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gamma-Linolenic
acid treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Zurier
RB, Rossetti RG, Jacobson EW, DeMarco DM, Liu NY, Temming JE, White BM, Laposata
M
University
of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655-0335, USA
Objective.
To assess the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA),
a plant seed oil-derived unsaturated fatty acid that suppresses inflammation and
joint tissue injury in animal models, in the treatment of active rheumatoid
arthritis (RA).
Methods.
Fifty-six patients with active RA were randomized to treatment groups in a
6-month, double-blind trial of GLA versus placebo.
This was followed by a
6-month, single-blind trial during which all patients received GLA.
Patients
were treated with 2.8 gm/day of GLA as the free fatty acid or with sunflower
seed oil (placebo) administered in identical capsules.
Results.
Treatment with GLA for 6 months resulted in statistically significant and
clinically relevant reductions in the signs and symptoms of disease activity in
patients with RA.
Overall meaningful responses (at least 25% improvement in 4
measures) were also better in the GLA treatment group (14 of 22 patients versus
4 of 19 in the placebo group; P = 0.015).
During the second 6 months, both
groups exhibited improvement in disease activity.
Thus, patients taking GLA
during the entire study showed progressive improvement during the second 6
months.
In this group, 16 of 21 patients showed meaningful improvement at 12
months compared with study entry.
Conclusion.
GLA at doses used in this study is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for
active RA.
GLA is available as a component of several plant seed oils and is
usually taken in far lower doses than were used in this trial. It is not
approved in the United States for the treatment of any condition, and should not
be viewed as therapy for any disease. Further controlled studies of its in RA
are warranted.
PMID:
8912502 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Source:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8912502&dopt=Abstract
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