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Omega-3 Fish Oil Improves Lupus Symptoms, Shows Possible Cardiovascular Benefits: Presented at ACR

By Bruce Sylvester

BOSTON, MA -- November 12, 2007 -- Dietary supplementation with low-dose omega-3 fish oils improves lupus symptoms and shows evidence of a protective cardiovascular effect, according to researchers.

The findings of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial of the effect of omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were highlighted in a press briefing at the 71st annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) on November 9.

"This is the first study in lupus patients measuring improvements in blood vessel function," said presenter and investigator Stephen Wright, MD, Specialist Registrar in Rheumatology, Department of Therapeutics and Musculoskeletal Education and Research Unit, Queen's University Hospital, Belfast, United Kingdom.

"After 6 months we saw evidence confirming the beneficial effects of omega-3 fish oils for improving symptoms of lupus and, also, evidence of a cardioprotective effect in these patients," he added.

Sixty patients participated in the trial. They received 3 g of omega-3 fish oils daily, for 24 weeks. The investigators measured disease activity using the revised Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM-R) and the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index of disease activity for SLE. Endothelial function was measured by flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, oxidative stress using platelet 8-isoprostanes, and analysis of platelet membrane fatty acids. Readings were conducted at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks.

The researchers reported that, in the fish oil group, there were statistically significant improvements at 24 weeks in lupus disease activity with changes in SLAM-R (P <.001), in BILAG (P <.001), and in FMD (P <.001).

The investigators also reported improvements in platelet 8-isoprostanes (P =.007).

The authors concluded, "Low-dose dietary supplementation with omega-3 fish oils in SLE not only has a therapeutic effect on disease activity but also improves endothelial function and reduces oxidative stress and may, therefore, confer cardiovascular benefits."


[Presentation title: A Randomised Placebo-Controlled Interventional Trial of Omega-3-Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Disease Activity and Endothelial Function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Abstract: 1317]

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