Omega-3 Versus Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Omega-3 (ω-3) and omega-6 (ω-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are nowadays desirable components of oils with special dietary and functional properties. Their therapeutic and health-promoting effects have already been established in various chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases through various mechanisms, including modifications in cell membrane lipid composition, gene expression, cellular metabolism, and signal transduction. The application of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs in most common skin diseases has been examined in numerous studies, but their results and conclusions were mostly opposing and inconclusive. It seems that combined ω-6, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and ω-3 long-chain PUFAs supplementation exhibits the highest potential in diminishing inflammatory processes, which could be beneficial for the management of inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne. Due to significant population and individually-based genetic variations that impact PUFAs metabolism and associated metabolites, gene expression, and subsequent inflammatory responses, at this point, we could not recommend strict dietary and supplementation strategies for disease prevention and treatment that will be appropriate for all. Well-balanced nutrition and additional anti-inflammatory PUFA-based supplementation should be encouraged in a targeted manner for individuals in need to provide better management of skin diseases but, most importantly, to maintain and improve overall skin health.

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Experimental and clinical study of the efficacy of medicines containing omega-3 and 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases

Research Results in Pharmacology ◽

10.3897/rrpharmacology.4.28420 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 84-92

Author(s):

Svetlana Grebennikova ◽

Yurij Maklyakov

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Contact Dermatitis ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Irritant Contact Dermatitis ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Inflammatory Skin Diseases ◽

White Rats ◽

Inflammatory Skin ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Introduction: Over the recent years, the attention of scientists regarding the search for alternative means of treatment, including local therapy, of inflammatory skin diseases, has been focused in recent years on medicines containing omega-3 and 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Objectives: to substantiate the feasibility of using medicines containing omega-3 and 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Methods:The studies were carried out on 224 conventional white rats of the Wistar line in compliance with the international principles of the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrates. A burn injury was used to cause experimental simple irritant contact dermatitis. After trying various treatment options with using Omegaven, histopathological examinations of 18 fragments of affected skin of white rats with cross sections stained with hematoxylin–eosin and pikrofuxin by Van Gieson’s method. The state of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in blood and affected skin was evaluated in the animals. One hundred forty-six patients with inflammatory skin diseases (dermatitis simple irritant contact, allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, psoriasis, cutaneous mastocytosis in children) were observed. In treatment, there were used medicines with omega-3 and 6 PUFA or an antioxidant medicines. Results and discussion: Skin reactions of dermatitis simple irritant contact in rats after burn injury were evaluated at different points of time. The observations showed higher efficacy of medicines containing PUFA than standard anti-inflammatory agents in the treatment of simple irritant contact dermatitis. Histopathological examination of the skin of white rats with simple irritant contact dermatitis after the 11-day treatment revealed that the expression and composition of the cellular reaction in the lesions with a predominating lymphocytes and macrophages (mainly cell response) differ significantly from those trated with Radevit ointment (segmented neutrophil leukocytes, eosinophils – delay in the acute phase of inflammation). There was identified a smaller thickness (up to 1/3) of the strips of granulation tissue under the actively proliferating cells of the epidermis. It was possible to demonstrate the superiority with respect to reducing the activity of LPO medicines containing omega-3 and 6 PUFA, over those with anti-inflammatory action. The clinical observations of patients showed high efficacy of the local treatment with medicines containing omega-3 and 6 PUFA, or antioxidant. Conclusion: For the first time, the mechanism of implementing an anti-inflammatory effect of the experimental medicines containing omega-3 and 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omegaven, Vitamin F99 cream rich), – an antioxidant effect - when treating simple irritant contact dermatitis when treating simple irritant contact dermatitis; that is the weakening of the severity of oxidative stress. For the first time, the greatest contribution of an increased activity of catalase to the weakening of oxidative stress in the affected skin is shown.

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Fatty Acids and Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Nishi Nihon Hifuka ◽

10.2336/nishinihonhifu.80.5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 80 (1) ◽

pp. 5-8

Author(s):

Tetsuya HONDA

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Inflammatory Skin Diseases ◽

Inflammatory Skin

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Circulating and Dietary Omega‐3 and Omega‐6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Incidence of CVD in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Journal of the American Heart Association ◽

10.1161/jaha.113.000506 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 93

Author(s):

Marcia C. de Oliveira Otto ◽

Jason H. Y. Wu ◽

Ana Baylin ◽

Dhananjay Vaidya ◽

Stephen S. Rich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Ethnic Study ◽

Omega 6

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Omega-6 and Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Inammatory Processes

Chronic Inflammation ◽

10.1201/b12696-26 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 336-353

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Omega 6

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Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Impact on Health and Disease Status

Life and Science ◽

10.37185/lns.1.1.85 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 12

Author(s):

Samina Akbar ◽

Muhammad Zeeshan Bhatti ◽

Rida Fatima Saeed ◽

Asma Saleem Qazi

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Disease Status ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Lipid Lowering ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Omega 6 ◽

Health And Disease

Over the last decades, the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been largely explored not only for their nutritional value but also for the numerous biological functions and therapeutic effects. The serum and erythrocyte levels of PUFAs depend on the genetic control of metabolism as well as the dietary intake and are considered to reflect the health and disease status of an individual. Two families of PUFAs, omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6), have gained much attention because of their involvement in the production of bioactive lipid mediators and therefore, a balanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio is crucial in maintaining the overall health of an individual. Omega-3 PUFAs, notably eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) have been shown to exert beneficial effects, possibly due to their lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and cardioprotective effects, whereas omega-6 fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6) exhibit the opposite properties. Even though, numerous epidemiological studies and clinical interventions have clearly established the effectiveness of omega-3 PUFAs in various pathological conditions including dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, some controversies do exist about the beneficial effects of omega-3 PUFAs and need to be clarified. Larger clinical trials with extended follow-up periods are required along with a careful dose selection, in order to confirm the clinical significance and efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs as therapeutic agents.

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