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Original Article |
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Pilot Study of the Effects of n-3
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Exhaled Nitric Oxide in
Patients With Stable Asthma |
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A Moreira,1,2 P
Moreira,4 L Delgado,1 J Fonseca,2,3
V Teixeira,4 P Padrão,4 G
Castel-Branco2 |
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1 Department of Immunology, Faculty of
Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
2 Department of Immunoallergology, University Hospital
São João, Porto, Portugal
3 Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto,
Portugal
4 Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of
Porto, Porto, Portugal |
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J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol
2007; Vol. 17 (5): 309-313 |
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Abstract |
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Background:
The
anti-inflammatory
effects of n-3
polyunsaturated
fatty acids (n-3
PUFA) have been
demonstrated both in
vitro and in vivo.
The results of
epidemiological
studies suggest that
fi sh consumption
has a benefi cial
effect on lung
function and
prevalence of asthma.
However, data from
intervention trials
have not revealed a
benefi cial effect
of n-3 PUFA
supplementation in
patients with
established disease.
Objective: To
study the effects of
short-term n-3 PUFA
supplementation in
addition to
maintenance therapy
on exhaled nitric
oxide in asthmatic
patients.
Methods: A
double-blind,
placebo-controlled
trial was undertaken
in 20 women with
asthma. Patients
received either a
combination of
eicosapentaenoic
acid and
docosahexaenoic acid
plus 10 mg vitamin E
or placebo twice
daily for 2 weeks.
The primary outcome
measure was the
fraction of exhaled
nitric oxide (FeNO)
and the secondary
outcomes were asthma
control (score on
the Asthma Control
Questionnaire
[ACQ]) and lung
function (forced
expiratory volume in
1 second [FEV1]).
Results: No
significant
differences were
observed in FeNO,
ACQ score, or FEV1
between patients
receiving n-3 PUFA
supplementation and
those receiving
placebo.
Conclusions: Short-term
dietary
supplementation with
n-3 PUFA in women
with stable asthma
was not associated
with statistically
significant changes
in FeNO, asthma
control, or lung
function
Key words:
Asthma. Airway
inflammation. n-3
Polyunsaturated
fatty acids.
Eicosapentaenoic
acid.
Docosahexaenoic acid.
Exhaled nitric
oxide.
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