Subgroup analysis revealed that increasing dietary ALA tends to elevate CRP concentration  in healthy subjects .
However , the null effect of ALA supplementation on other inflammatory markers was not changed in various subgroups , indicating that the results are stable .
Meta-regression results revealed a negative relationship between the effect size on CRP and its baseline concentration .
No significant publication bias was observed for all inflammatory markers as suggested by funnel plot and Begg ’s test .
Conclusion Our meta- analysis did not find any beneficial effect of ALA supplementation  on reducing inflammatory markers including TNF , IL-6 , CRP , sICAM-1 , and sVCAM-1 .
However , in healthy subjects  , ALA supplementation might increase CRP concentration
Purpose The aim of the current meta- analysis was to investigate the effect of increasing dietary ALA intake on the blood concentration of inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor ( TNF ) , interleukin 6 ( IL-6 ) , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ) , and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 )  in adults .
Lack of effect of foods enriched with plant- or marine-derived n-3 fatty acids on human immune function.
BACKGROUND Greatly increasing dietary flaxseed oil [ rich in the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ( PUFA ) alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) ] or fish oil [ rich in the long-chain n-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic ( DHA ) acids ] can reduce markers of immune cell function . The effects of more modest doses are unclear , and it is not known whether ALA has the same effects as its long-chain derivatives . OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the effects of enriching the diet with ALA or EPA+DHA on immune outcomes representing key functions of human neutrophils , monocytes , and lymphocytes . DESIGN In a placebo-controlled , double-blind , parallel study , 150 healthy men and women aged 25 - 72 y were r and omly assigned to 1 of 5 interventions : placebo ( no additional n-3 PUFAs ) , 4.5 or 9.5 g ALA/d , and 0.77 or 1.7 g EPA+DHA/d for 6 mo . The n-3 PUFAs were provided in 25 g fat spread plus 3 oil capsules . Blood sample s were taken at 0 , 3 , and 6 mo . RESULTS The fatty acid composition of peripheral blood mononuclear cell phospholipids was significantly different in the groups with higher intakes of ALA or EPA+DHA . The interventions did not alter the percentages of neutrophils or monocytes engaged in phagocytosis of Escherichia coli or in phagocytic activity , the percentages of neutrophils or monocytes undergoing oxidative burst in response to E. coli or phorbol ester , the proliferation of lymphocytes in response to a T cell mitogen , the production of numerous cytokines by monocytes and lymphocytes , or the in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity response . CONCLUSION An intake of < or= 9.5 g ALA/d or < or= 1.7 g EPA+DHA/d does not alter the functional activity of neutrophils , monocytes , or lymphocytes , but it changes the fatty acid composition of mononuclear cells
Subgroup analysis revealed that increasing dietary ALA tends to elevate CRP concentration  in healthy subjects .
However , the null effect of ALA supplementation on other inflammatory markers was not changed in various subgroups , indicating that the results are stable .
Meta-regression results revealed a negative relationship between the effect size on CRP and its baseline concentration .
No significant publication bias was observed for all inflammatory markers as suggested by funnel plot and Begg ’s test .
Conclusion Our meta- analysis did not find any beneficial effect of ALA supplementation  on reducing inflammatory markers including TNF , IL-6 , CRP , sICAM-1 , and sVCAM-1 .
However , in healthy subjects  , ALA supplementation might increase CRP concentration
Purpose The aim of the current meta- analysis was to investigate the effect of increasing dietary ALA intake on the blood concentration of inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor ( TNF ) , interleukin 6 ( IL-6 ) , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ) , and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 )  in adults .