Fish Oil and Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis: Inhibitory Effect on Leukocyte Recruitment

Enhancing tofacitinib's therapeutic efficacy in murine arthritis with a synbiotic formulation comprising Bacillus megaterium DSM 32963 and an Omega-3 fatty acid lysine salt

Introduction

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFA) are known for their anti-inflammatory benefits, particularly in chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To resolve an acute inflammation, conversion of n3-PUFA into specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) is crucial. Recently, it was shown that the probiotic Bacillus megaterium DSM32963 supports this conversion.

Methods

This study evaluates a synbiotic formulation combining Bacillus megaterium DSM32963 and a unique n3-PUFA-lysine salt as adjunct nutritional supplement to tofacitinib in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats.

Results

Our findings reveal that a combination of low-dose tofacitinib and the synbiotic (ldTofa+Syn) significantly improved all measured arthritis severity parameters, outperforming either single treatment as well as supplementation with a conventional omega-3 ethyl ester that showed no effects on disease severity. The ldTofa+Syn combination also led to a notable reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) and markers of NETosis in joint tissue, with a significant decrease in neutrophil chemokine CXCL1 observed only in synbiotic-containing groups. Additionally, there was a marked trend towards lower levels of the key inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the ldTofa+Syn group.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the specific synbiotic formulation shows promise as a complementary nutritional therapy for RA, improving disease outcomes and modulating immune responses.

Development and characterization of trans-anethole-containing solid lipid microparticles: antiinflammatory and gastroprotective effects in experimental inflammation

The present study prepared, optimized, and characterized solid lipid microparticles that contained trans-anethole (SLMAN), evaluated their antiinflammatory activity in acute and chronic inflammation models, and investigated their effects on the gastric mucosa in arthritic rats. The microparticles were obtained by a hot homogenization process and characterized by physicochemical analyses. The acute inflammatory response was induced by an intradermal injection of 0.1 ml of carrageenan solution (200 μg) in the hind paw. The rats were treated orally with a single dose of SLMAN 1 h before induction of the inflammatory response. The chronic inflammatory response was induced by the subcutaneous application of 0.1 ml of complete Freund's adjuvant suspension (500 µg) in the hind paw. SLMAN was orally administered, starting on the day of arthritis induction, and continued for 21 days. The results showed that SLMAN was obtained with good encapsulation efficiency. Treatment with SLMAN at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg was as effective as trans-anethole (AN) at a dose of 250 mg/kg on acute and chronic inflammatory responses. Histological analyses showed that treatment with SLMAN did not aggravate lesions in the gastric mucosa in arthritic rats. These results indicated that treatment with SLMAN at a dose that was 5-10 times lower than non-encapsulated AN exerted an inhibitory effect on acute and chronic inflammatory responses, suggesting the better bioavailability and efficacy of microencapsulated AN without aggravating lesions in the gastric mucosa in arthritic rats.

Metformin and omega-3 fish oil elicit anti-inflammatory effects via modulation of some dysregulated micro RNAs expression and signaling pathways in experimental induced arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive inflammatory disease with multiple dysfunctional intracellular signaling pathways that necessitate new approaches for its management. Hence, the study aimed to inspect the ability of the combination therapy of metformin and omega-3 to modulate different signaling pathways and micro RNAs such as (miR-155, miR-146a and miR-34) as new targets in order to mitigate adjuvant-induced arthritis and compare their effect to that of methotrexate.

METHODS

Fourteen days post adjuvant injection, Sprague-Dawley rats were treated orally with metformin (200 mg/kg/day) and/or omega-3 (300 mg/kg/day) or intraperitoneally with methotrexate (2 mg/kg/week) for 4 weeks.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

All drug treatments amended the arthrogram score and hind paw swelling as well as decreased serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β levels. On the molecular level, all therapies activated phospho-5'adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), while they inhibited phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), phospho-signal transducers and activators of transcription (p-STAT3), nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 subunit, phosho38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and phospho- c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK). In addition, they decreased the elevated expression level of miRNA-155, 146a and increased the expression level of miRNA-34 and they decreased the expression level of retinoic acid receptor related orphan receptor γT (RORγT) and increased that of fork head box P3 (FOXP3), correcting Th17/Treg cells balance. On most of the aforementioned parameters, the effect of the combination therapy was comparable to that of methotrexate, emphasizing that this combination possesses better additive anti-inflammatory effect than either drug when used alone. In addition, the combination was capable of normalizing the serum transaminases levels as compared to untreated group offering hepatoprotective effect and suggesting the possibility of its use as a replacement therapeutic strategy for MTX in rheumatoid arthritis.

Fish oil preparation inhibits leukocyte recruitment and bands that characterize inflamed tissue in a model of phenol-induced skin inflammation: percutaneous penetration of a topically applied preparation demonstrated by photoacoustic spectroscopy

Fish oil (FO) is a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, with well-established beneficial effects in inflammatory diseases when FO is orally administered. This study investigated the effects of a topically applied FO preparation (FOP) on phenol-induced ear edema and evaluated the percutaneous penetration of FOP in ear tissue. After applying phenol, groups of mice received FOP on the ear. After 1 h, ear tissue was collected to determine the percent inhibition of edema, myeloperoxidase activity, and to perform photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS). Treatment with FOP did not reduce edema, but reduced myeloperoxidase activity. The FOP decreased the area of bands that characterize inflamed tissue and penetrated into the tissue. These results indicated an inhibitory effect of FOP on leukocyte recruitment in phenol-induced ear edema. These data support the applicability of PAS as a non-destructive method for evaluating the inflammatory response, percutaneous penetration and antiinflammatory activity of compounds.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Actions of Methyl Jasmonate Are Associated with Metabolic Modifications in the Liver of Arthritic Rats

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a fatty acid-derived cyclopentanone which shares structural similarities with prostaglandins and has been under study as a promising anti-inflammatory agent. This study investigated the actions of MeJA on systemic inflammation and oxidative status in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis, a model for rheumatoid arthritis. MeJA (75 to 300 mg·kg⁻¹) was administrated orally during 18 days after arthritis induction with Freund's adjuvant. Articular and systemic inflammation was greatly increased in arthritic rats, likewise the oxidative stress in plasma and liver. The hepatic glucokinase activity and glycolysis were increased in arthritic rats. MeJA decreased most inflammatory parameters and abolished the increased protein carbonylation in plasma and liver, diminished the increased hepatic ROS content, and restored the hepatic GSH/GSSG ratio in arthritic rats. However, the MeJA treatment decreased the hepatic glucokinase activity and glycolysis and stimulated mitochondrial ROS production in healthy and arthritic rats. Oxygen uptake was increased by MeJA only in livers from treated arthritic rats. This action may bear relation to the increased activity of mitochondrial NADP⁺-dependent enzymes to provide reducing equivalents for the glutathione cycle. These beneficial effects, however, are associated with a decreased glucose flux through the glycolysis in the liver of arthritic and healthy rats.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids: any role in rheumatoid arthritis?

Background

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are members of the family of fatty acids and are included in the diet. Particularly, western diet is usually low in n-3 PUFAs and high in n-6 PUFAs. PUFAs play a central role in the homeostasis of immune system: n-6 PUFAs have predominantly pro-inflammatory features, while n-3 PUFAs seem to exert anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving properties. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis in which many inflammatory pathways contribute to joint and systemic inflammation, disease activity, and structural damage. Research on PUFAs could represent an important opportunity to better understand the pathogenesis and to improve the management of RA patients.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, EBSCO-Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CNKI and Wanfang to identify primary research reporting the role of n-3 PUFAs in rheumatoid arthritis both in humans and in animal models up to the end of March 2017.

Results

Data from animal models allows to hypothesize that n-3 PUFAs supplementation may represent an interesting perspective in future research as much in prevention as in treating RA. In humans, several case-control and prospective cohort studies suggest that a high content of n-3 PUFAs in the diet could have a protective role for incident RA in subjects at risk. Moreover, n-3 PUFAs supplementation has been assessed as a valuable therapeutic option also for patients with RA, particularly in order to improve the pain symptoms, the tender joint count, the duration of morning stiffness and the frequency of NSAIDs assumption.

Conclusions

n-3 PUFAs supplementation could represent a promising therapeutic option to better control many features of RA. The impact of n-3 PUFAs on radiographic progression and synovial histopathology has not been yet evaluated, as well as their role in early arthritis and the combination with biologics.

A reduced cost strategy for enriching chicken meat with omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids using dietary flaxseed oil

1. This study aimed to determine the minimal duration required for feeding male broilers (Cobb 500) with a flaxseed oil diet while still retaining long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LCPUFA) accumulation in the meat at a desirable level. 2. Three groups of broilers (60 each) were fed on a 3% flaxseed oil (high α-linolenic acid (ALA)) diet for either 6, 4 or 2 weeks prior to slaughter. During the remaining time they were maintained on a 3% macadamia oil (low ALA) diet. A fourth group (control, n = 60) was fed on a commercial diet for 6 weeks. 3. No significant difference was observed in growth performance of broilers between groups. The amounts of total n-3 and n-3 LCPUFA in breast and thigh meat were not different between broilers fed the flaxseed oil diet for 4 and 6 weeks, but they were lower (P < 0.001) in those fed the flaxseed diet for only 2 weeks. 4. These results suggest comparable levels of n-3 LCPUFA in the meat can be achieved by only feeding the flaxseed oil diet in the last 3-4 weeks of the growth period; this would result in a ≥ 9.4% reduction in the use of flaxseed oil compared to 6 weeks of feeding; thereby reducing the cost of the enrichment process.