Macrophages are central coordinators of innate immune responses and are involved in the inflammatory aspect of many chronic disorders. Marine compounds, such as omega-3 fatty acids or bioactive algae molecules, are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. There is a vast potential for new natural medicines of marine origin, and knowledge on how these affect macrophages is essential for their development. Also, a better understanding of the resulting effects of dietary intake of seafood has potential in the maintenance of inflammatory and oxidative homeostasis and prevention of chronic inflammation.
This chapter gives a qualitative overview of the effects of marine fatty acids, polysaccharides, polyphenols, pigments, peptides, and few other marine compounds with a focus on known modes of action of antioxidative and immunomodulatory effects in macrophages. The relevance of these effects is also discussed in the context of chronic inflammatory diseases, which are important health challenges of our time and in which macrophages are interesting targets for modification by marine compounds.
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