Omega-3 fatty acids in contrast to omega-6 protect against pneumococcal pneumonia. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hinojosa, Cecilia A.; Gonzalez-Juarbe, Norberto; Rahman, Md M.; Fernandes, Gabriel; Orihuela, Carlos J.; Restrepo, Marcos I.
• Is Part Of: Microbial pathogenesis. Volume 141(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Pneumonia -- Streptococcus pneumoniae -- Fatty acids -- Omega-3 -- Omega-6 -- Inflammation; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- parasitology -- Periodicals; Micro-organismes pathogènes -- Périodiques; Pathologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.103979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0882-4010

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess if long-term supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids or a diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids ameliorates disease severity in a murine model of pneumococcal pneumonia. We hypothesize that long-term dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids will reduce inflammation, disease severity and improve survival compared to omega-6 fatty acids. Methods: Mice receiving diets supplemented with Omega-3 or Omega-6 for two months were intranasally infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae . We analyzed survival, bacterial burden, histopathology and inflammatory biomarkers. Results: Our results showed that Omega-3 supplementation had increased survival (p = 0.005), less bacteremia (p = 0.0001) and lower bacterial burden in the lungs (p = 0.0002) when compared to the Omega-6 supplementation. Overall, Omega-3 reduced lung pathology, in particular peribronchial inflammation and cell death. Analyses of lung homogenates showed the Omega-3 cohort had decreased levels of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. Conclusions: Supplementation of mouse diets with Omega-3 fatty acids improved survival, bacterial invasion in the blood and lungs as well as decreased overall lung tissue inflammation and cell death when compared to the Omega-6 supplemented diets. Translation of these findings in humans may improve outcomes of patients at risk for pneumonia. Highlights: Inflammation during pneumococcal pneumonia enhances complications. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation in different health conditions. Omega-3 supplementation decreases inflammation during pneumococcal pneumonia. Omega-3 supplementation has an overall beneficial effect compared to Omega-6.