CYTOKINE SECRETION AND EICOSANOID PRODUCTION IN THE PERIPHERAL-BLOOD MONONUCLEAR-CELLS OF MS PATIENTS UNDERGOING DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION WITH N-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS

To demonstrate the influence of n-3 PUFA supplementation on cytokine a nd eicosanoid production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of MS patients (MSP), we investigated the impact of a 6-month dietary supplementation with these fatty acids on the levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-2, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosi s factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the supernatants of stimulated PBMCs and serum soluble IL-2 receptors in a group of 20 relapsing-remitting (R- R) MSP and a group of 15 age-matched control individuals (CI). The pro duction of PGE2 and LTB4 in the stimulated PBMCs was also assessed in patient and control groups supplemented with n-3 PUFAs. In both groups , n-3 PUFA supplementation led to a significant decrease in the levels of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, and this reduction was more pronounced in the 3rd and 6th month of supplementation. An analogous decrease was o bserved in the levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma produced by stimulated PBM Cs, and in the levels of serum soluble IL-2 receptors. n-3 PUFA supple mentation also appeared to significantly affect prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production in PBMCs, both in MSP and the c ontrol group. The reduced production of these proinflammatory eicosano ids, and the decrease of some cytokines with an immunohenancing effect as a consequence of n-3 PUFA supplementation, could modulate some imm une functions which have been demonstrated to be altered in MSP.