Fish Oil Derived Omega 3 Fatty Acids Suppress Adipose NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling in Human Obesity

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Context The NRLP3 inflammasome is a multiprotein danger-sensing complex that serves as a critical link between obesity-related adipose inflammation and insulin resistance and has been shown in animal models to be inhibited by fish oil-derived long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( n -3 PUFA). Objective We conducted a clinical trial and in vitro experiments to test our hypothesis that n -3 PUFA suppress NLRP3 inflammasome in human obesity through downregulation of inflammasome gene expression in adipocytes and macrophages. Design Placebo-controlled clinical trial and in vitro coculture experiments with primary human adipocytes (from biopsy specimens) and human THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages treated with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) vs vehicle control. Setting General community, research laboratory. Patients and other participants Obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ), nondiabetic males and females age 18 to 50. N = 25. Interventions Clinical trial: Eight-week treatment with 4 g Lovaza (EPA and DHA) or placebo. Cells culture: EPA and/or DHA at 100 µg/mL or vehicle control in culture medium. Main outcome measures Adipose tissue or adipocyte/macrophage mRNA expression of IL-1 β and IL-18 and circulating IL-18 levels. Results Treatment of obese human subjects with fish oil supplements reduced expression of adipose inflammatory genes incl

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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