Objective: To study the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA, DHA) on the production of NO, expression of iNOS mRNA and DNA-binding activity of NFkappaB in human monocyte.
Methods: RT-PCR and enzyme reduction method were used to measure the expression of iNOS mRNA and production of NO respectively. The DNA-binding activity of NFkappaB was assessed by EMSA.
Results: EPA, DHA can decrease the production of NO, expression of iNOS mRNA and DNA-binding activity of NFkappaB between the dosage of 10microg/ml and 20microg/ml in human peripheral blood monocyte in vitro.
Conclusion: EPA, DHA have inhibitory effects on NO production, iNOS mRNA expression and DNA-binding activity of NFkappaB in monocyte. It indicates EPA, DHA suppress the production of inflammatory mediators via the NFkappaB signal transduction pathways in human monocyte, accordingly suppress inflammatory responses.