title: n-3 Fatty acids and asthma.
abstract: Asthma is one of the most common and prevalent problems worldwide affecting over 300 million individuals. There is some evidence from observational and intervention studies to suggest a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA in inflammatory diseases, specifically asthma. Marine-based n-3 PUFA have therefore been proposed as a possible complementary/alternative therapy for asthma. The proposed anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 fatty acids may be linked to a change in cell membrane composition. This altered membrane composition following n-3 fatty acid supplementation (primarily EPA and DHA) can modify lipid mediator generation via the production of eicosanoids with a reduced inflammatory potential/impact. A recently identified group of lipid mediators derived from EPA including E-series resolvins are proposed to be important in the resolution of inflammation. Reduced inflammation attenuates the severity of asthma including symptoms (dyspnoea) and exerts a bronchodilatory effect. There have been no major health side effects reported with the dietary supplementation of n-3 fatty acids or their mediators; consequently supplementing with n-3 fatty acids is an attractive non-pharmacological intervention which may benefit asthma.
authors.affiliation: 1Translational Chemical Biology Research Group,Human Cellular and Molecular Genetics Research Laboratory,School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences,Loughborough University,Loughborough LE11 3TU,UK.
authors.forename: Aishwarya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: 1Translational Chemical Biology Research Group,Human Cellular and Molecular Genetics Research Laboratory,School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences,Loughborough University,Loughborough LE11 3TU,UK.
authors.forename: Sarabjit S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mastana
authors.affiliation: 1Translational Chemical Biology Research Group,Human Cellular and Molecular Genetics Research Laboratory,School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences,Loughborough University,Loughborough LE11 3TU,UK.
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lindley
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015777:Eicosanoids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation
chemical_list: D015777:Eicosanoids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
keywords: AA; AHR airway hyper-responsiveness; ALA α-linolenic acid; Asthma; COX cyclo-oxygenase; EIB exercise-induced bronchoconstriction; FEV1 forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FeNO fractional exhaled NO; Fish oils; Inflammation; LA linoleic acid; LOX lipoxygenase; LT leukotriene; LX lipoxin; NOS NO synthase; Omega-3 fatty acids; PD protectin; PEF peak expiratory flow; Rv resolvin; arachidonic acid; n-3 Fatty acids