Relationship of gut microbiota, cell integrity, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in inflammation

The gut microbiota is defined as microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. This population is involved in critical functions for host homeostasis, including nutrient digestion and synthesis, cell integrity, immune system development, a barrier against pathogens, and consequently local inflammatory processes. The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between cellular integrity, gut microbiota, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in inflammation. The study consists of a narrative literature review based on scientific articles published in journals indexed in electronic databases. The composition of the microbiota is relatively stable throughout life but can be altered by various factors such as maternal microbiota, age, genetic factors, antibiotic use, lifestyle, and especially diet. It is well known that dietary habits play a crucial role in altering the composition of the microbiota. Certain types of fats, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and n-3 fatty acids, are known to improve symptoms of various diseases, including cardiometabolic and inflammatory diseases. In particular, the changes in the gut microbiota associated with n-3 fatty acids are poorly understood. However, experimental studies suggest that n-3 promotes improvement in gut microbiota and intestinal integrity, in addition to controlling local inflammation.