Effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids compared with n-6 fatty acids on bronchial asthma.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of perilla seed oil (n-3 fatty acids) on bronchial asthma were compared with the effects of corn oil (n-6 fatty acids) in relation to the pulmonary function and the generation of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and C4 (LTC4) by leucocytes.


METHODS
14 asthmatic subjects were divided randomly into two groups: one group (7 subjects) consumed perilla seed oil-rich supplementation and the other group (7 subjects) consumed corn oil-rich supplementation for 4 weeks. Generation of LTs by leucocytes and respiratory function were compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
The generation of LTB4 and LTC4 by leucocytes tended to increase in subjects (N=7) with corn oil-rich supplementation, and decrease in subjects (N=7) with perilla seed oil-rich supplementation. Significant differences between the two groups were observed in the generation of LTB4 at 2 weeks (p<0.05) and LTC4 at 2 weeks (p<0.05) after dietary supplementation. Significant increases in the value of PEF (p<0.05), FVC (p<0.01), FEV(1.0) (p<0.05) and V(25) (p<0.05) were found in subjects who received perilla seed oil supplementation for 4 weeks. And significant differences in the value of FVC (p<0.05) and FEV(1.0) (p<0.05) were observed between the two groups after 4 weeks of dietary supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that perilla seed oil-rich supplementation is useful for the treatment of asthma in terms of suppression of LTB4 and LTC4 generation by leucocytes, and improvement of pulmonary function.
Okamoto
M
M
Department of Medicine, Misasa Medical Branch, Okayama University Medical School, Tohaku-gun, Tottori.
Mitsunobu
F
F
Ashida
K
K
Mifune
T
T
Hosaki
Y
Y
Tsugeno
H
H
Harada
S
S
Tanizaki
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003314:Corn Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000097:blood; D017997:Leukotriene C4 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage
D015415:Biomarkers; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010938:Plant Oils; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D007975:Leukotriene B4; D017997:Leukotriene C4; C058216:perilla seed oil; D003314:Corn Oil