Speaker: Kymberly M. Gowdy, MS, PhD

Summary: Inhaled environmental exposures are a substantial public health concern contributing to respiratory morbidity and mortality. Novel therapeutic strategies to limit the adverse health effects of environmental exposures is an unmet clinical need. Evidence supporting a role for diet in the response to air pollution is mounting, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are a critical and potentially protective nutrient whose dietary consumption has declined with industrialization of food production.  A novel paradigm has been proposed linking n-3 PUFA intake and reductions in morbidity attributable to environmental exposures. New evidence brings forth a compelling common mechanism involving cellular lipid metabolism, dietary n-3 PUFA intake, and protection against environmental pollutant induced pulmonary immunity/inflammation. This talk will provide a bench to bedside perspective of the mechanisms by which diet, and specifically N-3 PUFAs, can modulate inflammation in rodent and human models of environmental induced lung injury and inflammation.

RSVP to: lipids@wayne.edu (required only for virtual attendance)