低频磁场对后肢去负荷大鼠骨代谢的影响

目的探讨低频磁场对去负荷大鼠骨质的影响,为骨丢失的防护提供实验依据。方法SD大鼠随机分为3组:对照组(AC)、悬吊组(SC)、磁场组(MFC)(14.2mT·0.5hd),每组9只,实验期为21天。实验结束后测定各组大鼠血尿生化指标、骨生物力学、矿盐含量和一氧化氮(NO)的含量。结果与AC组比较,SC组大鼠骨矿盐含量及生物力学性能均显著下降,而MFC组大鼠与SC组比较血尿各项生化指标均有不同程度的改善,骨生物力学和矿盐含量均显著增加;股骨干NO含量明显减少。结论低频磁场可改善大鼠因去负荷引起的骨代谢和骨结构异常,减少骨丢失,提高骨生物力学性能,降低骨折危险度。     

模拟失重大鼠骨矿盐再分布与骨力学性能降低

车文目的是观察悬吊模拟失重大鼠骨矿盐再分布(骨密度增加)与骨生物力学变化的关系，选用S．D雄性大鼠38只．体重l67土40克，接体重配对分为尾部悬吊组和自由活动组。实验期21天。实验结果显示：模拟失重大鼠第6胸椎矿盐密度显著增加，骨最大载荷，弹性载荷和弹性桡度显蓍降低，骨强度，骨硬度和胶原弹性变形强度显著降低，实验结果表明，骨密度增加并不一定导致骨质量也随之增加。     

益生元对饮用银化水模拟失重大鼠骨代谢与骨生物力学的影响

目的　研究饮用银化水对模拟失重大鼠骨代谢与骨生物力学的影响及益生元的调整作用。方法　 40只SPF级SD雄性大鼠随机分为地面对照组 (GC)、模拟失重对照组 (SC)、模拟失重饮用银化水组 (SS)、银化水与益生元模拟失重组 (SPS) ,实验期 2 1d。EDTA滴定法测定饲料钙表观吸收率和骨钙含量 ,双能X射线测右侧股骨密度 ,质构仪测右侧股骨生物力学指标。结果　骨代谢指标SC组显著低于GC组 (P <0 0 0 1 ) ,SS组也低于SC组 (P <0 0 5) ,SPS组高于SS组 (P <0 0 5) ;SC组骨结构力学和材料力学指标均显著低于GC组 (P <0 0 0 1 ) ,SS组材料力学指标低于SC组 (P <0 0 5) ,SPS组材料力学指标高于SS组 (P <0 0 5)。结论　饮用 0 2 0mg/L银化水加重了模拟失重大鼠骨代谢的紊乱和骨材料力学的下降 ,而益生元可以缓解饮用银化水模拟失重大鼠骨代谢的紊乱和骨材料力学的下降。     

n-3多不饱和脂肪酸对人结肠癌细胞增殖与凋亡的影响

目的探讨n-3多不饱和脂肪酸（n-3PUFA）对人结肠癌细胞HT．29的作用及其机制。方法应用MTT比色法、细胞的形态学观察（Hochest33258染色）、DNA凝胶电泳、流式细胞技术检测二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）对HT．29增殖和凋亡的影响：气相色谱分析的方法检测DHA对HT-29细胞n-3PUFA和n．6PUFA含量及n-6／n-3PUFA比例的影响。结果DHA在体外对HT．29有明显的增殖抑制作用,10、20、40和80mg儿DHA作用24h时的细胞增殖抑制率分别为16．8％、24．7％、50．0％和60．1％。40mg／LDHA作用24、48和72h的细胞增殖抑制率分别为50．0％、69．9％和77．0％：呈现明显的剂量和时间效应关系。荧光染色可观察到细胞核染色质浓集,核浓缩核碎裂．并出现典型的凋亡小体：DNA凝胶电泳呈现特征性的梯形条带（DNALadder）：流式细胞仪检测显示经DHA处理后HT-29DNA合成前期（G,期）细胞比例较对照组增加（72．1％比51．3％）,DNA合成期（S期）细胞比例明显减少（19．9％比38．9％）,细胞呈现明显的G,期阻滞;气相色谱分析显示．DHA可以降低HT-29细胞内n-6PUFA而提高n-3PUFA含量,降低n-6／n-3PUFA比率。结论n-3PUFA通过抑制细胞增殖和诱导细胞凋亡来阻遏结肠癌细胞的生长．这种作用的机制可能为降低了细胞的n-6／n-3PUFA的比例。     

模拟失重状态下雌、雄大鼠骨质疏松模型骨结构及生物力学对比研究

目的 模拟失重尾部悬吊雌、雌性大鼠模型松质骨骨密度、骨小梁结构、骨组织形态、骨代谢生化指标及力学性能的对比研究,为不同性别航天员飞行后骨量变化及航天医学提供实验依据。方法 3个月龄雌、雄性SD大鼠各20只,每组分别随机再分为2组,尾部悬吊4周组和空白对照组。到期处死SD大鼠,双能X线吸收法（dual -energy X-ray absorption DEXA )测定 L4椎体、股骨踝部骨密度,Micro-CT进行骨小梁分析,改良丽春红染色方法进行骨组织切片染色,ELISA法检测血清骨代谢生化标志物,生物力学测试机进行生物力学检测。结果 不同性别悬吊组大鼠较对照组大鼠椎体、股骨髁部骨密度均显著下降,松质骨的骨体积分数(BV/TV)、骨小梁厚度(Tb. Th)、骨小梁数目（TB. N)、表面积体积比（BS/BV)较对照组显著降低（P <0. 05),骨小梁间隙（TB、Sp)较对照组显著增加;骨代谢生化指标骨特异性碱性磷酸酶（BALP)、抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶 (TRAP)悬吊组较对照组显著增加,雄性悬吊组分别为对照组的4. 1和2. 7倍,雌性悬吊组分别为对照组的4. 5和3. 1倍;生物力学测试表明悬吊组椎体的最大压缩载荷(N)、最大压缩压力（MPa)、股骨最大抗弯曲载荷（N)雄性悬吊组分别较对照组下降：27. 5%、26. 4%、24 8% ;雌性悬吊组分别较对照组下降：36. 6%、33%、34%,力学强度显著下降。通过雌、雄性悬吊大鼠对比研究发现,雌性大鼠L4椎体、股骨髁部BMD,松质骨BV/TV、Tb. Th、TB. N、TB. N以及椎体的最大压缩载荷（N)、最大压缩压力（MPa)、股骨最大抗弯曲载荷(N)显著降低(P < 0. 05),骨小梁间隙(TB、Sp)、BALP、TRAP雌性悬吊组较雄性悬吊组显著增加(P <0. 05)。结论 尾部悬吊雌、雄性大鼠4周后分别出现明显的骨质疏松、骨小梁三维结构破坏、椎体及股骨生物力学显著下降、骨代谢失平衡,理论上增加了骨折的风险。同时更值得注意的是雌性悬吊大鼠骨质疏松程度较雄性悬吊组更加明显。不同性别航天员骨量丢失及骨折的风险应得到充分的认识,并指导我们航天医疗工作方面进行个性化干预措施。     

软化型氟骨症大鼠骨密度和骨生物力学的变化及硼预防的影响

目的：观察及分析软化型氟症大鼠骨密度（BMD）和骨生物力学特性的变化及硼预防对此的影响。方法：SD大鼠分为对照组、低过量氟组、高过量氟组和硼预防组，实验20周后测量大鼠BMD和血清氟、硼含量、四肢骨氟含量及进行股骨生物力学检测。结果：低过量氟组和高过量氟组大鼠血清游离氟、骨氟含量显著增高；全身和胫骨BMD降低，腰椎BMD变化不大；股骨最大负荷减低，最大形变增加。相比高过量氟组，硼预防组大鼠血清游离氟和骨氟含量明显下降；全身、腰椎和胫骨BMD显著增高；胫骨最大负荷明显增加，最大形变明显减小。4组大鼠血清硼含量无显著性差异。结论：软化型氟骨症大鼠骨密度和骨生物力学特性变化明显，呈现骨软化和骨质疏松；饲料加硼对此变化有一定的预防作用。     

大豆异黄酮对大鼠骨密度及骨代谢生化指标的影响

目的 研究植物雌激素-大豆异黄酮对大鼠骨密度及骨代谢生化指标的影响。方法 将断乳Wister大鼠按体重随机分为4组，分别给予基础饲料和不同剂量的大豆异黄酮。每周称体重，调整给食量。12周后处死大鼠，取脏器称重，计算脏体比值；剥离股骨，测骨矿物质含量(BMC)、骨密度(BMD)和骨钙、骨磷的含量；对血清中骨形成生化指标碱性磷酸酶、骨钙素和骨吸收生化指标抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶进行检测，同时测定雌激素-雌二醇(E2)的含量。结果 具有弱雌激素样作用的大豆异黄酮对实验大鼠的子宫、卵巢无刺激作用。与对照组相比，给予大豆异黄酮能提高BMC、BMD及骨钙含量，并随剂量的增加而增大。大豆异黄酮可影响骨代谢，高剂量的大豆异黄酮(41．6mg／kg)同时抑制骨形成和骨吸收，使骨转化率降低，但对骨吸收的作用大于骨形成。给予大豆异黄酮组血清雌激素水平大于对照组。结论 大豆异黄酮通过调整骨代谢生化指标的活性，提高大鼠的骨钙含量和骨密度，可预防骨质疏松的发生。     

悬吊模拟失重及解悬吊对大鼠骨密度及生物力学的影响

目的：观察尾部悬吊模拟失重及解悬吊后大鼠骨密度及生物力学的变化。方法：20只Wistar雄性大鼠随机分成空白组和模型组。模型组尾部悬吊14d,解悬吊后继续饲养14d,空白组则正常饲养28d。实验第14天活体检测各组大鼠颅骨、T2椎体、L4椎体、骨盆、右侧桡尺骨和右侧股骨的骨密度（bone mineral density,BMD）;实验第28天处死大鼠,检测右侧股骨及L4椎体BMD及生物力学强度。结果：与空白组相比,实验第14天,模型组大鼠股骨、骨盆、腰椎BMD明显低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.001,P〈0.001,P〈0.01）;颅骨、胸椎、桡尺骨BMD无明显变化（P〉0.05）。实验第28天,模型组大鼠股骨、腰椎BMD和股骨最大载荷明显低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01,P〈0.001,P〈0.01）。结论：大鼠尾部悬吊14d即可引起骨代谢的紊乱：承重骨骨矿盐大量丢失;即使解悬吊14d后承重骨BMD及力学强度也明显降低,表明骨代谢紊乱短期内不能恢复正常。     

骨宝液在去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松症中抑制骨转换作用的实验研究

目的：探讨骨宝液对去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松症中抑制骨转换作用。方法：60只大鼠去卵巢诱导骨质疏松症，随机分为正常对照组、模型组、尼尔雌醇组、骨宝液低、中、高剂量组。正常对照组、模型组以0．9％生理盐水每天10ml／kg，尼尔雌醇组以尼尔雌醇每2周1mg／kg，其他三组每天分别以骨宝液5、10、15ml／kg的剂量灌胃给药3个月后，以比色法测定其血清钙（s-Ca）、骨碱性磷酸酶（b-AKP）和血清抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶（s-TRAP）的活性，竞争放射免疫法测定血清中骨钙素（s-BGP）的含量；双能x线骨密度仪（DEXA）测定股骨及腰椎的骨密度；三点弯曲试验法测定骨生物力学；扫描电镜进行骨小梁形态计量学分析。结果：骨宝液组与其他组比较，s-TRAP水平降低，腰椎骨密度增加，股骨抗弯抗拉能力改善，骨小梁形态改善，骨小梁平均宽度（MTT）与骨小梁面积百分比（TS％）显著增加。结论：骨宝液对去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松症具有防治作用，其机制可能与抑制骨转换有关。     

卵巢切除大鼠血清甲状旁腺素、降钙素变化与骨质量降低

本以OVX大鼠为动物模型，观察了去势15天、30天和60天大鼠血清甲状旁腺激素(PTH)和降钙素(CT)含量，第6胸椎(T6)，第3腰椎(L3)和股骨矿盐含量及骨力学参数的变化。实验结果表明，去势15天、30天和60天大鼠血清CT显降低，去势30天和60天大鼠血清PTH显降低。去势15天大鼠T6横截面积显降低，去势60天大鼠T6类骨质含量显增加。去势15天和30天大鼠L3矿盐含量显降低，30天骨压缩强度显降低，60天最大应力、杨氏模量显降低，横截面积显增加。去势15天和3D天大鼠股骨弯曲应力、张应力显降低，弹性能密度在30天显降低，去势60天股骨近l／3部位矿盐含量显降低。实验结景提示．()VX大鼠CT降低是引起骨质丢失、骨力学性能低下的一个重要因素。松质骨骨丢失早于皮质骨．但力学性能的降低晚于皮质骨，()Vx大鼠骨有机质减少是非腔原蛋白减少。     

Influence of topical administration of n-3 and n-6 essential and n-9 nonessential fatty acids on the healing of cutaneous wounds.

Injury triggers a series of physiological events at the wound site. These include an inflammatory response that is established shortly after the injury, which is then followed by an intense formation of tissue over a period of days. Poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids exert major functions on the inflammatory responses, either in the form of phospholipids anchored in the cell membrane or as soluble lipoic mediators. We present evidence that linolenic (n-3), linoleic (n-6), and oleic (n-9) fatty acids can modulate the closure of surgically induced skin wounds. We found that n-9 fatty acids induced faster wound closure when compared to n-3, n-6, and control. In addition, n-9 fatty acids strongly inhibited the production of nitric oxide at the wound site. A mild improvement on wound closure was observed in the n-6 fatty acid-treated animals concurrent with a peak in nitric oxide production at 48 hours postsurgery. N-3 fatty acid treatment significantly delayed wound closure. Furthermore, we showed that n-3 fatty acid induced a peak in nitric oxide at 3 hours postsurgery and an intense deposition of extracellular matrix after 5 days of treatment. Thus, our results suggest a relevant role and potential therapeutic implication for fatty acids on skin wound healing.     

Modulation of human hepatocyte acute phase protein production in vitro by n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigate the role of a variety of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids on the spontaneous and interleukin-6 stimulated production of acute phase proteins by isolated human hepatocytes. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The altered production of acute phase proteins by the liver is one of the principal effects of the systemic inflammatory response in human disease. It has been shown that polyunsaturated fatty acids have certain anti-inflammatory properties that potentially are mediated through altered prostaglandin or proinflammatory cytokine production. However, the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the responsiveness of the human hepatocyte to proinflammatory cytokines has not been studied in detail. METHODS: Hepatocytes isolated from human livers were maintained in primary culture in the presence of a variety of bovine serum albumin-complexed fatty acids. The influence of these fatty acids on hepatocyte acute phase protein production was assessed, in the presence and absence of recombinant interleukin-6, by measurement of acute phase proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Eicosapentaenoic and gammalinolenic acid increased spontaneous production of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and prealbumin but decreased spontaneous production of transferrin and haptoglobin from isolated human hepatocytes. Eicosapentaenoic and gammalinolenic significantly increased interleukin-6-stimulated production of C-reactive protein and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin but reversed the stimulatory effect of interleukin-6 on haptoglobin production. These fatty acids also reversed the inhibitory effect of interleukin-6 on prealbumin production. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that certain fatty acids have the potential to modulate spontaneous and cytokine-induced alterations in human hepatic acute phase protein metabolism. These data indicate the presence of complex mechanisms of regulation of human hepatic protein metabolism by fatty acids, and further study will be required to establish the nature of their influence in vivo.     

Association of plasma n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with synovitis in the knee: the MOST study

In osteoarthritis (OA) the synovium is often inflamed and inflammatory cytokines contribute to cartilage damage. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have anti-inflammatory effects whereas omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs) have, on balance, proinflammatory effects. The goal of our study was to assess the association of fasting plasma phospholipid n-6 and n-3 PUFAs with synovitis as measured by synovial thickening on contrast enhanced (CE) knee MRI and cartilage damage among subjects in the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST). MOST is a cohort study of individuals who have or are at high risk of knee OA. An unselected subset of participants who volunteered obtained CE 1.5T MRI of one knee. Synovitis was scored in six compartments and a summary score was created. This subset also had fasting plasma, analyzed by gas chromatography for phospholipid fatty acid content, and non-CE MRI, read for cartilage morphology according to the Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) method. The association between synovitis and cartilage morphology and plasma PUFAs was assessed using logistic regression after controlling for the effects of age, sex, and BMI. 472 out of 535 subjects with CE MRI had complete data on synovitis, cartilage morphology and plasma phospholipids. Mean age was 60 years, mean BMI 30, and 50% were women. We found an inverse relation between total n-3 PUFAs and the specific n-3, docosahexaenoic acid with patellofemoral cartilage loss, but not tibiofemoral cartilage loss or synovitis. A positive association was observed between the n-6 PUFA, arachidonic acid, and synovitis. In conclusion, systemic levels of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs which are influenced by diet, may be related to selected structural findings in knees with or at risk of OA. Future studies manipulating the systemic levels of these fatty acids may be warranted to determine the effects on structural damage in knee OA.     

n-3多不饱和脂肪酸和肾脏疾病

慢性肾脏疾病（CKD）已成为一个威胁公众健康的重要问题，如不及早预防与干预，将导致进行性肾脏纤维化和肾功能减退，直至进入终末期肾衰竭，而不得不依赖透析或肾移植生存。原发病的类型是决定肾功能减退速度的重要因素，除此之外，目前的研究显示许多心血管疾病的危险因素如高血压、糖尿病、吸烟和脂质代谢紊乱等亦能影响CKD的进展。鱼油中的主要成分n-3多不饱和脂肪酸（n-3PUFA）被证实具有心血管保护作用，饮食富含n-3PUFA的爱斯基摩人和日本人群中动脉粥样硬化引起的死亡比例较其他人群明显降低。CKD的病理生理学特征与动脉粥样硬化有许多相似之处，近来一些研究提示n-3PUFA对于肾脏疾病亦有益处，我们就此作一综述。     

Supplementation with n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids: effects on lipoxygenase activity and clinical symptoms of pruritus in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of supplementation with different sources of oils rich in long chain fatty acids, ie, fish oil (FO) and safflower oil (SO), on the production of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) in hemodialysis patients and the consequent effects on the symptoms of pruritus. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, double-blind study for 2 treatment groups. SETTING: Three Medical Center-affiliated units. PATIENTS: Twenty-two patients on maintenance hemodialysis, of both sexes, age > or = 20 years with complaint of dry and/or itchy skin. INTERVENTION: Two groups of patients receiving daily supplements of 6 g ethyl ester of FO or SO for 16 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid profile, LTB 4 production by PMNLs, and pruritus symptoms at baseline and after supplementation. RESULTS: After supplementation, the FO group had a higher RBC 22:6n3, total n-3 fatty acids, and ratio of total n-3 to total n-6 fatty acids (P < .05) than the SO group. The change in LTB4 production (pg/mL) from baseline to week 16 was 240.7 +/- 200.2 to 29.2 +/- 14.6 in the FO group and from 171.1 +/- 121.7 to 31.9 +/- 14.7 in the SO group. The overall pruritus score change was 16.7 +/- 11.4 to 8.9 +/- 9.2 in the FO group and from 17.5 +/- 8.8 to 13.1 +/- 5.6 in the SO group. FO supplementation did not result in a significant specific effect on LTB4 production by the PMNLs. There was a nonsignificant decrease in the pruritus scores that could be clinically significant and important to patients suffering with this condition. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with FO results in significant incorporation of n-3 fatty acids in the RBCs. Intervention with both FO and SO resulted in a nonsignificant improvement of clinical symptoms of pruritus and a nonsignificant reduction in LTB 4 production by PMNLs in the hemodialysis patients. The percent decrease in total puritus score was greater for the FO group compared with the SO group.     

n-3多不饱和脂肪酸预防同种异体移植血管硬化的作用

目的研究n-3多不饱和脂肪酸预防同种异体移植血管硬化的作用。方法SD和Wistar大鼠各240只,随机配对成240对建立颈总动脉同种异体移植血管模型,并随机平均分成4组,每组60对。对照组:术前、术后未喂食n-3多不饱和脂肪酸;A组:术前2周始喂食n-3多不饱和脂肪酸600mg/kg(以EPA含量计,下同),直至摘取标本;B组:喂食300mg/kg;C组:喂食150mg/kg。分别于术后1、7、14、21和28d摘取受者移植血管,观察移植血管在活体的搏动情况,HE染色光学显微镜下观察移植血管的组织学病理改变,电子显微镜观察移植血管的超微结构变化,免疫组织化学染色检测细胞间黏附分子-1(ICAM-1)、血管细胞黏附分子-1(VCAM-1)和细胞核因子κB(NF-κB)在移植血管的表达。结果对照组术后7d移植血管开始有病理改变,28d时最为明显,管腔已基本堵塞;A组、B组、C组移植血管的病理改变均较对照组迟缓,管腔通畅率优于对照组。对照组ICAM-1,VCAM-1,NF-κB的表达较A组、B组和C组明显增强(P<0.05)。移植术后1d、7dICAM-1、VCAM-1、NF-κB的表达A组、B组、C组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),移植术后14、21和28d的表达C组较A组、B组明显增强(P<0.05),而A组与B组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论n-3多不饱和脂肪酸能够预防同种异体移植血管硬化,表现为移植血管病理改变发生迟缓,管腔通畅率高,ICAM-1,VCAM-1和NF-κB的表达减弱,n-3多不饱和脂肪酸以300mg/kg用量达到的效果最佳。     

n-3 Fatty acids and their role in nephrologic practice

During the past year, a newly reported clinical trial has strengthened the argument for recommending daily treatment with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis in the world) who are at high risk for progression of renal disease. Studies are underway that involve a combination of cyclosporine A, a commonly prescribed immunosuppressive agent in solid-organ transplantation, with a high-potency n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid to reduce cyclosporine toxicity. Two studies reported during the past year show promise that dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids will substantially decrease vascular access graft thrombosis in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis, and may reduce hypercalciuria in patients who suffer from kidney stones.     

Modulation of Kupffer cell membrane phospholipid function by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been reported to improve clinical outcome in a number of inflammatory diseases including burns and sepsis. One mechanism contributing to the anti-inflammatory effect is the incorporation of n-3 PUFAs into membrane phospholipids which decreases macrophage eicosanoid production. We hypothesize that an additional mechanism for their effects is an alteration of membrane signal transduction that decreases macrophage responsiveness to inflammatory stimuli. Kupffer cells, the fixed macrophages of the liver, were obtained from rats pair fed diets for 6 weeks with 15% of calories supplied as menhaden (high n-3), corn (control), or safflower (high n-6) oils. The effects of the dietary oils on Kupffer cell membrane signal transduction and eicosanoid production were assessed by measuring inositol phospholipid (PI) metabolism, intracellular calcium responses, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production to the inflammatory signals endotoxin (LPS) and platelet activating factor (PAF). The menhaden oil diet resulted in significant incorporation of n-3 PUFAs into total cellular PUFAs compared to corn and safflower oil. (total n-3 PUFAs, 28.1% menhaden vs 2.1% corn vs 1.2% safflower, P less than 0.03). This incorporation altered signal transduction of PAF as both PI turnover (65% +/- 10% of corn oil) and calcium response (0.6-fold vs 5.0-fold for corn oil) were significantly reduced in the menhaden oil group. (P less than 0.05) The menhaden oil diet also reduced significantly PGE2 production in response to PAF and LPS (corn, 348 +/- 23 pg/ml; menhaden, 48 +/- 6 pg/ml, P less than 0.01). We conclude that, in addition to modulating eicosanoid production, n-3 PUFAs can also alter macrophage membrane signal transduction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)