, protektine, marezine s protuupalnom i proresorptivnom sposobnošću što je važno za sprečavanje mnogih bolesti u ljudi koje su posljedica upalnog procesa. Pretpostavlja se da u fiziološkim uvjetima postoji ravnoteža između pro i protuupalnih molekula, a kada je ravnoteža poremećena imati ćemo supresiju ili egacerbaciju upale. Sukladno navedenom, treba održati ravnotežu ovih bioaktivnih lipida iz raznih izvora PUFA u korist održanja boljeg zdravstvenog stanja. Isto tako potvrđeno je da navedene masne kiseline mogu međudjelovati i djelomično inhibirati mnoge procese upale poput kemotaksije leukocita, iskazivanja adhezijskih molekula, interakciju leukocita i endotela, produkciju eikozanoida poput PG i LT iz omega-6 AA te produkciju citokina poput TNF-L i IL-1B. Daljnje razumijevanje putova omega-3 PUF oA u zdravlju i bolesti bi moglo dovesti do razvoja učinkovitih načina koji mogu pomoći u liječenju niza kroničnih upalnih bolesti..EPA and DHA are the main omega-3 PUFAs present in oily fish and fish supplements, and also other marine sources. Omega-3 PUFAs can be enzymatically transformed into various bioactive autacoids that have a potent modulating effect on inflammation, especially resolution phase of inflammation. Their role is described in rodents and humans. The fatty acid composition in the membrane changes membrane fluidity, signaling through the membrane, leading to a change in gene expression, also influencing composition of lipid mediator molecules, and modulated lipid raft formation. The cells involved in the inflammatory response are typically rich in omega-6 AA, but that composition may change. Eicosanoids produced with AA such as PGE2 and 4-series LT have proinflammatory properties, their similar EPA analogs being less potent. Also, EPA and DHA create resolvins protectins, maresins with anti-inflammatory and proresorptive capability. Improper and uncontrolled inflammation leads to a spectrum of human illnesses. In physiological conditions it is believed that there will be a balance between the pro and anti-inflammatory molecules. When the balance is disturbed we will have suppression or exacerbation of inflammation. Thus, it is necessary to maintain the balance of these bioactive lipids from various sources of PUFA for our health. There is significant evidence that these fatty acids can interfere and partially inhibit many inflammatory processes such as leukocyte chemotaxis, expression of adhesion molecules, leukocyte and endothelial interaction, production of eicosanoids such as PG and LT from omega-6 AA, and production of cytokines such as TNF-L and IL-1B. EPA and DHA operate across multiple mechanisms of action. Further understanding of the pathways of omega-3 PUFA in health and disease may lead to the development of effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases