This biological study was set up to access large volumes of human PBMC cells (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells) through blood samples from healthy volunteers. This fundamental research protocol aims to develop cellular assays that will be used in more advanced studies. These assays will be used to test the activity of omega-3 fatty acid derivatives and natural biomolecules on cellular senescence, aging, and inflammation.

Fatty acids are the basic building blocks of fats found in all living organisms. Essential fatty acids are divided into two main subcategories: omega-3 and omega-6. These oils are naturally present almost everywhere in consumer products. They oppose each other in their mechanism of action at the molecular level. It is widely recognized in the scientific literature that omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties as opposed to omega-6s which have mechanisms of action that promote inflammation. Inflammation is the cause of several diseases and directly contributes to the aging of living organisms. Supplementation with omega-3 EPA and DHA, in their most effective form, could act preventively for several diseases as well as slow down cellular aging through constant control of inflammation. SCF Pharma, which specializes in pre-activated omega-3 oils (monoglycerides or MAG), dedicates part of its research program to inflammatory health and aging.

The biological activity of omega-3 fatty acids requires selective oxidation by lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes in the human body to form SPMs (specialized pro-resolving mediators) which are key elements in the cellular anti-inflammatory activities, and which have a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. It has already been demonstrated that the antiproliferative activity of docosapentaenoic acid (or omega-3 ADP) can be increased tenfold when it is pre-metabolized using a LOX enzyme from soy (C. Morin et al. PLEFA (2013) 203-213). This antiproliferative potential could play a key role in the mechanisms of inflammation resolution.

Monoglycerides (MAG-O3) developed by SCF Pharma are a new generation of omega-3 that are believed to be more effective due to their better absorption by the body. Despite their optimization in monoglyceride form, these omega-3 retain their potential to produce SPM following oxidation by LOX. The potential for resolution of inflammation by the MAG-O3/SPM signaling pathway can be measured by cell proliferation assays. To carry out these tests, PBMC cells must be isolated from donor blood and maintained in culture in the presence of an inflammatory agent (LPS) which induces their proliferation (C. Morin et al. European Journal of Pharmacology 807 (2017) 205-211). The reduction in proliferation induced by the MAG-O3/SPM pathway can then be quantified to compare to that of untreated cells. This type of test, as well as other cellular tests of the same nature carried out in the SCF Pharma laboratory, require a large quantity of fresh cells and therefore a continuous supply of blood samples.