Objective: To investigate the effect of omega-3 PUFAs, eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosohexanoic acid (DHA) on inflammatory cytokine production in the amnion.
Study design: Amnion explants were obtained at elective caesarean sections and cultured in vitro with EPA and DHA. IL-8 and IL-6 secretion was determined by ELISA, the role of PPARγ was investigated using specific agonists and antagonists and activity of MMP assessed by gelatin zymography.
Results: A combination of EPA and DHA significantly reduced the concentration of IL-8 and IL-6 released into the supernatant compared to untreated controls (p<0.001). Stimulation of PPARγ with troglitazone reduced IL-8 production, and the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 partially reversed this effect. The activity of MMP-9 was also significantly reduced by treatment with EPA and DHA in combination compared to untreated control (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The omega-3 PUFAs EPA and DHA decrease the inflammatory response of the amnion, and this may be partially mediated through PPARγ.
Keywords: Foetal membranes; Inflammation; PPARγ; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Pregnancy.
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