RESEARCH - Fish oil improves disease activity, endothelial function in SLE

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Fish Oil Improves Disease Activity, Endothelial Function in SLE

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jun 18 - Supplementation with fish oil

improves disease activity and endothelial function in patients with

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to a report in the June

issue of the ls of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Previous studies have shown n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in

fish oil to improve endothelial function in diseases associated with

atherosclerosis, the authors explain. Increasing n-3 PUFAs also has a

therapeutic effect in mouse models of SLE.

Dr. A. from Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland

in the UK and colleagues investigated whether supplementation with n-3

PUFAs in patients with SLE would provide a therapeutic effect and

confer vascular protection through improved endothelial function and

reduced oxidative stress.

Supplementation with fish oil for 24 weeks resulted in significant

changes in the platelet membrane fatty acids, the authors report,

decreasing the percentage arachidonic acid and increasing the

percentage docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid.

Disease activity improved significantly in the fish oil group, the

researchers note, though there was no correlation between disease

activity scores and platelet membrane fatty acids or 8-isoprostanes

(which also decreased with supplementation).

Flow-mediated dilation increased and diastolic shear stress

significantly increased in the fish oil group, but not in the placebo

group, the investigators say, but there was no difference between the

groups in endothelium-independent dilation in response to

nitroglycerin.

" This is the first study to show a beneficial effect of low-dose

dietary n-3 PUFAs on vascular function and disease activity in SLE, "

the authors conclude. " Further prospective, long-term, dose-ranging

studies are required to ascertain the role of n-3 PUFAs on

cardiovascular outcomes in patients with SLE. "

Ann Rheum Dis 2008;67:841-848.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/576309

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