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Review
. 2019 Jun 22;17(6):374.
doi: 10.3390/md17060374.

Effects of Fish n-3 PUFAs on Intestinal Microbiota and Immune System

Cinzia Parolini  1
Affiliations
Review

Effects of Fish n-3 PUFAs on Intestinal Microbiota and Immune System

Cinzia Parolini. Mar Drugs. .

Abstract

Studies over several decades have documented the beneficial actions of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are plentiful in fish oil, in different disease states. Mechanisms responsible for the efficacy of n-3 PUFAs include: (1) Reduction of triglyceride levels; (2) anti-arrhythmic and antithrombotic effects, and (3) resolution of inflammatory processes. The human microbiota project and subsequent studies using next-generation sequencing technology have highlighted that thousands of different microbial species are present in the human gut, and that there has been a significant variability of taxa in the microbiota composition among people. Several factors (gestational age, mode of delivery, diet, sanitation and antibiotic treatment) influence the bacterial community in the human gastrointestinal tract, and among these diet habits play a crucial role. The disturbances in the gut microbiota composition, i.e., gut dysbiosis, have been associated with diseases ranging from localized gastrointestinal disorders to neurologic, respiratory, metabolic, ocular, and cardiovascular illnesses. Many studies have been published about the effects of probiotics and prebiotics on the gut microbiota/microbioma. On the contrary, PUFAs in the gut microbiota have been less well defined. However, experimental studies suggested that gut microbiota, n-3 PUFAs, and host immune cells work together to ensure the intestinal wall integrity. This review discussed current evidence concerning the links among gut microbiota, n-3 PUFAs intake, and human inflammatory disease.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration; gut microbiota; immune system; inflammation; inflammatory bowel disease; n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The therapeutic potential of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in human disease.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) biosynthetic route and physiologic actions. EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid; DPA, docosapentaenoic acid; DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; Elovl5, ELOVL fatty Acid Elongase 5; Elovl2, ELOVL fatty Acid Elongase 2; Fads2, Fatty Acid Desaturase 2.
Figure 3
Figure 3
n-3 PUFAs and SPMs interplay with gut microbiota and the immune system.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The pathogenic factors involved in the development of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Altered dietary habits, dysbiosis and leaky gut, and low grade inflammation, together with aging, smoking and light exposure may influence the risk and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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