Saturday, September 4, 2010

Scientists discover how omega-3 fatty acids shut down inflammation and reverse diabetes

(Picture, courtsey : Cell) Omega-3 fatty acids (-3 FAs), DHA and EPA, exert anti-inflammatory effects, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Now the  researchers  show that the G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) functions as an -3 FA receptor/sensor. As per the claim by the researchers, stimulation of GPR120 with -3 FAs or a chemical agonist causes broad anti-inflammatory effects in monocytic RAW 264.7 cells and in primary intraperitoneal macrophages. All of these effects are abrogated by GPR120 knockdown. Since chronic macrophage-mediated tissue inflammation is a key mechanism for insulin resistance in obesity, researchers fed obese WT and GPR120 knockout mice a high-fat diet with or without -3 FA supplementation.

The -3 FA treatment inhibited inflammation and enhanced systemic insulin sensitivity in WT mice, but was without effect in GPR120 knockout mice. In conclusion, GPR120 is a functional -3 FA receptor/sensor and mediates potent insulin sensitizing and antidiabetic effects in vivo by repressing macrophage-induced tissue inflammation. ….....

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