THE ROLE OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS IN DETERMINING MONOCYTE AND MACROPHAGE PHENOTYPES IN EXPERIMENTAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily eicosapentaenoate (EPA) and docosahexaenoate (DHA), attenuate chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis. However, fatty fish, the richest dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids, is consumed in low quantities in the U.S. Therefore, we sought to determine whether a botanical oil, echium oil from Echium plantagineum that is enriched in stearidonic acid (SDA; 18:4 n-3), will alter monocyte and macrophage phenotypes in murine models of atherosclerosis. This dissertation addresses the considerable gaps in knowledge regarding the atheroprotective and anti-inflammatory potential of echium oil supplementation. Furthermore, this work helped elucidate the role of omega-3 fatty acids in CVD prevention, and clarify the immunomodulatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Brown, Amanda Lynn

• alternative

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/33459

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/33459