n-3 fatty acids specifically modulate catabolic factors involved in articular cartilage degradation

This study describes specific molecular mechanisms by which supplementation , with n-3 fatty acids (i.e. those present in fish oils) can modulate the e xpression and activity of degradative and inflammatory factors that cause c artilage destruction during arthritis. Our data show that incorporation of n-3 fatty acids (but not other polyunsaturated or saturated fatty acids) in to articular cartilage chondrocyte membranes results in a dose-dependent re duction in: (i) the expression and activity of proteoglycan degrading enzym es (aggrecanases) and (ii) the expression of inflammation-inducible cytokin es (interleukin (IL)-1 alpha and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) and cyc looxygenase (COX-2), but not the constitutively expressed cyclooxygenase CO X-1. These findings provide evidence that n-3 fatty acid supplementation ca n specifically affect regulatory mechanisms involved in chondrocyte gene tr anscription and thus further advocate a beneficial role for dietary fish oi l supplementation in alleviation of several of the physiological parameters that cause and propogate arthritic disease.