SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2006

10/13/06

Fatty acid effects on asthma

Summary
Background - There has been a tremendous interest in the possible effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in (n-3 PUFA) in health and disease. This interest has extended from initial studies in the cardio protective effects of n-3 PUFA to the more recent investigation of the effects of these agents on immune/inflammatory reactions, including asthma.

Findings - The effects of n-3 PUFA in immune/inflammatory reactions was reviewed by Fritsche of the Univ of Missouri-Columbia. with particular reference to, The major basis for postulating a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA administration in asthma is indirect evidence. That is, n-3 PUFA decrease the formation of cysteinyl leukotrienes, pro-inflammatory mediators thought to play major pathogenic roles in asthma. The formation of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, TNF alpha and interferon is also affected by n-3 PUFA. However, a recent impartial review of randomized clinical trials of n-3 PUFA treatment in asthma concluded that evidence for a beneficial effect was weak at best. Another recent review came to the same conclusion.

Reference
Ann Rev of Nutrition 2006;26:45-73

Editor's Comments
It is understandable why clinicians would be interested in safe agents with anti-inflammatory effects as potential therapy in asthma. Unfortunately, the findings in clinical trials to date have not been encouraging. As a colleague described his blinded trial of a fish oil supplement (rich in n-3 PUFA) in asthma, the patients had "fishy breath but no less asthma."

<-- BACK