title: The effect of gamma-linolenic acid, an in vitro cytostatic substance contained in evening primrose oil, on primary liver cancer. A double-blind placebo controlled trial.
abstract: The cytostatic effects of essential fatty acid metabolic intermediates and of some prostaglandins and leukotrienes in vitro have been extensively documented. The essential fatty acids (EFAs) exhibit no side-effects when taken as a dietary supplement, even in large doses. Primary Liver Cancer (PLC) is a fatal disease in our area as it is always multifocal in nature. In vitro studies have shown a cytostatic effect of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) on primary liver cancer cells. In a double-blind placebo controlled trial, using Evening Primrose Oil (as a source of GLA) as a dietary supplement in PLC patients, no statistically significant effect was observed on survival time or liver size. There was however a statistical significant beneficial effect on Gamma Glutamyl transferase values as a measure of liver function. No side-effects were observed. The large size of tumour and the low doses of GLA used in this trial probably explain the lack of significant effect on survival times.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Southern Africa, Department of Internal Medicine.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: van der Merwe
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Booyens
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Joubert
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: van der Merwe
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D031665:Oenothera biennis; D010938:Plant Oils; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; C028498:evening primrose oil; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid