gamma-linolenic-acid and Pain

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Breast Diseases; Bromocriptine; Danazol; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Hormone Antagonists; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Pain Measurement; Phytotherapy; Plant Oils

Breast pain is a common, often distressing problem among women. After significant disease is ruled out, most patients respond to simple reassurance. Others, however, require treatment because symptoms interfere with their lifestyle. The authors offer practical suggestions for tailoring treatment for these patients according to type of pain--cyclical mastalgia, non-cyclical mastalgia, or chest wall pain.

Topics: Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Bromocriptine; Danazol; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Hormone Antagonists; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Plant Oils; Risk Factors; Tamoxifen

The most important factors in the evaluation and treatment of breast pain consist of a thorough history, physical, and radiologic evaluation. These can be used to reassure the patient that she does not have breast cancer. In the 15% of mastalgia patients who have life-altering pain and still request treatment, therapy may consist of a well-fitting bra, a decrease in dietary fat intake, and discontinuance of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. Those women still resistant to therapy may experience relief from evening primrose oil supplements, bromocriptine, tamoxifen, or GnRH analogues. Predicting which treatment will be most useful for any particular woman may be challenging. No differences in success rates were found to be associated with factors such as reproductive history, presenting complaint, personal or family history of breast disease, or subsequent need for breast surgery. The peak (but not basal) serum prolactin levels in response to thyrotropin releasing hormone stimulus has been predictive of success for hormonal treatment but is relatively invasive. A survey of treatments actually used was obtained from 276 consultant surgeons in Britain in 1990. Of those, 75% prescribed danazol. Others used analgesia (21%), diuretics (18%), local excision (18%), bromocriptine (15%), evening primrose oil (13%), tamoxifen (9%), a well-fitting bra (3%), and no treatment (10%). Breast specialists were more likely to begin treatment with primrose oil, tamoxifen, vitamin B6, and analgesia, reserving other hormonal therapies for more difficult cases. To further evaluate the women who have severe mastalgia but do not complete treatment regimens, a questionnaire was sent to 79 patients who failed to return to the Longmore Breast Unit of Western General Hospital, Edinburgh. Seventy-one women responded. Of these, 36 said they felt better, 19 said they felt no more could be done, 18 learned to live with it, 14 were not worried even if the pain recurred, 2 were pregnant, 10 were postmenopausal, and 5 were still taking the medications previously prescribed. The prognosis for women with breast pain is not always predictable. Women with cyclic breast pain often are relieved by events that alter their hormonal milieu, whereas noncyclic breast pain may last only 1 to 2 years. Sitruk-Ware and colleagues conducted a study of French women with fibroadenomas. They found an association between fibroadenomas and cyclic mastalgia occurring more than 1 year prior to th

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Breast Diseases; Bromocriptine; Diet; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Pain Management; Plant Oils; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Tamoxifen; Treatment Outcome

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has recently been found to be beneficial in the management of breast pain and of diabetic neuropathy. GLA is a precursor of unsaturated fatty acids which are important in membrane structures, as second messengers in their own right and as precursors of eicosanoids. While the mechanisms of GLA action are likely to be complex, non-eicosanoid effects are probably of substantial importance. These effects include modification of membrane fluidity and of the functions of lipid-associated receptors and changes in the inositol cycle.

Topics: Breast Diseases; Diabetic Neuropathies; Drug Evaluation; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Linolenic Acids; Male; Membrane Fluidity; Models, Biological; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Plant Oils; Receptors, Cell Surface; Second Messenger Systems

A randomized, multicenter, controlled double-blind trial was performed in women with cyclic breast pain (mastalgia) associated with fibrocystic breast changes (FBCs) to determine whether a nutritional formula reduced breast pain and/or nodularity.. Women were randomized to receive a specifically designed liquid formulation (n = 93) (1 g gamma-linolenic acid [GLA], 750 μg iodine, and 70 μg selenium) or control formula (n = 95) (without GLA, iodine, and selenium) daily for three cycles. Women recorded breast pain, medications, and menstrual signs daily using interactive voice-response system. Nodularity was determined by physical breast examination.. Breast pain scores decreased similarly in the experimental (-32.2%) and control (-33.1%) groups (p = 0.64). Nodularity was reduced in the experimental, but not the control group (p = 0.03). Among women who continued pain medication, the amount was reduced in the experimental group relative to controls (p = 0.02).. Women with FBC using the formula containing GLA, iodine, and selenium experienced reduced nodularity and in those women who took over-the-counter breast pain medication, a decrease in the quantity of pain medication was observed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Breast; Breast Diseases; Double-Blind Method; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Iodine; Mastodynia; Menstrual Cycle; Middle Aged; Pain; Pain Measurement; Prospective Studies; Selenium; Treatment Outcome

To evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin E, evening primrose oil (EPO), and the combination of vitamin E and EPO for pain control in women with cyclical mastalgia.. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at two U.S. academic medical centers. Eighty-five women with premenstrual cyclical breast discomfort were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four six-month oral treatments: vitamin E (1,200 IU per day), EPO (3,000 mg per day), vitamin E (1,200 IU per day) plus EPO (3,000 mg per day), or double placebo. The primary outcome measure was change in breast pain, measured by the modified McGill Pain Questionnaire at enrollment and at six months.. Forty-one patients completed the study. Intent-to-treat analysis (pretesting and post testing) showed a difference in worst-pain improvement with the treatments EPO (p=0.005), vitamin E (p=0.04), and EPO plus vitamin E (p=0.05), but no difference with placebo (p=0.93). Results from two-sample t-test showed a nonsignificant decrease in cyclical mastalgia individually for the three treatment groups compared with the placebo group (EPO, p=0.18; vitamin E, p=0.10; and EPO plus vitamin E, p=0.16). The data were also analyzed with the separation test by Aickin, which showed a trend toward a reduction of cyclical mastalgia with vitamin E and EPO individually and in combination.. Daily doses of 1,200 IU vitamin E, 3,000 mg EPO, or vitamin E and EPO in combination at these same dosages taken for six months may decrease the severity of cyclical mastalgia.

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; Breast Diseases; Chi-Square Distribution; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Middle Aged; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Pain Measurement; Pilot Projects; Placebos; Plant Oils; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin E; Young Adult

To compare oil of evening primrose (OEP) and topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) with respect to safety, effectiveness, rapidity of response, cost effectiveness and acceptability in the treatment of breast pain.. An open, non-randomised, comparative study of topical (NSAI) gel versus OEP was carried out, over a period of one year.. Fifty female patients attending the outpatient department with moderate to severe breast pain were given one of the two agents alternatively, after selection.. Results showed that out of 25 patients treated with OEP, 64% had a clinically significant response after three months of treatment, compared with 92% with topical NSAIDs. Only one patient (4%) had side effects with OEP, while no patient had side effects with topical NSAIDs. Twenty per cent and seventy per cent showed acceptability as far as costs were concerned and mode of administration respectively, with OEP. The acceptability rate was 68% and 96% respectively, with topical NSAIDs.. This study has shown topical NSAIDs to be safe, effective, rapid and acceptable mode of treatment for cyclical and non-cyclical mastalgia.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adult; Analgesics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Breast Diseases; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Middle Aged; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Plant Oils; Treatment Outcome

To investigate in a double-blind placebo-controlled, parallel group study, the effects of a nutrient supplement, containing, among other ingredients, the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (1.4 g EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (0.211 g DHA), omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (0.5 g GLA) and micronutrients in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).. RA patients were randomized to receive either daily liquid nutrient supplementation or placebo for 4 months. The primary end point was the change in tender joint count at 2 and 4 months. Other clinical variables included swollen joint count, visual analogue scales for pain and disease activity, grip strength, functionality score and morning stiffness. Biochemical parameters included plasma concentrations of PUFA and vitamins C and E.. Outpatient university clinic.. In all, 66 patients enrolled, 55 completed the study. No significant change from baseline in tender joint count or any of the other clinical parameters was detected in either group. Patients receiving nutrient supplementation, but not those receiving placebo, had significant increases in plasma concentrations of vitamin E (P=0.015), and EPA, DHA and docosapentaenoic acid concomitant with decreases of arachidonic acid (P=0.01). Intergroup differences for PUFA and vitamin E were significantly different (P=0.01 and 0.03, respectively).. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study in RA patients did not show superior clinical benefit of daily nutrient supplementation with EPA, GLA and micronutrients at the doses tested as compared to placebo. The study adds information regarding doses of omega-3 fatty acids, below which anti-inflammatory effects in RA are not seen.

Topics: Antioxidants; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Supplements; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Double-Blind Method; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids, Omega-6; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Hand Strength; Humans; Male; Micronutrients; Middle Aged; Pain; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin E

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of evening primrose oil and fish oil on breast pain in premenopausal women with severe chronic mastalgia, in a randomized double-blind factorial clinical trial.. One hundred twenty women were placed randomly into four groups: (1) fish oil and control oil, (2) evening primrose oil and control oil, (3) fish and evening primrose oils, or (4) both control oils during 6 months. Corn oil and corn oil with wheat germ oil were used as control oils. The change in the percentage of days with breast pain after 6 months of treatment was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis.. The decrease in days with pain was 12.3 % for evening primrose oil and 13.8% for its control oil (P =.73); the decrease in days with pain was 15.5% for fish oil and 10.6% for its control oil (P =.28).. All groups showed a decrease in pain. Neither evening primrose oil nor fish oil offered clear benefit over control oils in the treatment of mastalgia.

Topics: Adult; Breast; Chronic Disease; Corn Oil; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Fish Oils; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Pain Measurement; Palliative Care; Plant Oils; Treatment Outcome

Breast pain (mastalgia) and macroscopic breast cysts present commonly. Mastalgia may be improved by dietary manipulation to reduce saturated fat or supplement essential fatty acid intake. Fatty acid profiles were measured in women with mastalgia and breast cysts, before and during treatment with evening primrose oil, a rich source of essential fatty acids. The fatty acid profiles of both groups of patients were abnormal, with increased proportions of saturated fatty acids and reduced proportions of essential fatty acids. Treatment with evening primrose oil improved the fatty acid profiles towards normal, but this was not necessarily associated with a clinical response.

Topics: Breast Diseases; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Fibrocystic Breast Disease; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Hypolipidemic Agents; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Plant Oils; Recurrence

Management of the patient with mastalgia who fails to respond to first line therapy is a difficult problem and there is a group of patients who do not respond to any therapy. A group of 126 patients with mastalgia who failed to respond to first line therapy and completed further treatment options was studied. The response rate of those with cyclical mastalgia fell to 57 and 25 per cent for second and third line therapy respectively. Equivalent figures for non-cyclical mastalgia were 24 and 21 per cent. Danazol maintains a high response rate after the failure of other drugs, whereas the second line response to bromocriptine and evening primrose oil is poor. Unresponsive patients were matched to a group of patients who responded to first line therapy, and reproductive and historical factors were compared using the chi 2 test, but failed to identify which patients would respond to therapy.

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Breast Diseases; Bromocriptine; Danazol; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Periodicity; Plant Oils; Time Factors

Results of randomised trials and open studies in 291 patients with severe persistent breast pain in whom breast cancer had been excluded showed that drug therapy produced a good or useful result in 77% of those with cyclical mastalgia and 44% of those with non-cyclical mastalgia. In patients with cyclical mastalgia good or useful responses were obtained with danazol in 70%, with bromocriptine in 47%, and with evening-primrose oil in 45%. The equivalent response rates in patients with non-cyclical mastalgia were 31%, 20%, and 27% respectively. Progestagens were not effective in either group. Failure to respond to one drug did not preclude response to a different drug. Patients with Tietze's syndrome did not respond to drug therapy, but 7 out of 10 responded to injection of lignocaine and hydrocortisone around the affected costochondral junction.

Topics: Breast; Bromocriptine; Clinical Trials as Topic; Danazol; Dydrogesterone; Fatty Acids, Essential; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Periodicity; Plant Oils; Random Allocation; Tietze's Syndrome

Haplophyllum tuberculatum is used in traditional medicine to treat many disorders including inflammation and pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the organic extracts from H. tuberculatum leaves against inflammation, gastric ulcer and pain.. Acute toxicity was studied in vivo to determine the toxic doses of the organic extracts. Anti-inflammatory activity was also evaluated in vivo using carrageenan-induced paw edema in Wistar rats. Gastroprotective activity was tested using the HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer test in rats. Peripheral and central analgesic activities were assessed using the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the hot-plate method, respectively. The chemical composition of the fatty acids in the petroleum ether (PE) extract was determined with GC-MS.. At 25, 50 and 100mg/kg PE extract was the most active against inflammation. Percentages inhibition 5h after carrageenan-injection were 51.12; 86.71% and 96.92%, respectively. The same extract at 100mg/kg showed good analgesic activities using the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the hot-plate method. The chloroform, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanolic (n-BuOH) extracts exhibited strong anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and analgesic activities at 100mg/kg. The GC-FID analysis revealed that the PE extract was rich in γ-linolenic acid (45.50%) followed by palmitic acid (18.48%), linoleic acid (10.73%), erucic acid (4.72), stearic acid (3.96%) and oleic acid (2.57%).. The results of the present study support the traditional use of the leaves of H. tuberculatum and may possibly serve as prospective material for further development of safe new phytochemical anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and/or analgesic agents.

Topics: Acetic Acid; Alkanes; Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Anti-Ulcer Agents; Carrageenan; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Edema; Ethanol; Fatty Acids; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Hot Temperature; Hydrochloric Acid; Lethal Dose 50; Male; Mice; Pain; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Plants, Medicinal; Rats, Wistar; Rutaceae; Solvents; Stomach Ulcer

In most Western countries gamolenic acid is the first-line treatment for women with cyclical mastalgia.. A prospective study was carried out in the breast referral clinic of the Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong to evaluate the treatment of cyclical mastalgia using gamolenic acid provided in evening primrose oil (Efamast, Scotia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Scotia House, Stirling, Scotland) as a pioneer experience in Asia. In addition, the features of cyclical mastalgia in Oriental women were studied by conducting a survey using anonymous questionnaires.. Sixty-six women with disturbing cyclical mastalgia seen by one breast surgeon were followed up with a breast pain diary. Thirty-four women had persistently disturbing mastalgia and were commenced on Efamast. Responses were measured at 3 and 6 months according to a standardized protocol. An overall useful response rate of 97% was observed at 6 months. Side-effects were found in 12% but all were insignificant.. Efamast may be recommended as a first-line specific treatment for Oriental women with disturbing cyclical mastalgia.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Asian People; Breast Diseases; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Hong Kong; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Middle Aged; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Periodicity; Plant Oils; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Breast Diseases; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Magnoliopsida; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Pain Management; Phytotherapy; Plant Oils

Topics: Breast Diseases; Bromocriptine; Danazol; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Menstruation Disturbances; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Plant Oils; Pyridoxine; Treatment Outcome

Mastalgia is a common but often poorly understood condition with little Australian data available on the subject. Details are presented of 170 patients who have attended a specific mastalgia clinic at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, over a 3 year period. The aims and management protocol of the clinic are outlined. The mastalgia sufferer in this study had an average age of 42 years and 87% were multiparous. Cyclical pain occurred in 59% as determined by a daily pain record chart. Unilateral pain occurred in 38%. Lack of previous breast feeding and low levels of regular physical exercise were identified as two significant factors in the history of those attending the clinic. The responses to treatments are outlined. Response rates of 18 and 26% to two commonly used 'natural products', Vitamin B6 and Evening Primrose Oil, respectively, are considered little better than placebo effect. A complete response was achieved in 67% of women who took low dose danazol with minimal side effects. The overall response rate to all treatments was 65% with a mean follow up of 15.5 months for those women who continued to attend the clinic. For women with mastalgia, a systematic approach can achieve relief of pain.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Breast Diseases; Danazol; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Pain Management; Pain Measurement; Parity; Plant Oils; Progesterone; Pyridoxine; Tamoxifen; Treatment Outcome

This paper describes a retrospective study of the clinical aspects and treatment of 566 women with cyclical breast pain over a seven-year period. Figures for the effectiveness of simple treatments including some homeopathic drugs are reported. The article concludes that reassurance is the fundamental treatment. Good responses are obtained from simple and safe drugs (oil of evening primrose, vitamin B6) with minimal side-effects. The use of stronger hormone drugs such as tamoxifen and danazol was only necessary in a small proportion of patients and resulted in a higher incidence of side-effects.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Breast Diseases; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Homeopathy; Hormones; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Middle Aged; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Periodicity; Plant Oils; Pyridoxine; Retrospective Studies

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Breast Diseases; Bromocriptine; Danazol; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Goserelin; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Periodicity; Plant Oils; Premenstrual Syndrome; Tamoxifen

Mastalgia commonly presents to medical practitioners. The majority of patients can be managed by exclusion of cancer and reassurance. In some the severity of pain affects the quality of life and drug treatment should be considered. Since its inception 324 patients with cyclical mastalgia and 90 with non-cyclical mastalgia have received a therapeutic trial of drug treatment in the Cardiff Mastalgia Clinic. Overall 92% of those with cyclical mastalgia and 64% with non-cyclical mastalgia obtained a clinically useful response to therapy. Danazol was the most effective drug, with bromocriptine and evening primrose oil having equivalent efficacy. Many fewer adverse events were complained of by patients treated with evening primrose oil than danazol or bromocriptine.

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Breast Diseases; Bromocriptine; Danazol; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Periodicity; Plant Oils; Treatment Outcome

Mild breast pain and nodularity are common and may be considered normal. Only when symptoms are severe enough to affect the patient's lifestyle should drug treatment be considered. Using danazol, bromocriptine or evening primrose oil a clinically useful improvement in pain can be anticipated in 77% of patients with cyclical mastalgia and 44% with non-cyclical mastalgia. Benign nodularity should not be biopsied surgically as it is unnecessary and makes subsequent assessment of the breast difficult.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Breast Diseases; Bromocriptine; Buserelin; Danazol; Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Goserelin; Humans; Hypolipidemic Agents; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Plant Oils; Tamoxifen

Topics: Albuterol; Asthma; Bacterial Infections; Breast Diseases; Carboprost; Cefixime; Cefotaxime; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Plant Oils; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Pregnancy; Salmeterol Xinafoate

The effects of 10 ml of evening primrose oil or olive oil, administered twice daily for 12 weeks, on clinical and laboratory signs and on plasma prostaglandins were studied in 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The plasma concentration of PGE2 decreased and that of TxB2 increased in both treatment groups, but no significant improvement could be seen in either group.

Topics: Adult; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Male; Middle Aged; Oenothera biennis; Olive Oil; Osmolar Concentration; Pain; Plant Oils; Prostaglandins

Hyperalgesic actions in rats of intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) administered arachidonic acid, prostaglandin (PG) E2 and PG F2 alpha were studied. For the analgesic assay, vocalization induced by repetitive electrical stimulation was employed. Administered i.c.v., arachidonic acid (0.1-30 micrograms/rat), PG E2 (0.001-0.3 micrograms/rat) and PG F2 alpha (0.01-3 micrograms/rat) potentiated the vocalization, in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal potentiating doses of arachidonic acid, PG E2 and PG F2 alpha were 10 micrograms/rat, 0.1 microgram/rat and 1 microgram/rat, respectively. Indomethacin and diclofenac produced much more potent analgesic effects in arachidonic acid-induced hyperalgesic rats than in normal rats and in PG E2- and PG F2 alpha-induced hyperalgesic rats, but aminopyrine, acetaminophen and morphine produced the same analgesic effect in both hyperalgesic and normal rats. Linoleic acid, linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid also induced a weak hyperalgesia, whereas indomethacin (4 mg/kg) failed to attenuate the vocalization in these unsaturated fatty acids-induced hyperalgesic rats. These findings indicate that the hyperalgesic actions of arachidonic acid and its metabolites are related to mediation or modulation of the central pain pathways, and the pain-relieving properties of acidic nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be, at least in part, involved in central site.

Topics: alpha-Linolenic Acid; Analgesics; Animals; Arachidonic Acid; Arachidonic Acids; Dinoprost; Dinoprostone; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Injections, Intraventricular; Linoleic Acid; Linoleic Acids; Linolenic Acids; Male; Pain; Prostaglandins E; Prostaglandins F; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Time Factors