Institute of Human Nutrition, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
Correspondence: Philip C. Calder, Institute of Human Nutrition, University of Southampton, Basset Crescent East, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK. E-mail: pcc{at}soton.ac.uk
C57Bl6 mice were fed for 6 weeks on a low-fat diet or on high-fat
diets containing coconut oil (rich in saturated fatty acids), safflower
oil [rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)], or
fish oil (rich in n-3 PUFAs) as the main fat sources. The
fatty acid composition of the spleen lymphocytes was influenced by that
of the diet fed. Thymidine incorporation into concanavalin A-stimulated
spleen lymphocytes and interleukin (IL)-2 production were highest after
feeding the coconut oil diet. Interferon (IFN)-
production was
decreased by safflower oil or fish oil feeding. IL-4 production was not
significantly affected by diet, although production was lowest by
lymphocytes from fish oil-fed mice. The ratio of production of Th1- to
Th2-type cytokines (determined as the IFN-/IL-4 ratio) was lower for
lymphocytes from mice fed the safflower oil or fish oil diets. After
4 h of culture, IL-2 mRNA levels were higher in cells from mice
fed coconut oil, and IFN- mRNA levels were higher in cells from mice
fed coconut oil or safflower oil. After 8 h of culture, IL-2,
IFN-, and IL-4 mRNA levels were lowest in cells from mice fed fish
oil. The ratio of the relative levels of IFN- mRNA to IL-4 mRNA was
highest in cells from mice fed coconut oil and was lowest in cells of
mice fed fish oil. The influence of individual fatty acids on IL-2
production by murine spleen lymphocytes was examined in
vitro. Although all fatty acids decreased IL-2 production in a
concentration-dependent manner, saturated fatty acids were the least
potent and n-3 PUFAs the most potent inhibitors, with
n-6 PUFAs falling in between in terms of potency. It is
concluded that saturated fatty acids have minimal effects on cytokine
production. In contrast, PUFAs act to inhibit production of Th1-type
cytokines with little effect on Th2-type cytokines; n-3
PUFAs are particularly potent. The effects of fatty acids on cytokine
production appear to be exerted at the level of gene expression.
Key Words: interleukin • interferon • lymphocyte • T-helper cell • fish oil • polyunsaturated fatty acid • mouse
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