Bodur Mahmut, Yilmaz Birsen, Ağagündüz Duygu, Ozogul Yeşim
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad, India.
Mol Nutr Food Res. 2025 May;69(10):e202400752. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.202400752. Epub 2025 Mar 30.
Omega-3 fatty acids play a significant role in immunomodulation, with nutrigenomic approaches highlighting their impact on gene expression related to immune responses. Research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids can modulate inflammatory pathways, potentially reducing chronic inflammation and enhancing immune function. This review discusses the intersection of nutrigenomics and nutriepigenomics, focusing on how omega-3 fatty acids influence gene expression, immune function, and overall health. The immune system is a complex network responsible for defending the body against pathogens and maintaining internal balance. Comprised of innate and adaptive immunity, the system involves various cells, tissues, and organs working together to combat infections and prevent diseases. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play a significant role in modulating the immune system. These fatty acids influence immune cell function, membrane fluidity, and signaling processes, enhancing immune responses and reducing inflammation. Furthermore, EPA and DHA affect several signaling pathways, reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation, a critical transcription factor in the inflammatory response. Additionally, they activate PPAR-γ, further diminishing inflammatory gene expression. As precursors to specialized proresolving lipid mediators, EPA and DHA help shift the lipid mediator profile from proinflammatory to antiinflammatory derivatives, thus aiding in the resolution of inflammation.
ω-3脂肪酸在免疫调节中发挥着重要作用，营养基因组学方法凸显了它们对与免疫反应相关基因表达的影响。研究表明，ω-3脂肪酸可以调节炎症途径，可能减轻慢性炎症并增强免疫功能。本综述讨论了营养基因组学和营养表观基因组学的交叉点，重点关注ω-3脂肪酸如何影响基因表达、免疫功能和整体健康。免疫系统是一个复杂的网络，负责保护身体抵御病原体并维持体内平衡。该系统由固有免疫和适应性免疫组成，涉及各种细胞、组织和器官协同工作以对抗感染和预防疾病。ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA），特别是二十碳五烯酸（EPA）和二十二碳六烯酸（DHA），在调节免疫系统中发挥着重要作用。这些脂肪酸影响免疫细胞功能、膜流动性和信号传导过程，增强免疫反应并减轻炎症。此外，EPA和DHA影响多种信号通路，降低促炎细胞因子的表达并抑制活化B细胞核因子κB（NF-κB）的激活，NF-κB是炎症反应中的关键转录因子。此外，它们激活过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（PPAR-γ），进一步减少炎症基因的表达。作为特殊促消退脂质介质的前体，EPA和DHA有助于将脂质介质谱从促炎衍生物转变为抗炎衍生物，从而有助于炎症的消退。
