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Review
. 2017 Mar-Apr;135(2):157-168.
doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2016.008607072016. Epub 2017 Jan 5.

The role of dietary fatty acid intake in inflammatory gene expression: a critical review

Daniela Mayumi Rocha  1 , Josefina Bressan  2 , Helen Hermana Hermsdorff  3
Affiliations
Review

The role of dietary fatty acid intake in inflammatory gene expression: a critical review

Daniela Mayumi Rocha et al. Sao Paulo Med J. 2017 Mar-Apr.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Context and objective:: Diet is an important modifiable factor involved in obesity-induced inflammation. We reviewed clinical trials that assessed the effect of consumption of different fatty acids on the expression of inflammation-related genes, such as cytokines, adipokines, chemokines and transcription factors.

Design and setting:: Narrative review study conducted at a research center.

Methods:: This was a review on the effect of fat intake on inflammatory gene expression in humans.

Results:: Consumption of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) was related to postprandial upregulation of genes associated with pro-inflammatory pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), in comparison with monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) or polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake. In addition, acute intake of a high-SFA meal also induced a postprandial pro-inflammatory response for several inflammatory genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Both high-MUFA and high-PUFA diets showed anti-inflammatory profiles, or at least a less pronounced pro-inflammatory response than did SFA consumption. However, the results concerning the best substitute for SFAs were divergent because of the large variability in doses of MUFA (20% to 72% of energy intake) and n3 PUFA (0.4 g to 23.7% of energy intake) used in interventions.

Conclusions:: The lipid profile of the diet can modulate the genes relating to postprandial and long-term inflammation in PBMCs and adipose tissue. Identifying the optimal fat profile for inflammatory control may be a promising approach for treating chronic diseases such as obesity.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO:: A dieta é um importante fator modificável envolvido na inflamação induzida pela obesidade. Nós revisamos ensaios clínicos que avaliaram o efeito do consumo de diferentes ácidos graxos sobre a expressão de genes relacionados com a inflamação, tais como citocinas, adipocitocinas, quimiocinas e fatores de transcrição.

TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL:: Estudo de revisão narrativa realizado em um centro de pesquisa.

MÉTODOS:: Revisão do efeito da ingestão de gordura sobre a expressão de genes envolvidos com inflamação em seres humanos.

RESULTADOS:: O consumo do ácido graxo saturado (AGS) foi relacionado com a regulação favorável pós-prandial de genes associados com vias pró-inflamatórias nas células mononucleares de sangue periférico (CMSP), em comparação com a ingestão do ácido graxo monoinsaturado (AGMI) ou do ácido graxo poli-insaturado (AGPI). Além disso, o consumo agudo de uma dieta com alto conteúdo de AGS também induziu uma resposta pró-inflamatória pós-prandial para vários genes da inflamação no tecido adiposo subcutâneo. Ambas as dietas com alto conteúdo de AGMI e AGPI apresentaram perfil anti-inflamatório ou, pelo menos, menor resposta pró-inflamatória em relação ao consumo de AGS. Contudo, os resultados são controversos acerca do melhor substituto para o AGS, devido à grande variabilidade na dose de AGMI (20% a 72% da ingestão energética) e AGPI n3 (0,4 g para 23,7% da ingestão energética) utilizados nos estudos de intervenção.

CONCLUSÕES:: O perfil lipídico da dieta pode modular os genes relacionados com inflamação pós-prandial e a longo prazo em CMSP e no tecido adiposo. Identificar o perfil lipídico ideal no controle inflamatório pode ser uma abordagem promissora para o tratamento de doenças crônicas como a obesidade.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None

Figures

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Figure 1:. Literature search process.
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