gamma-linolenic-acid and Lupus-Erythematosus--Systemic

The effects of dietary fatty acid supplementation on various disease parameters in the spontaneously autoimmune MRL-mp-lpr/lpr mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus before onset of disease were investigated. A fat deficient diet was supplemented with the following oils: olive oil, sunflower oil, evening primrose oil (EPO), fish oil, and a fish oil/EPO mixture. The mice receiving a diet enriched with EPO showed an increase in survival, as did those receiving the fish oil/EPO mixture. These results, taken together with those of the other parameters monitored, suggest that EPO may be of benefit in alleviating the murine form of the disease.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Antinuclear; DNA; Fatty Acids, Essential; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; Fish Oils; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Linoleic Acids; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Oenothera biennis; Oils; Olive Oil; Plant Oils; Rheumatoid Factor; Sunflower Oil