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G Fernandes

Publications and source records attributed to G Fernandes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Omega-3 fatty acid effect on alveolar bone loss in rats.

Gingival inflammation and alveolar bone resorption are hallmarks of adult periodontitis, elicited in response to oral micro-organisms such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. We hypothesized that omega (omega)-3 fatty acids (FA) dietary supplementation would modulate inflammatory reactions leading to periodontal disease in infected rats. Rats were fed fish oil (omega-3 FA) or corn oil (n-6 FA) diets for 22 weeks and were infected with P. gingivalis. Rats on the omega-3 FA diet exhibited elevated serum levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), documenting diet-induced changes. PCR analyses demonstrated that rats were orally colonized by P. gingivalis; increased IgG antibody levels substantiated this infection. P. gingivalis-infected rats treated with omega-3 FA had significantly less alveolar bone resorption. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of an omega-3 FA-supplemented diet in modulating alveolar bone resorption following P. gingivalis infection, and supported that omega-3 FA may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of periodontal disease.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗
PubMed2005

Detection of axillary metastases in breast cancer patients using ultrasound and colour Doppler combined with fine needle aspiration cytology.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasonography and colour Doppler combined with fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology for the detection of non-palpable axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients. Forty patients with operable breast cancer (T1/T2), invasive carcinoma, not submitted to neo-adjuvant therapy, underwent axillary ultrasonography and colour Doppler preoperatively. FNA cytology was performed on axillary lymph nodes presenting ultrasonographic and/or Doppler suspicious features. A total of 542 lymph nodes were surgically removed from the 40 patients; 19 were metastatic lymph nodes. Ultrasound-guided FNA detected metastases in six out of 11 histologically node-positive patients. Sensitivity and specificity in this preliminary study was 55% and 100%, respectively. These are the preliminary results of a prospective study that has the purpose of reducing the sentinel node procedures in breast cancer patients with clinically negative axillae, but positive FNA cytology.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Eicosapentaenoic acid restores tamoxifen sensitivity in breast cancer cells with high Akt activity.

BACKGROUND: Tamoxifen resistance is the underlying cause of treatment failure in a significant number of patients with breast cancer. Activation of Akt, a downstream mediator in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway has been implicated as one of the mechanisms involved in tamoxifen resistance. Breast cancers with heightened Akt activity are frequently associated with an aggressive disease and resistance to chemo- and hormone-therapy-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of PI3K restores apoptotic response to tamoxifen in hyperactive Akt cells. Therefore, agents that demonstrate Akt inhibitory properties are attractive therapeutic agents for the treatment of hormone-resistant breast cancer. n-3 fatty acids have proven to be potent and efficacious broad-spectrum protein kinase inhibitors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study we demonstrate that the n-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), inhibits the kinase activity of Akt. Co-treatment with EPA renders breast cancer cells that overexpress a constitutively active Akt more responsive to the growth inhibitory effects of tamoxifen by approximately 35%. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that EPA may be useful for the treatment of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells with high levels of activated Akt and provide the rationale to test this hypothesis in the clinic.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2002

Activated caspase 3 and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase in salivary epithelium suggest a pathogenetic mechanism for Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Apoptosis is an organized energy-dependent process of cellular self-destruction carried out by proteolytic enzymes such as the caspases. These enzymes may play a role in epithelial cell apoptosis in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). A classical caspase substrate is poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP), a DNA repair enzyme. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for salivary gland dysfunction in SS, we studied the expression of caspase and PARP in SS salivary gland biopsies. METHODS: The presence of activated caspases (caspases 3 and 9) and cleaved PARP (85 kDa) in SS biopsies was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry using specific polyclonal antibodies. RESULTS: Initial studies performed with an antibody reagent that recognizes both active and inactive forms of caspase 3 identified this enzyme in SS salivary ductal and acinar cells. Activated caspase 3 and cleaved PARP were strongly expressed in ductal and acinar cells in SS salivary glands (13/15). Ductal and acinar cells from normal salivary glands (n=5) stained with less intensity compared with SS tissue. Staining for activated caspase 9 was negative in all samples. Likewise, infiltrating lymphocytes were negative for caspase 3, caspase 9 and cleaved PARP. CONCLUSION: This study shows that caspase 3 is important in the salivary dysfunction of SS, while caspase 9 appears not to be involved.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2001

Maintenance of NF-kappaB activation in T-lymphocytes and a naive T-cell population in autoimmune-prone (NZB/NZW)F(1) mice by feeding a food-restricted diet enriched with n-3 fatty acids.

We have previously shown that feeding a fish oil (FO) supplemented diet in combination with 40% food restriction (FO/FR) has a greater impact on extending life span in lupus-prone (NZB x NZW)F1 mice than either FO ad libitum (FO/AL) or corn oil food restricted (CO/FR) alone. Lupus disease is associated with increased Th-2 (i.e., IL-6 and IL-10) cytokine production and reduced IL-2 production and NF-kappaB activation. We hypothesized that the mechanism of action by which FO/FR increases life span may involve alterations in T-lymphocyte signaling and subsequent cytokine production. To test this hypothesis, we isolated and then stimulated splenic T-lymphocytes ex vivo with anti-CD3 and -CD28 monoclonal antibodies. We report here that CO/FR and FO/FR and to a lesser extent FO/AL offset disease-associated losses in Th-1 cytokine production, CD69 expression, and NF-kappaB activation in splenic T-lymphocytes activated ex vivo. Similarly, CO/FR and FO/FR prevented the disease-dependent rise in Th-2 cytokine production ex vivo and CD69 expression in vivo. In essence, the T-lymphocyte phenotype in the old CO/FR and FO/FR groups was identical to that in the young disease-free mice. Taken together, the data suggest that both CO/FR and FO/FR increase life span, in part, by maintaining a youthful immune phenotype in autoimmune-prone mice. However, FO/FR appears to represent a more potent dietary strategy in delaying disease-associated immune dysregulation than CO/FR.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Caloric restriction mimetics: metabolic interventions.

Caloric restriction (CR) retards diseases and aging in laboratory rodents and is now being tested in nonhuman primates. One way to apply these findings to human health is to identify and test agents that may mimic critical actions of CR. Panel 2 focused on two outcomes of CR, reduction of oxidative stress and improved glucoregulation, for which candidate metabolic mimics exist. It was recommended that studies on oxidative stress should emphasize mitochondrial function and to test the efficacy of nitrone and other antioxidants in mimicking CR's effects. Studies should also focus on the long-term effects of compounds known to lower circulating glucose and insulin concentrations or to increase insulin sensitivity. Also, four other developing areas were identified: intermediary metabolism, response to infection, stress responses, and source of dietary fat. These areas are important because either they hold promise for the discovery of new mimetics or they need to be explored prior to initiation of CR trials in humans. Other recommendations were that transgenic approaches and adult-onset CR should be emphasized in future studies.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Life span is prolonged in food-restricted autoimmune-prone (NZB x NZW)F(1) mice fed a diet enriched with (n-3) fatty acids.

Moderate food and/or energy (calorie) restriction delays age-related immune dysfunction and prolongs life span in multiple animal models. The amount and type of dietary fatty acids can also profoundly affect life span. Marine-derived fish oils contain (n-3) fatty acids, which have potent anti-inflammatory properties. We therefore examined the influence of food restriction (40% overall reduction in intake of all dietary components) combined with substitution of fish oil for corn oil in a factorial design. Autoimmune-prone (NZB x NZW)F(1) (B/W) mice, which develop fatal autoimmune renal disease, were used. The food-restricted/fish oil diet maximally extended median life span to 645 d (vs. 494 d for the food-restricted corn oil diet). Similarly, fish oil prolonged life span in the ad libitum-fed mice to 345 d (vs. 242 for the ad libitum/corn oil diet). Increased life span was partially associated with decreased body weight, blunting renal proinflammatory cytokine (interferon-gamma, interleukins-10 and -12 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) levels and lower nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Reductions in NF-kappaB were preceded by enhanced superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities. These findings demonstrate the profound additive effects of food restriction and (n-3) fatty acids in prolonging life span in B/W mice. These observations may have additional implications in the management of obesity, diabetes, cancer and/or the aging process.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2001

Effects of calorie restriction on polymicrobial peritonitis induced by cecum ligation and puncture in young C57BL/6 mice.

Calorie restriction (CR) is known to prolong the life span and maintain an active immune function in aged mice, but it is still not known if rodents under CR can respond optimally to bacterial infection. We report here on the influence of CR on the response of peritoneal macrophages to lipopolysaccharide, splenic NF-kappaB and NF-interleukin-6 (IL-6) activities, and mortality in polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Macrophages from 6-month-old C57BL/6 mice on a calorie-restricted diet were less responsive to lipopolysaccharide, as evidenced by lower levels of IL-12 and IL-6 protein and mRNA expression. Furthermore, in vitro lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages from mice under CR also expressed decreased lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14 levels as well as Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 mRNA levels. In addition, the phagocytic capacity and class II (I-A(b)) expression of macrophages were also found to be significantly lower in mice under CR. Mice under CR died earlier (P < 0.005) after sepsis induced by CLP, which appeared to be a result of increased levels in serum of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-6 and splenic NF-kappaB and NF-IL-6 activation 4 h after CLP. However, mice under CR survived significantly (P < 0.005) longer than mice fed ad libitum when injected with paraquat, a free radical-inducing agent. These data suggest that young mice under CR may be protected against oxidative stress but may have delayed maturation of macrophage function and increased susceptibility to bacterial infection.

Aging↗
PubMed2001

Inhibitory effects of voluntary wheel exercise on apoptosis in splenic lymphocyte subsets of C57BL/6 mice.

Two-month-old mice were placed in cages with (Ex) or without exercise running wheels with free access to the wheel 24 h/day for 10 mo. An equal amount of food for both groups was provided daily. Ex mice ran an average of 33.67 km/wk initially, and exercise decreased gradually with age. Ex mice had gained an average of 43.5% less body weight at the end of the experiment. Although serum lipid peroxides were not altered by exercise, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in serum were significantly increased. Flow cytometric analysis of spleen cells revealed an increased percentage of CD8+ T cells and a decreased percentage of CD19+ B cells in Ex mice (P < 0.05). Exercise decreased apoptosis in total splenocytes and CD4+ cells incubated with medium alone or with H(2)O(2), dexamethasone, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (P < 0.05) and CD8+ cells with medium alone or with TNF-alpha (P < 0.05). Even though exercise did not alter the intracellular cytokines (TNF-alpha and interleukin-2) or Fas ligand, it did significantly lower interferon-gamma in CD4+ and CD8+ cells (P < 0.05). In summary, voluntary wheel exercise appears to decrease H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis in immune cells as well as decrease interferon-gamma production.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Three percent dietary fish oil concentrate increased efficacy of doxorubicin against MDA-MB 231 breast cancer xenografts.

Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (the type of fat found in fish oil) have been used to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells in culture and in animal models and to increase the effectiveness of cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. An AIN-76 diet containing 5% corn oil (CO) was modified to contain 3% w/w fish oil concentrate (FOC) and 2% CO to test whether a clinically applicable amount of FOC is beneficial during doxorubicin (DOX) treatment of cancer xenografts in mice. Compared with the diet containing 5% CO, consumption of FOC increased omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid peroxidation in tumor and liver, significantly decreased the ratio of glutathione peroxidase activity to superoxide dismutase activity (a putative indicator of increased oxidative stress) in tumor but not in the liver, and significantly decreased the tumor-growth rate. The decreased glutathione peroxidase:superoxide dismutase ratio, indicating an altered redox state, in the tumor of FOC-fed mice was significantly correlated with decreased tumor-growth rate. Assay of the body weight change, blood cell counts, and number of micronuclei in peripheral erythrocytes indicated that the toxicity of DOX to the host mouse was not increased in mice fed FOC. Thus, a small amount of FOC increased the effectiveness of DOX but did not increase the toxicity of DOX to the host mouse. These positive results justify clinical testing of FOC in conjunction with cancer chemotherapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Reduced food consumption increases water intake and modulates renal aquaporin-1 and -2 expression in autoimmune prone mice.

Aquaporin-1(AQP1) and AQP2 are members of the aquaporin family of cell membrane water channel transport proteins and have been implicated in the regulation of renal water excretion. We have previously shown that calorie restriction (CR) relative to ad libitum (AL) feeding extends lifespan and delays the onset of autoimmune kidney disease in lupus-prone (NZBxNZW)F1 (B/W) mice. To determine if AQP1 and/or AQP2 expression is influenced by CR, mice were fed an AL or CR (40% less food) diet until 4 (young) or 9 (old) months of age when mice were sacrificed. Kidneys were removed and the expression of AQP1 and AQP2 was determined at the protein and mRNA levels using western blotting and RT-PCR respectively. While age did not significantly increase AQP1 expression in the AL groups, CR did increase both the protein (1.4-fold) and mRNA (2.4-fold) levels. In old mice, AQP1 expression was higher (1.8-fold) in CR compared to the AL group while CR had no effect in young mice. In contrast, AQP2 showed an age related decrease (55%) in the AL groups and an increase in the protein (8.4-fold) and mRNA (1.7-fold) levels in the CR groups. Relative to AL, CR decreased AQP2 expression at the protein (90%) and mRNA (50%) levels in the young mice while an increase at the protein (2.9-fold) and mRNA (1.9-fold) levels was evident in the old mice. Interestingly, a significant increase in water intake per gram body weight was found in both young and old CR fed mice when compared to their AL counterparts which may contribute to the prevention of autoimmune disease with age and differences in longevity. These data show, for the first time, significant age and diet influences in renal AQP1 and AQP2 expression at both protein and mRNA levels in lupus-prone mice.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Calorie restriction decreases proinflammatory cytokines and polymeric Ig receptor expression in the submandibular glands of autoimmune prone (NZB x NZW)F1 mice.

Calorie restriction or fish oil (enriched in n-3 fatty acids) supplementation ameliorates glomerulonephritis and Sjögren's syndrome lesions in (NZB x NZW)F1(B/W) mice. Enhanced proinflammatory cytokine expression and deposition of immune complexes are the important pathological events in the development of Sjögren's syndrome. In the present study, we have examined the effect of calorie restriction and fish oil supplementation on the expression of key inflammatory cytokines [gamma interferon (INF-gamma), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and IL-12] and polymeric immunoglobulin (Ig) receptor (pIgR) (receptor for IgA and IgM) and the secretion of Ig in the submandibular glands (SMG) of B/W mice. Weanling B/W mice were fed either ad libitum (AL) or calorie restricted (CR) (40% less calories than AL) diet supplemented with 5% corn oil (CO) or 5% fish oil (FO) until 4 or 9 months of age. The SMGs were removed and a portion of the tissue used for semiquantitive determinations of IFN-gamma, IL-10, IL-12 (p40), and pIgR mRNA. The remaining SMG tissue was fragmented and cultured for 7 days and the culture supernatants assayed for IgA, IgM, and IgG2a levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results revealed a significant increase in the expression of IFN-gamma, IL-10, and IL-12 mRNA with age in AL fed mice, whereas CR fed mice maintained their levels to near those seen in young animals regardless of the dietary fat. PIgR mRNA expression also remained unaltered in CR animals irrespective of age and dietary fat, while it was found significantly increased in AL fed mice. CR significantly inhibited the elevated levels of IgA and IgG2a seen in aged mice. Interestingly, CR also influenced the Ig level in young animals. In summary, these results indicate that amelioration of autoimmune disease by CR in B/W mice is possibly mediated by the lowered mRNA expression of IFN-gamma, IL-10, IL-12, and pIgR and the reduced Ig secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Dietary (n-6) and (n-3) fatty acids and energy restriction modulate mesenteric lymph node lymphocyte function in autoimmune-prone (NZB x NZW)F1 mice.

We previously showed that dietary fish oil (FO) and energy restriction (R) have beneficial anti-inflammatory properties in the peripheral blood and spleens of (NZB x NZW)F1 (B/W) lupus-prone mice. Furthermore, unsaturated fatty acids also were shown in the past to influence mesenteric lymph node (MLN) lymphocyte function in healthy young rats. The MLN play a pivotal role in mediating food allergy. To date, the effect of R on intestinal immunity is not well understood; therefore we determined the effect of diet on MLN lymphocyte function. Mice were given either free access to a 5 g/100 g corn oil (CO) or fish oil (FO) diet or the same corn oil (CR) or fish oil (FR) diets restricted to 60% of the intake of the control group. At the age of 4 (young) and 8 (old) mo, MLN lymphocytes were isolated and B- (CD19(+)) and T-lymphocyte subsets (CD4(+) and CD8(+)) were determined by flow cytometry. Additional MLN lymphocytes were placed in culture with or without concanavalin A and culture supernatants collected after 72 h for cytokine and immunoglobulin (Ig) quantitation by ELISA. Aging significantly (P < 0.05) decreased both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocytes. Spontaneous and activation-induced interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, and interferon-gamma secretion were greater while IL-2 was lower in CO-fed old mice compared to CO-fed young mice. In contrast, CR or FO alone partially blunted the age-dependent alterations in T-lymphocyte ratios including cytokine and Ig secretion, whereas the FR diet significantly (P < 0.005) normalized the accelerated aging effects on these immune variables. We show for the first time that FR is a far more potent anti-inflammatory therapy than either CR or FO alone in modulating MLN lymphocyte function.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Calorie restriction increases Fas/Fas-ligand expression and apoptosis in murine splenic lymphocytes.

One-month-old male ICR mice were fed a nutritionally adequate, semipurified diet, either ad libitum (AL) or calorie restricted (CR) (40% less food) for 6 months and were killed to obtain spleens. Flow cytometric analysis revealed increased proportions of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in CR-fed mice compared to AL-fed mice. The T cell subsets of CR-fed mice were also found to have higher levels of plasma membrane Fas receptor expression. Similarly, Fas-ligand (Fas-L) expression was higher in anti-CD3-stimulated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. CR-fed mice also had increased numbers of annexin V-positive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in stimulated splenic lymphocytes suggesting an increased potential for apoptosis. Fas and Fas-L gene expression in splenic lymphocytes, which correlated closely with the observed increased rate of apoptosis, was significantly increased in CR-fed mice compared to AL-fed mice. In conclusion, these results indicate that CR increases the expression of Fas and Fas-L which may contribute to the known beneficial effects of CR such as prolongation of life span by activating chronic physiologically mediated apoptosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Modulation of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in salivary gland and other tissues in mice by moderate treadmill exercise.

The current experiments were designed to study the effect of moderate treadmill training exercise on lipid peroxides and antioxidant enzyme activity in various tissues of ICR mice. Three-month-old female mice were trained on a treadmill to run daily from 45 to 50 minutes, at 1 km per hour, 6 days a week for a total of 8 weeks. At the end of the 8-week endurance-training period, both sedentary control (SC) and exercise-trained (ET) mice were sacrificed, and various tissues were collected to measure antioxidant enzyme activity. The results showed weight gain and serum lipid peroxides significantly decreased in ET mice compared to SC mice. Also, although lipid peroxide levels in kidney and salivary glands were found to be significantly decreased in ET mice, these mice showed higher lipid peroxide levels in the liver compared to SC mice. No change was observed in heart and calf muscle tissue of the ET mice. Exercise was also noted to increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in kidney, heart, and calf muscle homogenates. Increases in catalase activity were present in liver, heart, calf muscle, and salivary gland homogenates of ET mice compared to their SC counterparts. Exercise was also shown to increase glutathione peroxidase activity in liver, kidney, and heart homogenates, as well as glutathione transferase activity in liver and salivary gland homogenates. In addition, exercise training was found to increase reduced and total glutathione levels in heart, calf muscle, and salivary gland. These results indicate that moderate exercise is beneficial to the lowering of lipid peroxides and the increasing of antioxidant enzyme activity specifically in the salivary gland, and also in various organs. However, its beneficial effect on elevation of antioxidant enzymes and suppression of lipid peroxide, varies from organ to organ.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Calorie restriction modulates Th-1 and Th-2 cytokine-induced immunoglobulin secretion in young and old C57BL/6 cultured submandibular glands.

Immunoglobulin production by the salivary gland plays an important role in oral and upper respiratory tract immunity. Age and/or disease may compromise salivary gland function. In order to gain insight into the role of calorie restriction (CR) on immunoglobulin (Ig) production, we determined the effect of ad libitum (AL) feeding and CR in young (3 months) and old (18-24 months) C57BL/6 mouse submandibular glands (SM). The SM tissues were fragmented and cultured in the absence (control) or presence of either Th-1 cytokines, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), or Th-2 cytokines, e.g. IL-4 and IL-5, for seven days. Culture supernatants were then analyzed for immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, and IgG2a levels by ELISA. Aging increased basal (control) IgA and IgM production by 3.1-and 3.7-fold, respectively, in AL mice. CR prevented the age-dependent rise of both IgA and IgM, maintaining levels equal to those of young AL mice. Interestingly, age resulted in a decrease of Th-1 cytokine-induced IgA and IgM, and increased IgG2a secretion in AL mice, while Th-2 cytokines did not appear to have an age effect. In general, CR suppressed Ig production induced by both Th-1 and Th-2 cytokines in young mice. In contrast, CR in old mice resulted in enhanced IgA and IgM production to levels similar to those in their young counterparts, while IgG2a was predominantly suppressed by Th-1 and not Th-2 cytokines. The data presented herein show, for the first time, the ability of CR to offset age-induced changes in submandibular gland Ig production, which may play a role in maintaining mucosal immune function, including proper oral health.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Induction of apoptosis and apoptotic mediators in Balb/C splenic lymphocytes by dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids.

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on anti-CD3 and anti-Fas antibody-induced apoptosis and its mediators in mouse spleen cells. Nutritionally adequate semipurified diets containing either 5% w/w corn oil (n-6 PUFA) or fish oil (n-3 PUFA) were fed to weanling female Balb/C mice, and 24 wk later mice were sacrificed. In n-3 PUFA-fed mice, serum and splenocyte lipid peroxides were increased by 20 and 28.3% respectively, compared to n-6 PUFA-fed mice. Further, serum vitamin E levels were decreased by 50% in the n-3 PUFA-fed group, whereas higher anti-Fas- and anti-CD3-induced apoptosis (65 and 66%) and necrosis (17 and 25%), compared to the n-6 PUFA-fed group, were found when measured with Annexin V and propidium iodide staining, respectively. In addition, decreased Bcl-2 and increased Fas-ligand (Fas-L) also were observed in the n-3 PUFA-fed group compared to the n-6 PUFA-fed group. No difference in the ratio of splenocyte subsets nor their Fas expression was observed between the n-3 PUFA-fed and n-6 PUFA-fed groups, whereas decreased proliferation of splenocytes was found in n-3 PUFA-fed mice compared to n-6 PUFA-fed mice. In conclusion, our results indicate that dietary n-3 PUFA induces higher apoptosis by increasing the generation of lipid peroxides and elevating Fas-L expression along with decreasing Bcl-2 expression. A reduced proliferative response of immune cells also was observed in n-3 PUFA-fed mice.

Animals↗