Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Due to Activation of GPR120

The molecular basis for the anti-inflammatory action of fish oil (heavily enriched with omega-3 fatty acids) was studied, and the key element was found to be the protein GPR120.

GPR120, a G protein-coupled receptor found primarily in fat tissue and on macrophages, is a member of a class of receptors that is involved in many cell functions and is a frequent drug target.

In the current study investigators at the University of California, San Diego (USA) looked at the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and GPR120. To this end they fed obese wild type mice and mice that had been genetically engineered to lack the gene for GPR120 (GPR120 knockout mice) a high fat diet with or without omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.

They reported in the September 3, 2010, online edition of the journal Cell that the omega-3 fatty acid treatment inhibited inflammation and enhanced systemic insulin sensitivity in the wild type mice, but was without effect in the GPR120 knockout mice. GPR120 acted as a functional omega-3 fatty acid receptor/sensor and mediated potent insulin sensitizing and antidiabetic effects in vivo by repressing macrophage-induced tissue inflammation.

"Omega-3s are very potent activators of GPR120 on macrophages - more potent than any other anti-inflammatory we have ever seen,” said senior author Dr. Jerrold Olefsky, professor of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of California, San Diego.

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