A placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementation with an EPA-rich or DHA-rich oil on a range of immune outcomes representing key functions of human neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes in healthy humans.
42 healthy subjects
4 weeks
Supplementation with either placebo (olive oil), EPA (4.7 g/d), or DHA (4.9 g/d) for 4 wk.
Blood samples were taken before and after supplementat- ion.
Fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids and neutrophils was dramatically altered by supplementation with EPA or DHA, and the effects of EPA differed notably from those of DHA.
DHA supplementation decreased T lymphocyte activation, when evaluated by expression of CD69, whereas EPA supplementation had no significant effect.
It was found that supplementation with DHA suppresses T lymphocyte activation, as assessed by expression of CD69. EPA alone does not, therefore, influence CD69 expression.
Kew S, Mesa MD, Tricon S, et al. Effects of oils rich in eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids on immune cell composition and function in healthy humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 ;79(4):674-81.
