Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipidemia Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Human T Lymphocytes and Salutary Effects of ω- 3 Fatty Acid.

Abstract Type 2 Diabetes conditions are associated with hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia; however, the role of Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA) vs. Unsaturated Fatty Acids (UFA) and high glucose on human T lymphocytes (T cells) is not known. We investigated the salutary effect of the UFA ω-3 fatty acid, α- linolenic acid, on glucose and SFA, palmitic acid, induced activation on T cells as a cause of the inflammatory process with high glucose and SFA foods. These cells in the presence of palmitic acid and/or high glucose but not linolenic acid exhibited a concentration and time-dependent emergence of insulin receptors (INSR), expression, generation of ROS, lipid peroxidation, cytokines and NF-kB p65 translocation to the nucleus. Whereas, activation of the cells by elevated levels of glucose and palmitic acid were additive, addition of linolenic acid in a dose-related manner inhibited activation of cells by glucose and palmitic acid and reduced markers of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and cytokines. We propose that UFAs such as α-linolenic acid may serve as a protective mechanism against the deleterious effects of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia of high sugar and SFA foods as in diabetes.