Relationship between cell membrane fatty acids and inflammatory markers in ovariectomized diabetic rats treated with fish oil

Dietary omega-3 fatty acids decrease pro-inflammatory markers by displacing arachidonic acid (AA) from cell membranes and competing with it for the enzymes that catalyze the biosynthesis of thromboxanes, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. This study aimed to investigate the beneficial role of fish oil (FO) as a source of omega-3 fatty acids on pro-inflammatory markers in diabetic ovariectomized rats in context of AA releasing status from the cell membrane. Forty female rats were divided into four groups: sham operated rats (control group), sham operated rats received orally fish oil, ovariectomized diabetic rats (OVX-D) and OVX-D rats received fish oil (treated group). Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) and Lipoxin-A4 (LXA4) were measured. The concentration of arachidonic acid (AA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were estimated by HPLC. Results indicated that hyperglycemia in OVX diabetic rats significantly increased pro-inflammatory markers and erythrocyte membrane arachidonic acid, concomitant with a reduction in ALA, fish oil supplementation attenuated this parameters, indicating a significant effect in managing several complications of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats which may be related to the efficiency of omega 3 fatty acids in suppressing inflammation of pancreatic beta cell, enhancement of insulin secretion and uptake of glucose in adipose tissue.