In vitro differentiation of human monocytes to macrophages results in depletion of antioxidants and increase in n-3 fatty acids levels

Abstract 

The lipid composition and α-tocopherol content of human monocytes were investigated before and after their differentiation to macrophages. The total lipid and protein content per number of cells increased after the differentiation of monocytes by approximately four-fold; a two-fold increase in docosahexaenoic and docosapentaenoic acids and a two-fold decrease in linoleic acid were also noted. As opposed to an initial monocytic vitamin E content of 4.75 pmol/10⁶ cells, macrophagic vitamin E levels were undetectable. Changes in vitamin E and fatty acids contents in macrophages, with respect to monocytes, appear to reflect the lipid composition of fetal calf serum, that is low in vitamin E and has a proportionally higher docosahexaenoic acid content than adult human serum.

Keywords:  Macrophage, Monocyte, Fatty acid, Antioxidant, Atherosclerosis