Biomedical subjects

Gabriel Fernandes

Publications and source records attributed to Gabriel Fernandes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Conjugated linoleic acid protects against age-associated bone loss in C57BL/6 female mice.

Osteoporosis is one of the major causes of morbidity in the elderly. Inflammation exerts a significant influence on bone turnover, inducing the chronic form of osteoporosis. Dietary nutrition has the capacity to modulate inflammatory response. Therefore, nutritional strategies and lifestyle changes may prevent age-related osteoporosis, thereby improving the quality of life of the elderly population. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to positively influence calcium and bone metabolism. Hence, this study was undertaken to examine the effect of CLA on bone mineral density (BMD) in middle-aged C57BL/6 female mice. After 10 weeks on diet, CLA-fed mice (14 months) maintained a higher BMD in different bone regions than corn oil (CO)-fed mice. The increased BMD was accompanied by a decreased activity of proinflammatory cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and the receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand) and decreased osteoclast function. Furthermore, a significant decrease in fat mass and an increase in muscle mass were also observed in CLA-fed mice compared to CO-fed mice. In conclusion, these findings suggest that CLA may prevent the loss of bone and muscle mass by modulating markers of inflammation and osteoclastogenic factors.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2006

Effect of fish oil on bone mineral density in aging C57BL/6 female mice.

Life expectancy has increased considerably over the last century in the United States. It is expected that this longevity will be accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of osteoporosis and accompanying complications in the elderly population. Age-related loss of bone mass and bone fragility are major risk factors for osteoporosis, leading to an increased risk of fractures. Therefore, nutritional strategies and lifestyle changes that prevent age-related osteoporosis and improve the quality of life for the elderly population are urgently needed. Hence, the present study compared the effects of corn oil (CO; n-6 fatty acids; commonly present in Western diets) and fish oil (FO; n-3 fatty acids) on bone mineral density (BMD) in aging C57BL/6 female mice. After 6 months of dietary treatment, we found that 18-month-old FO-fed mice maintained higher BMD in different bone regions compared to CO-fed mice. These findings were accompanied by a decreased activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in stimulated splenocytes; a nonsignificant but greater increase in bone formation markers alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in the serum; and lower osteoclast generation in bone marrow cell cultures in FO-fed mice. In conclusion, these findings suggest that providing n-3 fatty acids may have a beneficial effect on bone mass during aging by modulating bone formation and bone resorption factors.

Aging↗

PubMed2006

Inhibition of inflammatory response in transgenic fat-1 mice on a calorie-restricted diet.

Both n-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) and calorie-restriction (CR) exert anti-inflammatory effects in animal models of autoimmunity and inflammation. In the present study we investigated the synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 FA and CR on LPS-mediated inflammatory responses using fat-1 transgenic mice that generate n-3 FA endogenously. Wild-type (WT) and fat-1 mice were maintained on ad libitum (AL) or CR (40% less than AL) diet for 5 mo; splenocytes were cultured in vitro with/without LPS. Our results show: (i) no difference in body weights between WT and fat-1 mice on AL or CR diets, (ii) lower n-6/n-3 FA ratio in splenocytes from fat-1 mice on both AL and CR diets, (iii) significant reduction in NF-kappaB (p65/p50) and AP-1 (c-Fos/c-Jun) DNA-binding activities in splenocytes from fat-1/CR mice following LPS treatment, and (iv) significant reduction in kappaB- and AP-1-responsive IL-6 and TNF-alpha secretion following LPS treatment in splenocytes from fat-1/CR mice. The inhibition of LPS-mediated effects was more pronounced in fat-1/CR mice when compared to fat-1/AL or WT/CR mice. These data show that transgenic expression of fat-1 results in decreased pro-inflammatory n-6 FA, and demonstrate for the first time that splenocytes from fat-1 mice on CR diet exhibit reduced pro-inflammatory response when challenged with LPS. These results suggest that n-3 lipids with moderate CR may confer protection in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Conjugated linoleic acid inhibits osteoclast differentiation of RAW264.7 cells by modulating RANKL signaling.

Bone destruction is a pathological hallmark of several chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, periodontitis, and osteoporosis. Inflammation-induced bone loss of this sort results from increased numbers of bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Numerous studies have indicated that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) positively influences calcium and bone metabolism. Gene-deletion studies have shown that receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) is one of the critical mediators of osteoclastogenesis. In this report, we examine the ability of CLA to suppress RANKL signaling and osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells, a murine monocytic cell line. Treatment of these cells with RANKL activated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), and preexposure of the cells to CLA significantly suppressed RANKL-induced NF-kappaB activation, including phosphorylation of I-kappaBalpha, degradation of I-kappaBalpha, and nuclear translocation of p65. RANKL induced osteoclastogenesis in these monocytic cells, and CLA inhibited RANKL-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and osteoclast differentiation, including osteoclast-specific genes such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, cathepsin K, calcitonin receptor, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and osteoclast-specific transcription factors such as c-Fos, nuclear factor of activated T-cells expression, and bone resorption pit formation. CLA also inhibited RANKL-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 but had little effect on c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation. Collectively, these data demonstrate for the first time that CLA inhibits osteoclastogenesis by modulating RANKL signaling. Thus, CLA may have important therapeutic implications for the treatment of bone diseases associated with enhanced bone resorption by excessive osteoclastogenesis.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed2006

Biological effects of conjugated linoleic acids in health and disease.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a mixture of positional and geometric isomers of octadecadienoic acid [linoleic acid (LA), 18:2n-6] commonly found in beef, lamb and dairy products. The most abundant isomer of CLA in nature is the cis-9, trans-11 (c9t11) isomer. Commercially available CLA is usually a 1:1 mixture of c9t11 and trans-10, cis-12 (t10c12) isomers with other isomers as minor components. Conjugated LA isomer mixture and c9t11 and t10c12 isomers alone have been attributed to provide several health benefits that are largely based on animal and in vitro studies. Conjugated LA has been attributed many beneficial effects in prevention of atherosclerosis, different types of cancer, hypertension and also known to improve immune function. More recent literature with availability of purified c9t11 and t10c12 isomers suggests that t10c12 is the sole isomer involved in antiadipogenic role of CLA. Other studies in animals and cell lines suggest that the two isomers may act similarly or antagonistically to alter cellular function and metabolism, and may also act through different signaling pathways. The effect of CLA and individual isomers shows considerable variation between different strains (BALB/C mice vs. C57BL/6 mice) and species (e.g., rats vs. mice). The dramatic effects seen in animal studies have not been reflected in some clinical studies. This review comprehensively discusses the recent studies on the effects of CLA and individual isomers on body composition, cardiovascular disease, bone health, insulin resistance, mediators of inflammatory response and different types of cancer, obtained from both in vitro and animal studies. This review also discusses the latest available information from clinical studies in these areas of research.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Different ratios of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic omega-3 fatty acids in commercial fish oils differentially alter pro-inflammatory cytokines in peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6 female mice.

The use of fish oil (FO) as a dietary supplement to prevent or reduce the severity of cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis is receiving much attention. Several recent reports indicate that eating fish often or the use of small doses of FO capsules appears to have benefits against cardiovascular diseases. We have reported in the past that diets enriched with FO protect against renal diseases and prolong the life span of autoimmune-prone mice compared to corn oil (CO) diets. However, the optimum ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in commercially available FOs to reduce the production of various pro-inflammatory cytokines has not been well established. We, therefore, obtained deodorized FO from three sources containing different EPA/DHA contents, fed them to C57BL/6 mice for 8 weeks in a 10% (vol/wt) diet (oil A, 11/10; oil B, 14/9; oil C, 23/14) and compared them with (10%) CO-fed mice as control. TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in thioglycollate-induced macrophages, 8 and 24 h after lipopolysaccharide treatment. The results showed a significant decrease in TNF-alpha after only 8 h in oil C. After 24 h, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta levels decreased only in mice fed oil C, although nonsignificant decreases were seen in mice fed oil A compared to mice fed CO. The antioxidant enzymes, catalase and glutathione transferase, were higher in kidneys of mice fed oil C compared to mice fed CO. The study suggests that anti-inflammatory activity may vary among different sources of FO due to variations in EPA/DHA content.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid and exercise on bone mass in young male Balb/C mice.

There is an increase in obesity among the population of industrialized countries, and dietary supplementation with Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) has been reported to lower body fat mass. However, weight loss is generally associated with negative effects on bone mass, but CLA is reported to have beneficial effects on bone. Furthermore, another factor that is well established to have a beneficial effect on bone is exercise (EX). However, a combination therapy of CLA and EX on bone health has not been studied. In this paper, we report the beneficial effects of CLA and EX on bone, in four different groups of Balb-C young, male mice. There were 4 groups in our study: 1. Safflower oil (SFO) sedentary (SED); 2. SFO EX; 3. CLA SED; 4. CLA EX. Two months old mice, under their respective treatment regimens were followed for 14 weeks. Mice were scanned in vivo using a DEXA scanner before and after treatment. At the end of the treatment period, the animals were sacrificed, the left tibia was removed and scanned using peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (pQCT). The results showed that although CLA decreased gain in body weight by 35%, it however increased bone mass by both reducing bone resorption and increasing bone formation. EX also decreased gain in body weight by 21% and increased bone mass; but a combination of CLA and EX, however, did not show any further increase in bone mass. In conclusion, CLA increases bone mass in both cancellous and cortical bones, and the effects of CLA on bone is not further improved by EX in pure cortical bone of young male mice.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2006

Anti-inflammatory action of dietary fish oil and calorie restriction.

Inflammation, inflammatory mediators, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) are all influenced by age-related oxidative status. To investigate the effect of dietary fish oil (FO) and calorie restriction (CR) on oxidative stress-related inflammatory status with age, (NZB/NZW) F1 (B/W) mice were fed for 4 and 9 months either ad libitum or calorie-restricted (60% of ad libitum intake) diets containing 5% corn oil or 5% FO. We measured several key oxidative and inflammatory markers: TBARS, xanthine oxidase (XOD)-derived superoxide generation, and PGE2 and LTB4 production. Expressions of renal COX-1, COX-2, and iNOS mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR; additionally, COX-2 protein was estimated by Western-blot method. Results show that FO intake and CR individually and together suppressed age-related increases in lipid peroxidation and superoxide generation. The inhibitory effects of dietary FO and CR were also found for iNOS expression, COX-2 expression, which subsequently led to the suppression of PGE2 and LTB4. We conclude that the beneficial effects of FO feeding and CR are synergistic in ameliorating the age-related nephritis of B/W mice by suppressing COX-2 and iNOS, reactive species generation, and pro-inflammatory mediators.

Aging↗

PubMed2006

Conjugated linoleic acid and chromium lower body weight and visceral fat mass in high-fat-diet-fed mice.

More than half of the U.S. population has a body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or more, which classifies them as overweight or obese. Obesity is often associated with comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. CLA and chromium have emerged as major dietary supplements that reduce body weight and fat mass, and increase basal metabolic rate in animal models. However, studies show that CLA induces insulin resistance in mice and in humans, whereas Cr improves insulin sensitivity. Hence, we designed the present study to examine the combined effect of CLA and Cr on body composition and insulin sensitivity in a Balb/c mice (n = 10/group) model of high-fat-diet-induced obesity. CLA alone lowered body weight, total body fat mass, and visceral fat mass, the last of which decreased further with the combination of CLA and Cr. This effect was accompanied by decreased serum leptin levels in CLA-fed and CLA + Cr-fed mice, and by higher energy expenditure (EE) and oxygen consumption (OC) in CLA + Cr-fed mice. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as insulin resistance index (IRI), decreased with CLA, whereas CLA and Cr in combination had significant effects on insulin and IL-6 concentrations and IRI. In summary, CLA + Cr decreased body weight and fat mass in high-fat-diet-fed mice, which may be associated with decreased leptin levels and higher EE and OC.

Adiponectin↗

PubMed2005

Inhibition of osteoporosis in autoimmune disease prone MRL/Mpj-Fas(lpr) mice by N-3 fatty acids.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease involving the breakdown of cartilage and juxta-articular bone, which is often accompanied by decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of fracture. Anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids may prevent arthritis and bone loss in MRL/lpr mice model of arthritis and in humans. METHODS: In this study, the effect of long term feeding of 10% dietary n-3 (fish oil (FO)) and n-6 (corn oil (CO)) fatty acids begun at 6 weeks of age on bone mineral density (BMD) in different bone regions in an MRL/lpr female mouse model of RA was measured at 6, 9, and 12 months of age by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). After sacrificing the mice at 12 months of age, antioxidant enzyme activities were measured in spleen, mRNA for receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) was measured by RT-PCR in lymph nodes, and synovitis was measured in leg joints. RESULTS: At 6, 9 and 12 months of age, BMD was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in distal femur, proximal tibia, and lumbar spine of FO fed mice than those of CO fed mice. Spleen catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also significantly higher (p < 0.01) in FO fed mice than in CO fed mice. Histology of knee joints revealed mild synovitis in CO fed mice, which was not present in FO fed mice. RT-PCR analysis of lymph nodes revealed decreased RANKL mRNA (p < 0.001) expression and enhanced OPG mRNA expression (p < 0.01) in FO fed mice compared to CO fed mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest beneficial effects of long-term FO feeding in maintaining higher BMD and lower synovitis in this mouse model. These beneficial effects may be due, in part, to increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, decreased expression of RANKL, and increased expression of OPG in FO fed mice thereby altering the RANKL/OPG ratio. These significant beneficial effects on BMD suggest that FO may serve as an effective dietary supplement to prevent BMD loss in patients with RA.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2005

The combination of dietary conjugated linoleic acid and treadmill exercise lowers gain in body fat mass and enhances lean body mass in high fat-fed male Balb/C mice.

Nearly half of the U.S. adult population is overweight or obese, which may be related to increased energy intake combined with lack of physical activity. Obesity increases the risk of several chronic diseases including diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) were shown to decrease fat and increase lean mass in several animal studies. However, the effects of CLA in combination with exercise (Ex) on body composition have not been studied in an animal model. We examined the effect of a low concentration of either safflower oil as control (0.5%) or mixed isomers of CLA (0.4%) along with treadmill exercise on body composition in male Balb/C mice fed a high-fat diet (20% corn oil) in a 2 x 2 factorial design. CLA consumption lowered change in fat mass (P < 0.001) confirming the results of other studies, and change in fat mass decreased further (P < 0.001) with CLA and exercise. Change in lean mass did not increase with exercise alone; it increased, although not significantly, with CLA alone and increased significantly (P < 0.05) due to the combination of CLA and exercise. This effect was accompanied by decreased serum leptin levels and lower leptin mRNA expression in peritoneal fat (P < 0.001). Serum insulin, glucose, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin-6 were lower in CLA-fed mice than in controls (P < 0.05), whereas serum TNF-alpha was increased by exercise (P < 0.05). Exercise increased oxygen consumption and energy expenditure when measured under resting conditions (P < 0.05). In summary, the combination of dietary CLA and exercise decreased fat mass and increased lean mass in mice fed a high-fat diet, and these effects may be related in part to decreased serum leptin and exercise-induced increases in oxygen consumption and energy expenditure.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2005

The modulation of prostate cancer risk with alpha-tocopherol: a pilot randomized, controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Studies suggest that vitamin E may decrease the risk of prostate cancer. The Prevention Research Veteran Affairs E-vitamin Nutrition Trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study designed to assess the effects of vitamin E supplementation on biomarkers associated with prostate cancer risk in peripheral blood and prostate tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 44 patients with increased prostate specific antigen (PSA) and/or abnormal digital rectal examination on initial evaluation were randomized to receive 400 IU vitamin E (22) vs placebo (22). Serum vitamin E, PSA, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured in the 2 groups at baseline and then at 3-month intervals. Results are reported in 28 patients (placebo in 14 and vitamin E in 14) who completed the treatment as specified by the protocol. RESULTS: Serum Vitamin E was significantly higher in patients on vitamin E supplementation. alpha-Tocopherol supplementation did not affect the levels of PSA, serum androgens (testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone) or (IGF-1). CONCLUSIONS: Serum alpha-tocopherol is increased by oral supplementation of vitamin E. We found that alpha-tocopherol supplementation has no effect on serum androgens, IGF-1 or PSA. The lack of an effect of vitamin supplementation on PSA avoids any bias in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in vitamin E treated patients. Our results suggest that a decrease in prostate cancer risk with alpha-tocopherol is likely to occur through a mechanism that is nonhormonal and independent of IGF-1.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2004

The mechanism of the enhanced antioxidant effects against superoxide anion radicals of reduced water produced by electrolysis.

We reported that reduced water produced by electrolysis enhanced the antioxidant effects of proton donors such as ascorbic acid (AsA) in a previous paper. We also demonstrated that reduced water produced by electrolysis of 2 mM NaCl solutions did not show antioxidant effects by itself. We reasoned that the enhancement of antioxidant effects may be due to the increase of the ionic product of water as solvent. The ionic product of water (pKw) was estimated by measurements of pH and by a neutralization titration method. As an indicator of oxidative damage, Reactive Oxygen Species- (ROS) mediated DNA strand breaks were measured by the conversion of supercoiled phiX-174 RF I double-strand DNA to open and linear forms. Reduced water had a tendency to suppress single-strand breakage of DNA induced by reactive oxygen species produced by H2O2/Cu (II) and HQ/Cu (II) systems. The enhancement of superoxide anion radical dismutation activity can be explained by changes in the ionic product of water in the reduced water.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2004

Regulation of immune function by calorie restriction and cyclophosphamide treatment in lupus-prone NZB/NZW F1 mice.

We compared the effects of calorie restriction (CR) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) on the progression of lupus nephritis and immunological changes in NZB/NZW F1 mice. Ad libitum (AL)/CTX and CR delayed onset of proteinuria and significantly decreased serum levels of anti-dsDNA, anti-histone, and circulating immune complex antibodies. CTX and CR prevented the increase in and activation of B cells, the decline in CD8(+) T cells, and maintained a higher proportion of naïve CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells. MHC class I antigen and LFA-1 expression on CD8(+) T cells and MHC class II antigen on B cells were also decreased. AL/CTX and CR prevented the increase in production of IL-10 and up-regulated IL-2 production in T cells ex vivo. We concluded that both CR and CTX can delay the onset of autoimmune disease, in part by maintaining higher numbers of naïve T cells and the immune responsiveness of T cells and decreasing the proportion of B cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Age associated alterations in costimulatory and adhesion molecule expression in lupus-prone mice are attenuated by food restriction with n-6 and n-3 fatty acids.

Costimulatory and adhesion molecules are known to play a major role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Since fish oil and calorie restriction have been reported to attenuate the development of disease in lupus prone (NZBxNZW)F1 mice, the objective of this study was to assess the expression of these key inflammatory molecules in these mice fed diets differing in n-6 and n-3 fatty acid content and fed either food restricted or ad libitum. Age-associated increases in the expression of CD28, ICAM-1, and PGP-1 molecules that are involved in the recruitment of inflamed lymphocytes into the kidney were attenuated in mice restricted in food intake. The increase in costimulatory (CD80 and CD86) and adhesion (ICAM-1, PGP-1, LFA-1, and Mac-1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was also attenuated by food restriction and to a lesser extent by fish oil alone. Interestingly, amelioration of lupus (laminin expression and proteinuria) correlated with the above beneficial effects and could be seen even in 24-month-old mice. In summary, food restriction and fish oil delay the onset of lupus disease and increase life span in B/W mice by prolonging the maintenance of a youthful immune phenotype.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Lovastatin inhibits bone marrow-derived dendritic cell maturation and upregulates proinflammatory cytokine production.

Statins are a group of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors which are most effective as lipid lowering agents, and are currently extensively used clinically. Recently, it was also shown that statins affect the immune response. We investigated the effects of lovastatin on the maturation and functional changes of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DC). Lovastatin inhibited MHC class II and CD40 expression on DC in a dose-dependent manner, but had lesser effects on CD16, CD80, CD86, and CD11b expression. Nuclear extracts of lovastatin treated DC had decreased NF-kappaB DNA binding activity. Although antigen capture capacity of DC was not affected by lovastatin, the T-cell stimulatory activity of DC was inhibited. Lovastatin up-regulated DC pro-inflammatory cytokine production induced by LPS as measured by intracellular cytokine staining, ELISA and cDNA microarrays. Mevalonate, added in vitro, prevented these effects. These results indicate that lovastatin may inhibit BM-DC maturation and up-regulate cytokine production through a mevalonate dependent pathway, and may cause adverse effects on either innate or adaptive immunity.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Protective role of n-3 lipids and soy protein in osteoporosis.

It is well established that bone loss due to estrogen deficiency after menopause is greater in women consuming higher quantities of animal protein than in women consuming vegetable protein, particularly soy protein. Besides the dietary protein source altering bone loss, it has also been postulated recently that the source of a higher n-6/n-3 ratio in dietary oils is implicated in causing osteoporosis. Both animal and human studies have indicated that an increased intake of n-6 fatty acids from vegetable oils elevates prostaglandin E(2) levels as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Interestingly, it has been found that lack of estrogen also increases the production of these cytokines by immune cells and thereby activates osteoclasts during the peri-menopausal period. We speculated that the use of n-3 fatty acids and soy protein, which are known to act as anti-inflammatory and down regulate pro-inflammatory cytokines, may also protect against bone loss by decreasing osteoclast activation and bone resorption. Similar to the results of others, our ongoing studies indeed show that the bone loss in ovariectomized mice is significantly attenuated by feeding diets enriched with either fish oil or soy protein when compared to corn oil and casein-fed mice. One of the mechanisms appears to be decreasing the activation of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) on T cells, which has been found to increase osteoclast activation along with increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines in OVX mice. Since hormone replacement therapy has been found to cause adverse effects, further both animal and human studies are required with moderate soy protein and fish oil supplements in understanding the mechanisms involved in altering immune function and bone loss during menopause in women and aging in men.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Food restriction and fish oil suppress atherogenic risk factors in lupus-prone (NZB x NZW) F1 mice.

Atherosclerosis-mediated coronary artery disease is a significant cause of mortality in lupus patients. Both an activated immune system and hyperlipidemia are implicated in the pathogenesis of the atherosclerotic lesions of lupus. In this study, the increases in anticardiolipin antibodies, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol with age were significantly lowered by fish oil and food restriction, either alone or in combination. Food restriction also significantly decreased the elevation in anti-dsDNA antibody production seen with age in ad libitum groups. Interestingly, effects of food restriction and fish oil on both lipid profile and autoantibody production were seen from a young age. Accumulation of leukocytes in the blood vessels and deposition of IgG in the glomerular mesangium also were suppressed by food restriction. Thus, beneficial effects of fish oil and food restriction on lupus nephritis and survival could be, at least in part, due to their selective effect on atherogenic risk factors.

Animals↗