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ABSTRACT: Background
N-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been hypothesized to have opposing influences on neonatal immune responses that might influence the risk of allergy or asthma. However, both n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and n-6 arachidonic acid (AA) are required for normal fetal development.Objective
We evaluated whether cord blood fatty acid levels were related to neonatal immune responses and whether n-3 and n-6 PUFA responses differed.Methods
We examined the relation of cord blood plasma n-3 and n-6 PUFAs (n = 192) to antigen- and mitogen-stimulated cord blood lymphocyte proliferation (n = 191) and cytokine (IL-13 and IFN-gamma; n = 167) secretion in a US birth cohort.Results
Higher levels of n-6 linoleic acid were correlated with higher IL-13 levels in response to Bla g 2 (cockroach, P = .009) and Der f 1 (dust mite, P = .02). Higher n-3 EPA and n-6 AA levels were each correlated with reduced lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-gamma levels in response to Bla g 2 and Der f 1 stimulation. Controlling for potential confounders, EPA and AA had similar independent effects on reduced allergen-stimulated IFN-gamma levels. If neonates had either EPA or AA levels in the highest quartile, their Der f 1 IFN-gamma levels were 90% lower (P = .0001) than those with both EPA and AA levels in the lowest 3 quartiles. Reduced AA/EPA ratio was associated with reduced allergen-stimulated IFN-gamma level.Conclusion
Increased levels of fetal n-3 EPA and n-6 AA might have similar effects on attenuation of cord blood lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-gamma secretion.Clinical implications
The implications of these findings for allergy or asthma development are not yet known.
SUBMITTER: Gold DR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC1508138 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Gold Diane R DR Willwerth Ben M BM Tantisira Kelan G KG Finn Patricia W PW Schaub Bianca B Perkins David L DL Tzianabos Arthur A Ly Ngoc P NP Schroeter Christian C Gibbons Fiona F Campos Hannia H Oken Emily E Gillman Matthew W MW Palmer Lyle J LJ Ryan Louise M LM Weiss Scott T ST
The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 20060214 4
<h4>Background</h4>N-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been hypothesized to have opposing influences on neonatal immune responses that might influence the risk of allergy or asthma. However, both n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and n-6 arachidonic acid (AA) are required for normal fetal development.<h4>Objective</h4>We evaluated whether cord blood fatty acid levels were related to neonatal immune responses and whether n-3 and n-6 PUFA responses differed.<h4>Methods</h4>We examin ...[more]