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• COPD and polyunsaturated fatty acids
  Undurti N Das
  Published on: 26 August 2005

• Published on: 26 August 2005

  COPD and polyunsaturated fatty acids

  • Undurti N Das, Physician/Scientist

  Dear Editor,

  I read with interest the study by Broekhuizen et al. in which they described the beneficial effect of n-3 EPA/DHA. This reminded me of my own study done few years back on the possible beneficial action of n-3 PUFAs in bronchial asthma. In this study, I observed that asthmatics supplemented with n-3 PUFAs had fewer episodes of asthmatic attacks and the attacks tended to be mild. At that time, I thought...

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  Dear Editor,

  I read with interest the study by Broekhuizen et al. in which they described the beneficial effect of n-3 EPA/DHA. This reminded me of my own study done few years back on the possible beneficial action of n-3 PUFAs in bronchial asthma. In this study, I observed that asthmatics supplemented with n-3 PUFAs had fewer episodes of asthmatic attacks and the attacks tended to be mild. At that time, I thought that I am too biased and hence the results were never published. Retrospectively, it is now clear that n-3 PUFAs are beneficial both in asthma and COPD.

  Although, the exact mechanism of action is not clear, it is likely that anti-inflammatory actions of n-3 PUFAs need to be considered seriously. The absence of any significant changes in the plasma concentrations of CRP, TNF, and IL-6 in the study done by Broekhuizen et al., suggests that in all probability local actions of these fatty acids within the lungs needs to be taken into consideration. The other possibility is that n-3 PUFAs may not alter the concentrations of pro- inflammatory cytokines but may enhance the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10 that may tilt the balance more towards resolution of inflammation.

  The other possibility is that n-3 PUFAs are known to reduce anxiety and this may aid in the beneficial effect seen. N-3 PUFAs also enhance endothelial nitric oxide (eNO) generation. NO is known to have bronchodilator actions and reduce inflammation.

  It is possible that long-term supplementation of n-3 PUFAs may offer more clear-cut beneficial actions in asthma and COPD and this needs to be studied.

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  Conflict of Interest:
  None declared.

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