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Grandma was right - cod liver oil is good for you!
January 12, 2000In inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, the presence of unusual fatty acids, Omega or n-3 fatty acids, (that are uniquely present in fish oils but not other oils common in the diet) in the cartilage cells reduces the activity of specific enzymes (Proteolytic or aggrecanase enzymes) that are responsible for cartilage damage.
The Cardiff University scientists have confirmed that these unusual fatty acids are incorporated into the lipid membranes and vesicles of cartilage cells. Their findings are published today (Friday, 14 January 2000) in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
These unusual fatty acids also cause the 'switching off' of another recently-discovered enzyme (cyclooxygenase-2) that causes much of the pain and inflammation in arthritis. The enzyme Cyclooxygenase-2 is responsible for the biosynthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins and related compounds.
"This is a particularly interesting finding because there is intense activity in the pharmaceutical industry to find specific drug inhibitors of Cyclooxygenase-2," said Professor Bruce Caterson, who is leading the research, funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign.
The presence of these unusual fatty acids (Omega or n-3 fatty acids) also switches off the chronic synthesis (autocrine synthesis) of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 and TNF-alpha which tend to prolong and propagate the pain and inflammation in arthritis.
"Dietary Fish Oil supplements may be achieving the desired inhibition already and our findings may help define new targets and strategies for drug development in these areas," said Professor Caterson.
"These findings provide some very interesting explanations as to why Granny's Cod Liver Oil therapies have some benefits to arthritis sufferers.
"The good thing about modern day dietary supplements is that Fish Oil is available in capsules, thus preventing the most obvious deterrent to this treatment - the smell that precedes the terrible taste!"
The research was performed by PhD student, Clare Curtis who is jointly supervised by Professors Bruce Caterson and John Harwood at the University's School of Biosciences. Important collaborators and co-advisors in this work were Clare Hughes and Carl Flannery both of whom are ARC Postdoctoral Research Fellows and Chris Little who is also funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign.
-ends-
Further information
Professor Bruce Caterson, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University
Tel:029 20 874595
Mob:07970 551664
Email:Caterson@cf.ac.uk
Debra Evans, Media and PR Officer, Cardiff University
Tel:029 20 874499
Mob:07970 963633
Email:EvansD2@cf.ac.uk
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
"This is a particularly interesting finding because there is intense activity in the pharmaceutical industry to find specific drug inhibitors of Cyclooxygenase-2," said Professor Bruce Caterson, who is leading the research, funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign.
The presence of these unusual fatty acids (Omega or n-3 fatty acids) also switches off the chronic synthesis (autocrine synthesis) of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 and TNF-alpha which tend to prolong and propagate the pain and inflammation in arthritis.
"Dietary Fish Oil supplements may be achieving the desired inhibition already and our findings may help define new targets and strategies for drug development in these areas," said Professor Caterson.
"These findings provide some very interesting explanations as to why Granny's Cod Liver Oil therapies have some benefits to arthritis sufferers.
"The good thing about modern day dietary supplements is that Fish Oil is available in capsules, thus preventing the most obvious deterrent to this treatment - the smell that precedes the terrible taste!"
The research was performed by PhD student, Clare Curtis who is jointly supervised by Professors Bruce Caterson and John Harwood at the University's School of Biosciences. Important collaborators and co-advisors in this work were Clare Hughes and Carl Flannery both of whom are ARC Postdoctoral Research Fellows and Chris Little who is also funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign.
-ends-
Further information
Professor Bruce Caterson, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University
Tel:029 20 874595
Mob:07970 551664
Email:Caterson@cf.ac.uk
Debra Evans, Media and PR Officer, Cardiff University
Tel:029 20 874499
Mob:07970 963633
Email:EvansD2@cf.ac.uk
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
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