DIETARY FISH-OIL SUPPLEMENTATION ALTERS LEUKOCYTE FUNCTION AND CYTOKINE PRODUCTION IN HEALTHY WOMEN

The effect of low-dose fish oil supplementation on cytokines and white cell function in women was investigated. Thirty-three healthy, nonsmo king women entered the double-blind study. For 4 weeks, 2.4 g of eithe r fish oil (n=16) or fish oil with vitamin E (n=17) was added daily to the subjects' otherwise unchanged diets. Venous blood samples were ta ken at the onset of the trial, after the supplementation period, and a gain after a 9-week washout period. Plasma levels of platelet-derived growth factor and myeloperoxidase were measured using immunoassays. Th e intracellular peroxidase content of white blood cells was measured u sing a staining technique. Platelet-derived growth factor levels were significantly lowered after supplementation (P less than or equal to.0 5). Intracellular peroxidase was increased (P less than or equal to.01 ), and extracellular myeloperoxidase levels were lowered (P less than or equal to.05). Taken together, these results suggest that the anti-i nflammatory effect of fish oil may be due at least partly to alteratio ns in white cell function and growth factor levels.