Alicja Zajdel, Adam Wilczok

Interactions between dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the gut microbiota
2023-10-26

The gut microbiota forms a complex and metabolically active ecosystem. Changes in gut microbiota activity correlate with the health status.. It is not known whether the dysfunction of the intestinal microbiota due to undesirable changes in the qualitative and quantitative composition (so-called dysbiosis) is a cause or effect of disease states. Long-term dietary habits play a key role in the formation of the human-specific gut microbiota. Despite many publications on the effects of carbohydrates with prebiotic properties, the effects of dietary fats, such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), on the gut microbiota are not fully explained. The main bioactive forms in humans among omega-3 PUFAs, are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6). These compounds play an important role in the proper functioning of the human body, as well as in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, so they are widely used as nutraceuticals. Few studies with adults have shown changes in gut microbiota after omega-3 PUFAs supplementation and a reduction in dysbiosis. Omega-3 PUFAs can influence the diversity and abundance of the gut microbiome, on the other hand, gut microbes can affect the metabolism and absorption of these compounds. Omega-3 PUFAs affect the gut microbiome in three main ways: by modulating the type and abundance of intestinal microbes, by altering the levels of proinflammatory mediators such as endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides) and interleukine 17; and by regulating the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

The aim of this study was to summarize the current state of knowledge on the biological activity of the intestinal microbiota, particularly the interactions of the microbiota and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in humans. The data search was performed in July 2023 in the PubMed database and publicly available literature using the following queries: „intestinal microbiota”, „microbiome”, „omega-3 polyunsaturated acids intestinal microbiota”, „EPA intestinal microbiota”, „DHA intestinal microbiota”. The article discusses the interactions between the intestinal microbiota and omega-3 PUFAs. The issues presented allow to conclude that elucidating the mechanisms of interaction between the gut microbiota and omega-3 PUFAs may provide the basis for developing more effective therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: gut microbiota, omega-3 PUFAs, gut microbiota - PUFAs omega-3 interactions, health.

© Farm Pol, 2023, 79(6): 347–354