Immunomodulation carried out by dietary fatty acids in experimental animals and humans

Abstract

Several studies have reported that fatty acids act as modulatory agents of immune response of experimental animals and humans. In this paper, we do and overview of the performed studies by using of unsaturated fatty acids and their influence on several immunitary parameters in studies carried out in vitro as well as ex vivo. It has been shown that unsaturated fatty acids are involved in the reduction of lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production and natural killer cell activity. On the other hand, in this article we have reviewed the mechanisms by which fatty acids modulate the immune response: I) membrane fluidity alteration; II) production of lipid peroxides; III) eicosanoid production; IV) gene expression modulation.