Interestingly, an in vitro study using epithelial cells from a resected small intestine from a neonate with NEC demonstrated that treatment with DHA significantly decreased the interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8 and IL-6 compared with controls; AA did not exert an effect on those cells [23]. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and necrotizing enterocolitis.