FATTY-ACIDS FROM THE IMMUNOLOGICAL POINT- OF-VIEW

An adequate supply with nutrients is an important precondition for mai ntenance of immunity. This correlation becomes evident, among others, in the cases of consuming diseases like cancer and AIDS. The immune-co mpromised state of these patients is often associated with a progressi ve loss of weight. Hence it is the aim of a dietetic treatment to act against the malnutrition itself as well as to ameliorate immune functi ons. One important aspect of these considerations is the influence of fat intake or rather different fatty rids. In the first part of this a rticle the effect of fatty acids on DNA-synthesis and cytokine product ion of human peripheral lumphocytes in cell culture is presented. In t he second part results from clinical studies about the immune modulato ry properties of fats are being discussed and a practical reference is made to the enteral and parenteral nutrition. The present data appear to suggest, that a high fat intake is correlated with a suppression o f the immune function. Moreover the immune modulation Effect is determ ined above all by the fatty acid pattern of the diet.