Research has shown that diet significantly influences the chance of developing chronic inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer. Dietary components modulate the immune system by either promoting or mitigating inflammatory pathways. One such pathway is the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome—a multiprotein complex that is involved in the innate immune response. The NLRP3 inflammasome is triggered by various stimuli including ionic flux, mitochondrial dysfunction, lysosomal damage and ROS. Upon activation through a two-signal process, an immune response is initiated that protects the body against pathogens and cellular stress. In a healthy body, this pathway is closely regulated to maintain homeostasis and prevent excessive inflammation that can result in tissue damage or chronic inflammatory diseases. Several components present in a human diet can activate or inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome. To support a balanced diet, organizations like the WHO have developed dietary recommendations. These promote the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. These foods contain a variety of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, omega-6 fatty acids and natural sugars, which are pro-inflammatory. At the same time, they also supply anti-inflammatory compounds such as monounsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and probiotics. While current literature highlights the NLRP3 inflammasome as a critical regulator of inflammation, it lacks detailed insights into how the specific dietary components of a healthy diet influence its modulation. Therefore, this literature review elucidates the various mechanisms through which these dietary compounds modulate the NLRP3 inflammasome. The significance of maintaining a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory components in the diet is highlighted by its role as a regulator of inflammatory diseases, for example, through mechanisms such as epigenetic pathways.
Heiden et al. (Thu,) studied this question.