SearchPublisher and Institutes
You are here: Home :: Area NEM :: Medical science :: Human medicine
Nicole Blümer, Harald Renz
Consumption of ?3-fatty acids during perinatal life: role in immuno-modulation and allergy prevention
Keywords: allergy, immuno-modulation, perinatal life phase, ?3-fatty acids
Epidemiological data suggest that dietary factors may have a role in recent increases of the prevalence of allergic diseases. One food-related component might be the reduced consumption of ?3-polyunsaturated fatty acids observed especially in the Western societies; yet, clinical trials supplementing ?3-fatty acids to adults with established allergies and bronchial asthma have generally been disappointing. However, it is known that the immature immune system is highly susceptible to immuno-modulatory environmental conditions particularly in the pre- and postnatal period. This review discusses the immuno-modulatory effects of ?3-fatty acids supplementation in the perinatal life phase on the immune system of the child. Evidence exists that perinatal ?3-fatty acid exposure affects T-cells and antigen presenting cells of the neonates likely due to altered eicosanoid metabolism. Although animal experiments strongly suggest a role of maternal ?3-fatty acid intake on allergic immune responses in the offspring, the beneficial effect of ?3-fatty acid supplementation has been studied in a small number of clinical trials. In these studies perinatal supplementation had some positive effects on distinct clinical phenotypes of the atopic syndrome. However, more studies are needed to fully explore the opportunity of perinatal immuno-modulation.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 35, 02/2007
Pages: S12 - S18