title: A study of evening primrose seed oil in atopic asthma.
abstract: It has shown recently that Evening Primrose Oil (Efamol) produces a significant clinical improvement in atopic eczema. Efamol contains gamma-linolenic acid which is a precursor to PGE1 a more consistent bronchodilator than PGE2. We have conducted a double blind placebo controlled study in atopic asthmatics given Efamol for an eight week period looking at the control of asthma, including histamine challenge tests. We have found no effect on the asthma or challenge tests although Efamol produced an alteration in fatty acid profile. The patients showed an abnormal fatty acid profile. We speculate that such fatty acid abnormalities could be important in the aetiology of asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Medicine, Llandough Hospital, Penarth, South Glamorgan.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ebden
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bevan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fennerty
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Walters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D031665:Oenothera biennis; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D010938:Plant Oils; D011897:Random Allocation; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D010743:Phospholipids; D010938:Plant Oils; C028498:evening primrose oil; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid