Journal
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE BIOLOGY
Volume 206, Issue 2, Pages 103-116Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00232-005-0783-2
Keywords
omega-3 fatty acids; n-3 fatty acids; adhesion molecules; endothelium; endothelial activation; leukocyte adhesion; monocytes; atherosclerosis; cytokines; cyclooxygenase-2; matrix metalloproteinases; plaque rupture
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By partially replacing the corresponding omega-6 analogues in membrane phospholipids, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease the transcriptional activation of genes - e.g., adhesion molecules, chemoattractants, inflammatory cytokines - involved in endothelial activation in response to inflammatory and pro-atherogenic stimuli. This regulation occurs, at least in part, through a decreased activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B system of transcription factors, secondary to decreased generation of intracellular hydrogen peroxide. Such regulation by omega-3 fatty acids is likely linked to the presence of a higher number of double bonds in the fatty acid chain in omega-3 compared with omega-6 fatty acids. By similar mechanisms, omega-3 fatty acids have been recently shown to reduce gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2, an inflammatory gene involved, through the activation of some metalloproteinases, in plaque angiogenesis and plaque rupture. The quenching of gene expression of pro-inflammatory pro-atherogenic genes by omega-3 fatty acids has consequences on the extent of leukocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium, early atherogenesis and later stages of plaque development and plaque rupture, ultimately yielding a plausible comprehensive explanation for the vasculoprotective effects of these nutrients.
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