Positive Health Online

Abstract

OKAMOTO and colleagues, Department of Medicine, Misasa Medical Branch, Okayama University Medical School, Tohaku-gun, Tottori Japan compared the effects of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on bronchial asthma.

Background

Methodology

The authors measured the effects of perilla seed oil (n-3) and corn oil (n-6) in relation to pulmonary function and generation of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and C4 (LTC4) by leukocytes. 14 patients with asthma were randomized into one of two groups: 1) 7 patients consumed perilla seed oil-rich supplementation; and 2) 7 subjects consumed corn oil-rich supplementation. The groups consumed the oils for a duration of 4 weeks. The generation of LTs by leukocytes and respiratory function were compared between the two groups.

Results

Generation of LTB4 and LTC4 by leukocytes tended to increase in the corn oil-rich supplement group, and decrease in the perilla seed oil-rich supplementation. There were significant differences between the two groups regarding the generation of LTB4 and LTC4 at 2 weeks following dietary supplementation. There were significant increases in PEF, FVC, FEV and V25 pulmonary function values in the perilla seed oil group, as well as significant differences in FVC values and FEV between the two groups after 4 weeks of dietary supplementation.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that perilla seed oil-rich supplementation is useful in the treatment of asthma in terms of suppression of LTB4 and LTC4 generation by leukocytes and improvement of pulmonary function.

References

Okamoto M et al. Effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids compared with n-6 fatty acids on bronchial asthma. Internal Medicine 39(2): 107-11. Feb 2000.