The effects of fatty acids on inflammation and lipid metabolism generated by the interaction of adipocytes and macrophages.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K11712
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Kobe Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: FUJIOKA YOSHIO 神戸学院大学, 栄養学部, 教授 (70299098)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 眞本 利絵 神戸学院大学, 栄養学部, 実験助手 (60189892)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 脂肪酸 / 炎症 / マクロファージ / 脂肪細胞 / ヘムオキシゲナーゼ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Atherosclerosis is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. In metabolic syndrome, a large number of macrophages infiltrate adipose tissue and cause inflammation, but heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in adipocytes, which suppresses chronic inflammation, acts as a powerful antioxidant to protect the body. We investigated the effects of various fatty acids on HO-1 expression. In adipocyte-macrophage coculture, HO-1 protein expression was significantly increased by approximately 250% (p<0.05) at 100 μmol/L of DHA. All other saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans fatty acids were unchanged, inhibited, or significantly suppressed on HO-1 expression. TNF-α secretion also had a similar trend in HO-1 expression in cocultured adipocytes.

Free Research Field

脂質代謝、動脈硬化、循環器疾患

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

大規模臨床試験におけるDHAの動脈硬化性疾患発症予防は明らかでない、あるいはエイコサペンタエン酸(EPA)単独と比べて否定的である。しかし今回の研究で脂肪細胞・マクロファージ共培養においてDHAが炎症や酸化ストレスを抑制する効果があることが示唆されたことは、メタボリックシンドローム患者においてはDHA摂取による好ましい効果が期待でき、将来のテーラーメイド治療に貢献できると考えられた。