Supplementation with EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids improves peripheral immune cell mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation in subjects with obesity
Abstract
Omega-3 fatty acids (w-3 FA) have anti-inflammatory effects and improve mitochondrial function. Nonetheless, little is known about their effect on mitochondrial bioenergetics of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in individuals with obesity. Thus, this study aimed to determine the mitochondrial bioenergetics status and cell subset composition of PBMCs during obesity, before and after one-month supplementation with w-3 FA. We performed a case-control study with twelve women with normal BMI (lean group) and 19 with grade 2 obesity (obese group), followed by a before-after prospective study where twelve subjects with obesity received a one-month intervention with 5.25g of w-3 FA (3.5g eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and 1.75g docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids), and obtained PBMCs from all participants. Mitochondrial bioenergetic markers, including basal and ATP-production associated respiration, proton leak, and non-mitochondrial respiration, were higher in PBMCs from the obese group vs. the lean group. The bioenergetic health index (BHI), a marker of mitochondrial function, was lower in the obese vs. the lean group. In addition, Th1, Th2, Th17, CD4+ Tregs, CD8+ Tregs, and Bregs, M1 monocytes and pDCreg cells were higher in PBMCs from the obese group vs. the lean group. The w-3 FA intervention improved mitochondrial function, mainly by decreasing non-mitochondrial respiration and increasing the reserve respiratory capacity and BHI. The intervention also reduced circulating…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case-control, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
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