N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Bone Metabolism

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3PUFA), have been shown to have beneficial effects on what? The beneficial effects of n-3PUFA, especially EPA on bone metabolism in vitro and in vivo were examined in this study.Osteoblasts are bone forming cells, that produce prostaglandin E2, an endogenous potent bone resorbing factor. To clarify the effects of EPA on bone metabolism, the effects of EPA on MC3T3-E1 cells, osteoblast-like cells were studied. The addition of MC3T3-E1 cells to EPA, but not DHA, caused increased calcium accumulation and Von-Kossa staining. In vivo experiments, the effect of EPA on strength of the femur in ovariectomized and low calcium/vitamin D3 fed rats were studied. EPA abolished the effects of ovariectomy with consequent recovery of the bone strength.Preliminary epidemiology studies indicate EPA ingestion possibly useful for preventing loss of bone weight and strength with aging. These findings and epidemiological studies, demonstrate EPA and marine oil to possibly have beneficial effects for preventing and improving age-related osteoporosis