Original Article

Fish oil supplementation in early infancy modulates developing infant immune responses

  1. N. D'Vaz1,
  2. S. J. Meldrum1,
  3. J. A. Dunstan1,
  4. T. F. Lee-Pullen3,
  5. J. Metcalfe1,
  6. B. J. Holt4,
  7. M. Serralha4,
  8. M. K. Tulic1,
  9. T. A. Mori2,
  10. S. L. Prescott1,*

Article first published online: 16 JUL 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2012.04031.x

Issue

Clinical & Experimental Allergy

Clinical & Experimental Allergy

Volume 42, Issue 8, pages 1206–1216, August 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

N. D.'Vaz, S. J. Meldrum, J. A. Dunstan, T. F. Lee-Pullen, J. Metcalfe, B. J. Holt, M. Serralha, M. K. Tulic, T. A. Mori and S. L. Prescott, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2012 (42) 1206–1216.

Author Information

  1. 1

    School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth, WA, Australia

  2. 2

    School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia and the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia

  3. 3

    Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

  4. 4

    The Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

*Correspondence:
Susan L Prescott
School Paediatrics and Child Health Research (SPACH)
University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia
PO Box D184
Princess Margaret Hospital
Perth, WA 6001
Australia
E-mail: sprescott@meddent.uwa.edu.au

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 16 JUL 2012
  2. Article first published online: 16 JUL 2012
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 8 MAY 2012 09:51AM EST
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 23 APR 2012
  5. Manuscript Revised: 20 APR 2012
  6. Manuscript Received: 7 JAN 2012

Funded by

  • National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
  • 458502
  • Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation
  • The Asthma Foundation of Western Australia

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Keywords:

  • allergy;
  • cytokines;
  • fish oil supplementation;
  • infants;
  • omega 3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract

Background

Maternal fish oil supplementation during pregnancy has been associated with altered infant immune responses and a reduced risk of infant sensitization and eczema.

Objective

To examine the effect of early postnatal fish oil supplementation on infant cellular immune function at 6 months of age in the context of allergic disease.

Methods

In a double-blind randomized controlled trial (ACTRN12606000281594), 420 infants of high atopic risk received fish oil [containing 280 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 110 mg eicosapentanoic acid (EPA)] or control oil daily from birth to 6 months. One hundred and twenty infants had blood collected at 6 months of age. Fatty acid levels, induced cytokine responses, T cell subsets and monocyte HLA-DR expression were assessed at 6 months of age. Infant allergies were assessed at 6 and 12 months of age.

Results

DHA and EPA levels were significantly higher in the fish oil group and erythrocyte arachidonic acid (AA) levels were lower (all P < 0.05). Infants in the fish oil group had significantly lower IL-13 responses (P = 0.036) to house dust mite (HDM) and higher IFNγ (P = 0.035) and TNF (P = 0.017) responses to phytohaemaglutinin (PHA). Infants with relatively high DHA levels had lower Th2 responses to allergens including lower IL-13 to β-lactoglobulin (BLG) (P = 0.020), and lower IL-5 to BLG (P = 0.045).

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Postnatal fish oil supplementation increased infant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels and associated with lowered allergen-specific Th2 responses and elevated polyclonal Th1 responses. Our results add to existing evidence of n-3 PUFA having immunomodulatory properties that are potentially allergy-protective.

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