Role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the production of prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide during experimental murine paracoccidioidomycosis

Abstract

There has recently been increased interest in the potential health effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the immune system. Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most important endemic mycosis in Latin America. Macrophages have a fundamental role and act as first line of organism defense. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of n-3 fatty acids on the production of PGE2 and NO by mice infected with Pb18 and fed a diet enriched with LNA for 8 weeks. To study the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on macrophage activity during experimental paracoccidioidomycosis, mice were infected with Pb18 and fed a diet supplemented with LNA. PGE2 in the serum of animals was analyzed and NO in the supernatants of macrophages cultured and challenged in vitro with Pb18 was measured. Omega-3 fatty acids seemed to decrease the production of PGE2 in vivo in the infected group fed an LNA-supplemented diet during the 4th and 8th weeks of the experiment. At the same time, we observed an increase in synthesis of NO by peritoneal macrophages in this group. Omega-3 fatty acids thus appear to have an immunomodulatory effect in paracoccidioidomycosis.

Figure 1

Production of PGE₂ in serum of animals of all groups during the experiment. Statistically significant differences P < 0.05: *CGU versus CGI;  ^#PGU versus PGI; ^●CGU versus PGU; **CGI versus PGI.

Figure 2

NO generated in culture supernatants of peritoneal macrophages and challenged in vitro with Pb18 of animals of all groups during the experiment. Statistically significant differences P < 0.05: *CGU versus CGI; ^●CGU versus PGU; **CGI versus PGI.

Figure 3

Colony-forming units from culture supernatants of peritoneal macrophages of animals of all groups during the experiment. Statistically significant differences P < 0.05: **CGI versus PGI.