docosapentaenoic-acid and Asthma

Dietary supplementation with botanical oils that contain n-6 and n-3 eighteen carbon chain (18C)-PUFA such as γ linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n-6), stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4n-3) and α linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) have been shown to impact PUFA metabolism, alter inflammatory processes including arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and improve inflammatory disorders.. The diet of mild asthmatics patients was supplemented for three weeks with varying doses of two botanical seed oils (borage oil [Borago officinalis, BO] and echium seed oil [Echium plantagineum; EO]) that contain SDA, ALA and GLA. A three week wash out period followed. The impact of these dietary manipulations was evaluated for several biochemical endpoints, including in vivo PUFA metabolism and ex vivo leukotriene generation from stimulated leukocytes.. Supplementation with several EO/BO combinations increased circulating 20-22 carbon (20-22C) PUFAs, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and dihommo-gammalinolenic acid (DGLA), which have been shown to inhibit AA metabolism and inflammation without impacting circulating AA levels. BO/EO combinations also inhibited ex vivo leukotriene generation with some combinations attenuating cysteinyl leukotriene generation in stimulated basophils by >50% and in stimulated neutrophils by >35%.. This study shows that dietary supplementation with BO/EO alters 20-22C PUFA levels and attenuates leukotriene production in a manner consistent with a reduction in inflammation.

Topics: 8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid; Adolescent; Adult; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Asthma; Cells, Cultured; Dietary Supplements; Echium; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Inflammation; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Leukotrienes; Male; Middle Aged; Plant Oils; Seeds

Exposure to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in early life is hypothesized to offer protection against atopic disease. However, there is controversy in this area, and we have previously observed that high levels of n-3 fatty acid (FA) in colostrum are associated with increased risk of allergic sensitization.. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between FA profile in breast milk and risk of childhood atopic disease.. A high-risk birth cohort was recruited, and a total of 224 mothers provided a sample of colostrum (n=194) and/or 3-month expressed breast milk (n=118). FA concentrations were determined by gas chromatography. Presence of eczema, asthma and rhinitis were prospectively documented up to 7 years of age.. High levels of n-3 22:5 FA (docosapentaenoic acid, DPA) in colostrum were associated with increased risk of infantile atopic eczema [odds ratio (OR)=1.66 per 1 standard deviation increase, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.11-2.48], while total n-3 concentration in breast milk was associated with increased risk of non-atopic eczema (OR=1.60, 95% CI=1.03-2.50). Higher levels of total n-6 FA in colostrum were associated with increased risk of childhood rhinitis (OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.12-2.25). There was no evidence of associations between FA profile and risk of asthma.. In this cohort of high-risk children, a number of modest associations were observed between FA concentrations in colostrum and breast milk and allergic disease outcomes. Further research in this area with larger sample sizes is needed.

Topics: Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Colostrum; Dermatitis, Atopic; Eczema; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids, Omega-6; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Milk, Human; Pregnancy; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Risk Factors; Sex Factors