Nutrition & Immunity/Cardiovascular Disease

HOT TOPIC: NUTRITION & IMMUNITY/ CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE by Dr Parveen Yaqoob, University of Reading.
Fatty acids, lipid rafts and environmental toxicity in endothelial cells
Wang L, Reiterer G, Toborek M, Hennig B. 2008. Changing ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids can differentially modulate polychlorinated biphenyl toxicity in endothelial cells. Chemico-Biological Interactions 172:27-38.

 The potential for nutrition to modulate the toxicity of environmental pollutants is becoming increasingly recognized. Since many persistent organic pollutants are fat-soluble, it has been proposed that high fat foods pose multiple risks to health, contributing both a potential excess of calories, as well as environmental toxins. The uptake of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by endothelial cells has been shown to be increased in the presence of linoleic acid, and it has been suggested that PCBs activate endothelial cells by a mechanisms involving caveolae. It is possible that PCBs accumulate in the caveolae of endothelial cells and somehow interact with specific fatty acids, since linoleic acid amplified, whereas ?-linolenic acid protected against, PCB-induced endothelial activation. Since oily fish containing long-chain n-3 PUFA could potentially be contaminated with organic pollutants, they represent a food group which has substantial health benefits, as well as possible risks. However, the consensus remains that fish consumption should be encouraged due to its considerable cardioprotective properties.