Pro-Resolving Mediators in Acute Inflammation in Humans

The specific aims of this study are based on the hypothesis that in health, natural pro-resolving mechanisms, including specialized pro-resolving mediators and cellular effectors, are generated to promote the resolution of acute inflammation. The specific aims are:

Aim 1. Map the formation of specialized pro-resolving mediators and their relationship to acute tissue inflammation Aim 2. Determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on the formation and action of pro-resolving mediators during acute inflammation.

Medical history and clinical information will be obtained from the participant's health record for study purposes to be sure that participants meet the appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria. The phlebotomy and topical application of the cantharidin, the imaging and clinical assessment and sampling of blister exudates will be performed by Dr. Katherine Walker or Dr. Joseph Merola and clinical study team at Brigham and Women's Hospital in the Building For Transformative Medicine (3rd floor, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA). The biochemical, immunological and histological analyses will be performed in the laboratories of Drs. Bruce Levy and Charles Serhan at BWH in the Building For Transformative Medicine (3rd floor, 60 Fenwood Road).

The intervention protocol will involve simultaneous topical application of 12.5 mcl 0.1% cantharidin to two sites on the volar surface of one forearm. This dose is known to elicit a consistent, safe, localized reaction entailing redness (erythema), mild tenderness and warmth at the site, 2-3 cm in diameter. Subsequently, blister exudative fluid will be removed from each blister site, one during onset phase of inflammation (24 hrs after cantharidin) and the second during resolution phase (72 hrs after cantharidin). The blister exudates will be sampled by piercing the roof of the blister with a sterile needle to collect the exudate at designated time points. The site is disinfected prior to collection of the blister exudate and subsequently protected by a wound dressing after the sample collection step.

The intervention protocol will be performed twice for each participant, under 2 distinct conditions:

• without omega-3 fatty acid supplementation
• with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation: the participant will take 4 capsules (1gram each) of Lovaza daily at 8pm, starting the evening before blister induction and continuing until the second blister fluid has been removed.

This study is a crossover design to evaluate the production of pro-resolving mediators and resolution of experimental inflammation with and without additional omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, and to allow each subject to serve as an internal control by undergoing blister formation in both conditions. In order to reduce the influence of repeated cantharidin blister exposures on the outcome measurements, subjects will be randomized to start with either the Lovaza arm or the non-supplementation arm of the blister protocol.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy adults
• Ages 18-64

Exclusion criteria

• Known acute or chronic infection
• Known acute or chronic disease of any kind
• Known allergy to fish or shellfish
• Use of any prescription medication
• Use of over-the-counter medication except multivitamins
• Use of dietary or herbal supplement except protein supplements
• Women that are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• Any skin disease
• Known immunocompromise, HIV, or Diabetes mellitus
• History of cardiopulmonary disease
• History of upper extremity cellulitis
• Significant allergy of any kind
• Known bleeding diathesis
• History of keloid scar formation
• Forearm tattoo
• Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) during study or within 2 weeks prior to enrollment.