抄録
In the present study, we investigated whether dietary n-3 PUFA improves type I allergic symptoms. We fed the diets which contained oils that changed gradually in the dietary n-3/n-6 ratios (0.02, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, respectively) for three weeks to guinea pigs (Hartley, male). After the end of feeding, we counted the number of total leukocytes and eosinophils in peripheral blood, and lymphocytes in spleen and thymus. And we counted the number of tunica mucosa bronchiorum mast cells (TMBMC) and analysed the compositions of leukotrienes from mast cells. There were no differences in the number of total leukocytes in peripheral blood, but eosinophils decreased with increase of dietary n-3/n-6 ratios. Moreover, the number of TMBMCs decreased with increase of dietary n-3/n-6 ratios. The amount of 5 series leukotorienes from TMBMCs was increased with increase of dietary n-3/n-6 ratios. On the other hand, the amount of 4 series leukotorienes was decreased. These results shows that dietary n-3 PUFA improves type I allergic symptoms. On the other hand, There were no differences in the number of lymphocytes in spleen, but lymphocytes in thymus increased with increase of dietary n-3/n-6 ratios. This result shows that dietary n-3 PUFA (EPA and DHA) inhibits the maturity of lymphocytes.
