Inhibition of neutrophil respiratory burst and cytokine priming by γ-linolenic acid

Abstract

Abstract The effect of n-6 fatty acids, particularly y-linolenic acid (GLA), on the oxidase response and neutrophil priming by tumour necrosis factor a and interleukin 8 was studied in both normal volunteers and patients with obstructive jaundice. GLA inhibited the neutrophil respiratory burst at concentrations higher than 50 μmol/l, but abolished cytokine priming at concentrations as low as 1 μmmol/1. Inhibition was not the result of either cytotoxicity to the neutrophils or alteration in cytosolic free calcium homoeostasis. It is concluded that GLA is a potential inhibitor of neutrophil priming by cytokines and of the oxidative response.