TY - JOUR

T1 - Omega-3 supplementation changes the physical properties of leukocytes but not erythrocytes in healthy individuals

T2 - An exploratory trial

AU - Schuchardt, Jan Philipp

AU - Kräter, Martin

AU - Schlögel, Maximilian

AU - Guck, Jochen

AU - van Oirschot-Hermans, Brigitte A

AU - Bos, Jennifer

AU - van Wijk, Richard

AU - Tintle, Nathan L

AU - Westra, Jason

AU - Kerlikowsky, Felix

AU - Hahn, Andreas

AU - Harris, William S

N1 - Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

PY - 2024/3

Y1 - 2024/3

N2 - n3-PUFA impact health in several ways, including cardiovascular protection and anti-inflammatory effects, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this exploratory study involving 31 healthy subjects, we aimed to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of fish-oil supplementation (1500 mg EPA+DHA/day) on the physical properties of multiple blood cell types. We used deformability cytometry (DC) for all cell types and Laser-assisted Optical Rotational Red Cell Analysis (Lorrca) to assess red blood cell (RBC) deformability. We also investigated the correlation between changes in the physical properties of blood cells and changes in the Omega-3 Index (O3I), defined as the relative content of EPA+DHA in RBCs. Following supplementation, the mean±SD O3I increased from 5.3 %±1.5 % to 8.3 %±1.4 % (p < 0.001). No significant changes in RBC properties were found by both techniques. However, by DC we observed a consistent pattern of physical changes in lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes. Among these were significant increases in metrics correlated with the cells' deformability resulting in less stiff cells. The results suggest that leukocytes become softer and have an increased ability to deform under induced short-term physical stress such as hydrodynamic force in the circulation. These changes could impact immune function since softer leukocytes can potentially circulate more easily and could facilitate a more rapid response to systemic inflammation or infection. In conclusion, fish-oil supplementation modulates some physical properties of leukocyte-subfractions, potentially enhancing their biological function. Further studies are warranted to explore the impact of n3-PUFA on blood cell biology, particularly in disease states associated with leukocyte dysregulation.

AB - n3-PUFA impact health in several ways, including cardiovascular protection and anti-inflammatory effects, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this exploratory study involving 31 healthy subjects, we aimed to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of fish-oil supplementation (1500 mg EPA+DHA/day) on the physical properties of multiple blood cell types. We used deformability cytometry (DC) for all cell types and Laser-assisted Optical Rotational Red Cell Analysis (Lorrca) to assess red blood cell (RBC) deformability. We also investigated the correlation between changes in the physical properties of blood cells and changes in the Omega-3 Index (O3I), defined as the relative content of EPA+DHA in RBCs. Following supplementation, the mean±SD O3I increased from 5.3 %±1.5 % to 8.3 %±1.4 % (p < 0.001). No significant changes in RBC properties were found by both techniques. However, by DC we observed a consistent pattern of physical changes in lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes. Among these were significant increases in metrics correlated with the cells' deformability resulting in less stiff cells. The results suggest that leukocytes become softer and have an increased ability to deform under induced short-term physical stress such as hydrodynamic force in the circulation. These changes could impact immune function since softer leukocytes can potentially circulate more easily and could facilitate a more rapid response to systemic inflammation or infection. In conclusion, fish-oil supplementation modulates some physical properties of leukocyte-subfractions, potentially enhancing their biological function. Further studies are warranted to explore the impact of n3-PUFA on blood cell biology, particularly in disease states associated with leukocyte dysregulation.

KW - Blood cell stiffness

KW - Cell deformability cytometry

KW - Lymphocytes

KW - Monocytes

KW - Neutrophils

KW - Omega-3 index

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85201502276&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.plefa.2024.102636

DO - 10.1016/j.plefa.2024.102636

M3 - Article

C2 - 39159530

VL - 202

JO - Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids

JF - Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids

SN - 0952-3278

M1 - 102636

ER -