Dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake impacts peripheral blood DNA methylation -anti-inflammatory effects and individual variability in a pilot study

Omega-3 or n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are widely studied for health benefits that may relate to anti-inflammatory activity. However, mechanisms mediating an anti-inflammatory response to n-3 PUFA intake are not fully understood. Of interest is the emerging role of fatty acids to impact DNA methylation (DNAm) and thereby modulate mediating inflammatory processes. In this pilot study, we investigated the impact of n-3 PUFA intake on DNAm in inflammation-related signaling pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of women at high risk of breast cancer.