Diet modulates Th-1 and Th-2 cytokine production in the peripheral blood of lupus-prone mice

Calorie restriction or fish oil extends life span. To investigate the poten tial mechanism(s) involved, young (4-month) and old (9-month) NZB X NZW(F-1 ) mice were fed 5% (w/w) corn oil (CA) or fish oil (FA) ad libitum or 40% r estricted (CR and FR, respectively). Peripheral blood T-lymphocytes were an alyzed for Th-1 (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and Th-2 (IL-5, IL-10) production. CR and FA partially blunted while FR completely abolished the decline in aged CD4 (+) T lymphocytes. In contrast, both CR and FR abolished the decline in CD8 (+) T lymphocytes with age, while FA had no effect. In aged mice, both CR a nd FR blunted the increase in Th-1 (IL-2, IFN-gamma) cytokine production, w hile FA was only partially effective. Only FR completely blunted the age-re lated increase in Th-2 (IL-5, IL-10) cytokine production. These data sugges t that FR delays the onset of autoimmune kidney disease by suppressing both Th-1 and Th-2 cytokine production.