title: Effects of oral sea buckthorn oil on tear film Fatty acids in individuals with dry eye.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaporative dry eye is associated with meibomian gland dysfunction and abnormalities of the tear film lipids. Dry eye is known to be affected positively by intake of linoleic and γ-linolenic acids and n-3 fatty acids. Oral sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) (SB) oil, which contains linoleic and α-linolenic acids and antioxidants, has shown beneficial effects on dry eye. The objective was to investigate whether supplementation with SB oil affects the composition of the tear film fatty acids in individuals reporting dry eye.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred participants were randomized to this parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which 86 of them completed. The participants daily consumed 2 g of SB or placebo oil for 3 months. Tear film samples were collected at the beginning, during, and at the end of the intervention and 1 to 2 months later. Tear film fatty acids were analyzed as methyl esters by gas chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no group differences in the changes in fatty acid proportions during the intervention (branched-chain fatty acids: P = 0.49, saturated fatty acids: P = 0.59, monounsaturated fatty acids: P = 0.53, and polyunsaturated fatty acids: P = 0.16).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that the positive effects of SB oil on dry eye are not mediated through direct effects on the tear film fatty acids. Carotenoids and tocopherols in the oil or eicosanoids produced from the fatty acids of the oil may have a positive effect on inflammation and differentiation of the meibomian gland cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Riikka L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Järvinen
authors.forename: Petra S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Larmo
authors.forename: Niko L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Setälä
authors.forename: Baoru
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Janne Rk
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Engblom
authors.forename: Matti H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Viitanen
authors.forename: Heikki P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Kallio
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002214:Capsules; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D031281:Hippophae / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D005227:Fatty Acids; D010938:Plant Oils