title: Pilot study of the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on exhaled nitric oxide in patients with stable asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The results of epidemiological studies suggest that fish consumption has a beneficial effect on lung function and prevalence of asthma. However, data from intervention trials have not revealed a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation in patients with established disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of short-term n-3 PUFA supplementation in addition to maintenance therapy on exhaled nitric oxide in asthmatic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken in 20 women with asthma. Patients received either a combination of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid plus 10 mg vitamin E or placebo twice daily for 2 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and the secondary outcomes were asthma control (score on theAsthma Control Questionnaire [ACQI) and lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were observed in FeNO, ACQ score, or FEV1 between patients receiving n-3 PUFA supplementation and those receiving placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA in women with stable asthma was not associated with statistically significant changes in FeNO, asthma control, or lung function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. andremoreira@med.up.pt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Padrão
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Castel-Branco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D045853:Exhalation; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D009569:Nitric Oxide