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Antichlamydial activity of polyunsaturated fatty acids
Project
Project code: AZ II-1 F41.2009.05
Contract period: 01.05.2009
- 30.04.2011
Budget: 76,174 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Chlamydiae are the causative agent of various human and animal infections, leading to considerable morbidity and high social – economic costs. Nevertheless, despite strong scientific efforts, current options for therapy and prevention are limited. Immunomodulating porperties of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have produced strong interest during the last decades, with a focus on the differential actions of n-3- and n-6-PUFA. While n-6-compounds are considered largely pro-inflammatory, n-3-PUFA ameliorate immune reactions. Recent studies of several groups describe contrary effects of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA, a special group of PUFA) and chlamydiae on mammalian cells, which suggest an antichlamydial acitivity of PUFA. Indeed, our preliminary experiments revealed decreased infection of Hela cells by chlamydiae in the presence of CLA. Extending this, the project proposed here, shall investigate the antichlamydial action of various PUFA and their potential value as functional food or animal feed.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal health
- Animal nutrition