Beneficial effect of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus and its relationship to the cytokine network.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterised by arthritis, cutaneous rash, vasculitis, and involvement of central nervous system, renal and cardiopulmonary manifestations. Abnormalities in the cytokine network is believed to be involved in the pathobiology of this condition. The n-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can suppress T-cell proliferation and the production of interleukin-1, interleukin-2, and tumor necrosis factor by these cells both in vitro and in vivo. Oral supplementation of EPA and DHA induced prolonged remission of SLE in 10 consecutive patients without any side-effects. These results suggest that n-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are useful in the management of SLE and possibly, other similar collagen vascular diseases.
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Department of Medicine, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Punjagutta, Hyderabad, India.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid