Eicosapentaenoic acid is associated with the attenuation of dysfunctions of mesenchymal stem cells in the abdominal aortic aneurysm wall

Food Funct. 2022 Jul 18;13(14):7540-7547. doi: 10.1039/d2fo01102f.

Abstract

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease characterized by progressive dilation of the aorta which is reportedly associated with inflammation. Previous studies suggested that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has suppressive effects on AAA development via anti-inflammatory activities. However, relationships between the anti-inflammatory effects and the cells in the AAA wall are poorly understood. In this study, we visualized the distribution of EPA-containing phosphatidylcholine (EPA-PC) in the AAA wall. EPA-PC was not ubiquitously distributed in both animal (hypoperfusion-induced AAA model) and human AAA walls, suggesting the preferential incorporation of EPA into certain cells. In the EPA-PC-high region of both animal and human AAAs, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) marker positive areas were significantly higher than those in the EPA-PC-low region. Matrix metalloproteinase-positive MSCs were significantly lower in the AAA wall of the animal model which was administered EPA-rich fish oil. These data suggest that EPA is associated with the attenuation of MSC dysfunctions, which result in the suppression of AAA development.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta, Abdominal
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal* / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / metabolism

Substances

  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9