Fish oil fatty acids and experimental arthritis.

Maintenance of mice on dietary regimens containing fish oil decreases severity of collagen-induced arthritis. Macrophages from fish oil fed animals had decreased omega-6 and significant amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in membrane phospholipids and produced significantly less prostaglandins than macrophages from corn oil fed animals. Gender differences in both prostaglandin production and susceptibility to arthritis were noted.