Association of fatty acids in serum phospholipids with lung function and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in adults.
BACKGROUND
The dietary intake of certain fatty acids might have an impact on inflammatory processes in the lung and therefore contribute to the development of lung diseases like asthma or COPD.


METHODS
In this study data from a population based cross-sectional study on respiratory health including measurement of fatty acids in serum phospholipids of 593 adults between 20 and 64 years of age were analyzed.


RESULTS
Statistically significant positive associations were found between percentage predicted FEV1 (P = 0.0085) and FVC (P = 0.0267) and docosahexaenoic acid concentration in serum phospholipids in men. Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid content in serum phospholipids was significantly negatively associated with percentage predicted FEV1 (P = 0.0003) and FVC (P = 0.0045) and transformed dose-response slopes (P = 0.0488) in men. Palmitoleic acid was negatively associated with percentage predicted FEV1 (P = 0.0037) and FVC (P = 0.0029) in men. Other fatty acids in serum phospholipids did not consistently affect lung function parameters or bronchial hyperreactivity.


CONCLUSIONS
A high concentration of docosahexaenoic acid in serum phospholipids may have a protective effect on lung function. Because this long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid is almost exclusively derived from marine oils, fish might have a beneficial effect on lung diseases.
Kompauer
Iris
I
Institute of Epidemiology, GSF - National Research Center for Environment and Health, P.O. Box 1129, 85758, Neuherberg, Germany. iriskompauer@rps.bwl.de
Demmelmair
Hans
H
Koletzko
Berthold
B
Bolte
Gabriele
G
Linseisen
Jakob
J
Heinrich
Joachim
J
D000328:Adult; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012737:Sex Factors
D005227:Fatty Acids; D010743:Phospholipids