Insights into the cardioprotective properties of n-3 PUFAs against ischemic heart disease via modulation of the innate immune system

Publication date: Available online 5 May 2019Source: Chemico-Biological InteractionsAuthor(s): Ahmed M. Darwesh, Deanna K. Sosnowski, Tim YT. Lee, Hedieh Keshavarz-Bahaghighat, John M. SeubertAbstractIschemic heart diseases (IHD) is a major cause of cardiovascular death and disability worldwide. IHD is characterized by an imbalance between cardiac oxygen supply and demand predominantly due to obstruction of coronary arteries. Activation of the innate immune system and the consequent inflammatory response is an important contributor in the pathogenesis of IHD. An excessive and uncontrolled inflammatory response contributes to the adverse cardiac remodeling and fibrosis, making inflammation an important therapeutic target for improving outcomes in the cascade of IHD. While there are many discrepancies in the literature, evidence from both bench and clinical research demonstrate the beneficial effects of increased n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), toward IHD. N-3 PUFA, and their metabolites, have been demonstrated to modulate different aspects of the immune system, including the expression of adhesion molecules, cytokines, leukocyte chemotaxis and inflammasome formation. In this article, we provide a brief overview of the role of the innate immune system in IHD and focus on the immunomodulatory effects of n-3 PUFAs and their biologically active metabolites.
Source: Chemico Biological Interactions - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research