title: alpha-Linolenic acid and long-chain omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in three patients with omega-3 fatty acid deficiency: effect on lymphocyte function, plasma and red cell lipids, and prostanoid formation.
abstract: alpha-Linolenic acid deficiency is described in three patients. Observed clinical symptoms were hemorrhagic dermatitis, hemorrhagic folliculitis, skin atrophy, and scaly dermatitis. Supplementation with ethyl alpha-linolenate followed by a purified fish oil (EPA-oil) began to normalize symptoms within 10 d. The mitogenic response in isolated lymphocytes was reduced whereas the number of T lymphocytes increased significantly. Serum thromboxanes, urinary excretion of 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (PGI2-M), and bleeding time were unaffected. The results indicate that omega-3 fatty acids are essential for normal accumulation of erythrocyte omega-6 acids. The dietary intake of long-chain omega-3 acids required to obtain midnormal concentrations of omega-3 acids in plasma and erythrocyte lipids was estimated to be 350-400 mg/d (0.4% of calories), whereas the corresponding mean intake of alpha-linolenic acid was 990 mg/d (1.0% of calories). It is suggested that essential fatty acid requirement should be stated as grams or milligrams per day, similarly to other essential nutrients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, Trondheim Regional Hospital, Norway.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bjerve
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wammer
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Egeland
mesh_terms: D003872:Dermatitis / Q000178:diet therapy; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000097:blood; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000097:blood*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000178:diet therapy; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D008055:Lipids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D011453:Prostaglandins; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid