Dietary n-3 fatty acids and arthritis

The potential for dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids in domestic animals

The metabolism and clinical potential for dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) modifications using oil supplements containing n-3 and n-6 fatty acids are reviewed. Their use in such disorders as renal disease, inflammatory and immune-related disorders, and dermatological conditions in dogs and cats is discussed. The influence of n-3 fatty acid-rich rations on the endotoxin response in horses is described. Progress has been made toward understanding the clinical potential for PUFAs in these species. However, they have not yet been shown to be efficacious in any of the conditions investigated.

Single cell oils--have they a biotechnological future?

Although microorganisms have long been known as producers of edible oils, opportunities for their biotechnological exploitation are limited to the highest-value commodities. A recent attempt to develop a yeast oil cocoa-butter equivalent has not succeeded, not because of the inability to produce the correct formulation of fatty acids, but because of the falling price of cocoa butter on the world market. Better prospects appear to exist for producing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of both the n-6 and n-3 series, using either bacteria, fungi or algae. Many microbial PUFA-oils are characterized by the absence of other PUFAs, making purification of individual fatty acids an easier task than it is from other sources. Certain microorganisms may also produce prostaglandin precursors, or even prostaglandins themselves, as well as cerebroside lipids and other unusual lipids that are not normally regarded as being of microbial origin.

The effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double blind trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on disease variables in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

DESIGN

Multicenter, randomized, placebo controlled, double blind.

SETTING

Three Danish hospital Departments of Rheumatology.

PATIENTS

Fifty-one patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.

INTERVENTION

Random allocation to 12 weeks of treatment with either six n-3 PUFA capsules (3.6 g) or six capsules with fat composition as the average Danish diet.

MAIN RESULTS

Significant improvement of morning stiffness and joint tenderness. No significant effect on the four other assessed clinical parameters. No serious side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis improved two out of six patient reported disease parameters. Further studies are needed to clarify the more precise role of n-3 PUFA in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Cod liver oil inhibits indomethacin induced gastropathy without affecting its bioavailability and pharmacological activity

The upper gastrointestinal toxicity is one of the most common side effects associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Many attempts to prepare potent NSAIDs free from gastrotoxicity have failed. Hence, development of formulations to mask the gastropathy of NSAIDs are warranted. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of concomitant use of cod liver oil (CLO) on pharmacological activity and gastropathy of indomethacin in rats. The animals were treated with CLO (5 and 10 ml/kg body weight) along with indomethacin (30 mg/kg, body weight). Blood samples were collected for analysis of indomethacin at 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 24 hours. The anti-inflammatory activity of indomethacin alone and in combination with CLO was studied using carrageenan-induced paw oedema. Our studies related to the effect of these drugs on gastrointestinal tract showed that concurrent use of CLO protects gastric mucosa against indomethacin induced depletion of gastric wall mucus, non protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) levels and gastric lesions. The result of this study also showed that the concurrent use of the CLO does not affect the bioavailability and anti-inflammatory activity of indomethacin while it inhibits the ulcerogenic effect of indomethacin in a dose dependent manner. These findings suggest that NSAIDs formulations containing CLO may reduce gastrotoxicity without affecting their therapeutic efficacy.