Air Pollutants: Omega-3 and Vitamin E Together Reduce Damage in Mice

The combination of omega-3 supplements and Vitamin E may protect against cardiovascular damage caused by certain air pollutants. A study on laboratory mice showed that these two nutrients can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress caused by breathing in fine particulate matter pollutants, known as PM_2.5. The combined administration of Vitamin E and omega-3 supplements was more effective than individual molecules alone, demonstrating an additive beneficial effect against pollutant-induced damage.

These are the key findings of a study conducted by researchers from Jiao Tong School of Medicine in Shanghai (China), published in the journal Chemosphere.

The Effects of Air Pollution Can Also Be Combated with Nutrients

Numerous studies have shown that air pollution can damage both the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In particular, scientific work has confirmed the association between fine particulate matter PM_2.5 and increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Fine (or ultrafine) particles are small pollutant particles of different nature and origin present in the air.

Among these, PM_2.5, named because they have a diameter smaller than 2.5 microns, can be inhaled and penetrate deep into the respiratory system, reaching the bronchi and possibly blood vessels. These particles are considered the most harmful air pollutant; a recent study reported that environmental exposure to PM_2.5 can independently trigger acute systemic inflammatory responses. Although the mechanism linking fine particles and cardiopulmonary diseases is not clear, some studies have shown that inflammatory response and oxidative stress may be responsible for the damage caused.

Oxidative stress is caused both by the production of reactive oxygen species and by the decrease of antioxidant activity molecules, resulting in damage to cellular components such as DNA and proteins. The association between PM_2.5 and pulmonary, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, and heart diseases, including ischemia and myocardial infarction, has been the subject of extensive epidemiological and experimental studies, prompting governments and researchers in recent years to study effective measures to protect public health.

Can Proper Antioxidant Intake Limit Pollution Damage?

Previous studies found that vitamin E consumed through diet can improve antioxidant metabolism and reduce lipid oxidation typical of oxidative stress, highlighting the key role of a proper diet in helping to protect individuals from external pathogens.

In this regard, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories represent probable strategies to block the harmful effects induced by exposure to air pollution. Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids are among the healthiest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules for humans. Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their ability to reduce inflammatory reactions by modifying the lipid content of membranes, while vitamin E has been shown to effectively decrease oxidative damage signaling molecules and improve antioxidant defenses.

The Combined Action of Omega-3 and Vitamin E Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Although several intervention studies on humans have indicated that omega-3 and antioxidants can reduce damage caused by air pollution, their protective function has not yet been clarified. For this reason, the Chinese study investigated the combined effect of vitamin E and omega-3 treatment on cardiovascular damage caused by fine particulate matter, and simultaneously studied the optimal combination of the two molecules. The research was conducted on laboratory mice exposed to PM_2.5 and administered different doses of vitamin E and omega-3, both individually and combined.

After treatments, analyses of the animals’ cells showed that the combination of omega-3 and vitamin E supplements increased antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced ROS, the molecules responsible for oxidative damage, as well as inflammatory molecules. Finally, cell membranes were less damaged in mice that consumed both nutrients, showing reduced endothelial lesions—the tissue lining the inside of blood vessels. Moreover, the action of omega-3 and vitamin E proved more effective than that of the molecules administered separately.

Some Details of the Study

During the research, laboratory mice were divided into four groups: one received supplements with different doses of vitamin E, another was treated with varying doses of omega-3; a third group received a combination of vitamin E and omega-3 in various doses (low, medium, and high), and finally a control group received no supplements. All animals underwent treatment for 14 days before being exposed to pollutant particles. The analysis results showed that, compared to severe lesions found in rats exposed only to PM_2.5 without supplementation, the pre-treated mice developed less damage to cardiac tissue. In particular, treatment with vitamin E or omega-3 alone induced a significant reduction in inflammatory molecules and increased antioxidant activity. These effects were greater in animals that received the combined nutrients. Moreover, the protective effects of vitamin E and omega-3 demonstrated a dose-dependent response.

Further Studies Needed to Confirm Effects in Humans

The supplementation with vitamin E and omega-3 proved to be a powerful combination against air pollution-induced cardiovascular injuries in rats, suggesting that vitamin E and omega-3 are capable of limiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response caused by PM_2.5, producing more effective effects than each nutrient alone. According to the researchers, these results suggest a protective effect against environmental pollutant-induced injuries through proper dietary intake of nutrients.

These observations need to be further investigated as the authors themselves admit that, although the nutrient doses were strictly calculated based on human food intake and absorption rates, the modes of nutrient administration were not fully representative of human food consumption.

Source: Xihao Du, Shuo Jiang et al. “Combined effects of vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids on protecting ambient PM2.5-induced cardiovascular injury in rats”, Chemosphere.