The immune modulatory effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and iron as applied in an animal pulmonary tuberculosis model

iron or EPA/DHA on anaemia of infection, and of iron for higher immune cell counts.Furthermore, compared with the n-3 PUFA sufficient diet, EPA/DHA supplementation provided superior benefits in body weight gain, bacterial load, and lung inflammation in low-status mice. ConclusionsThe findings of this thesis showed that EPA/DHA supplementation, after the initial inflammatory response, has antibacterial and inflammation-resolving benefits and improves markers of anaemia of infection in TB, depending on n-3 PUFA status.On the other hand, iron promotes anti-inflammatory effects and improves markers of anaemia, but enhances immune cell recruitment and lowers body weight gain.Providing combination iron and EPA/DHA treatment attenuates their individual beneficial effects.Lastly, in low-status mice, EPA/DHA provides superior effects compared with an n-3 PUFA sufficient diet.Considering this, iron may not be detrimental concerning worsening the bacterial burden in TB, but moreover, n-3 LCPUFA therapy may be a promising approach as HDT in TB.