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Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide production is decreased by an omega-3 fatty acid lipid emulsion

Aldridge C, Razzak A, Babcock TA, Helton WS, Espat NJ

The Journal of surgical research, 2008

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FA) have been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory properties, postulated to occur through several principal mechanisms, including (1) displacement of arachidonic acid from the cellular membrane; (2) shifting of prostaglandin E(2) and leukotriene B(4) production; and (3) molecular level alterations including decreased activation of nuclear factor kappa B and activator protein-1. An additional regulator that is likely associated is the production of nitric oxide (NO) by nitric oxide synthetase. NO is a short-lived free radical involved in many biological functions. However, excessive NO production can lead to complications, suggesting that decreased NO production is a potential target for some inflammatory diseases. We hypothesized that pretreating with an omega-3 FA lipid emulsion would decrease the production of NO in macrophages and that this effect would occur through alterations in inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Greiss reagent was used to assess NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages following omega-3 or omega-6 FA treatment alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation for 12 h/24 h. iNOS levels were determined by Western blot. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: Following LPS-stimulation, omega-3 FA pretreatment at 12 and 24 h produced significantly less NO (P < 0.05) compared to omega-6 FA or media-only…

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