Modulation of inflammation in a cell culture system by palm olein interesterified with an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid
2007
Z. Zainal | Harwood, J. L.
Arthritis is an important joint disease. A hallmark of osteoarthritis is a persistent inflammation of the synovium of joints, leading to destruction of the surrounding bone and cartilage and, ultimately, joint deformities. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as found in fish oils) have been used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions including arthritis. In an effort to improve the health benefits of palm olein on inflammatory diseases, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 acid) was incorporatedinto palm oil. The transesterification reaction was performed for 24 h at 55°C catalyzed by Lipozyme IM 60 in the presence of an organic solvent, hexane. Modified palm olein contained about 25% EPA. Using an in vitro model of cartilage degradation, the effect of modified palm olein on the metabolism of articular cartilage chondrocytes wasexamined. The chondrocyte cultures were supplemented with modified palm olein and inflammation was induced with interleukin (IL-1) to mimic arthritis. RT-PCR was used to examine mRNA levels for genes encoding cartilage components, enzymes involved in cartilage degradation and inflammatory cytokines. Results showed that the modified palm olein significantly reduced the expression of mRNA for mediators of inflammation, COX-2, TNF-a, IL-la and IL-B and ADAMTS-4. Compared with pure EPA the modified palm olein was less efficient but, given its lower EPA content, was still effective. It was concluded that modification of palm olein with EPA produced a prospective new nutraceutical with promise for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as osteoarthritis.
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