Immunomodulation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Purified from Nitzschia Laevis

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) plays an important role in the regulation of biological functions and prevention of a number of diseases involved heart and inflammatory diseases. The immunomodulation of a high-purity PUFA ethyl ester purified from Nitzschia Laevis was assessed in vitro in this paper. The main composition of PUFA is arachidonic acid (ARA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), accounted for 25.48% and 66.39%, respectively. Mitogen-induced splenocyte prolife-ration, the effect of PUFA on splenocytes fatty acids composition and proinflammatory cytokine were examined. Incubated with PUFA at the concentration of 2 mug/mL for 72 h, splenocyte proliferation index was significant increased compared to control (P<0.05). The lipid profiles of splenocyte were changed significantly when incubated with PUFA for 72 h, long chain unsaturated fatty acids were increased, whereas saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were decreased. The production of tumor necrosis factor by splenocyte incubated with PUFA for 48 h was increased apparently (P<0.05). However, there was no difference in production of interleukin-2 at either concentration of PUFA (P<0.05).