DIETARY FISH-OIL EFFECTS ON SEASONAL HAY-FEVER AND ASTHMA IN POLLEN-SENSITIVE SUBJECTS

The effects of taking 18 capsules a day of Max-EPA (3.2 g/day eicosape ntaenoic acid) on clinical symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness were studied in pollen-sensitive subjects over a pollen season in a pa rallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled (olive oil) fashion. The stud y was conducted over the 1990 and 1991 pollen seasons in London, Engla nd. A total of 37 nonsmoking pollen-sensitive asthmatic subjects were entered into the trial, and 25 completed the 6-month study period over the 2 yr. The preseasonal geometric mean PD35 SGaw of histamine for t he fish oil (n = 12) and placebo (n = 9) groups were 0.62 and 0.42 mum ol, respectively. During the middle of the pollen season, histamine PD 35 SGaw fell significantly for both the fish oil (0.11 mumol, p < 0.00 01) and placebo groups (0.10 mumol, p < 0.007), indicating increased b ronchial reactivity compared with preseasonal values, but there was no significant difference between the groups. Similarly, morning and eve ning peak expiratory flow (PEF), diurnal variability in PEF, nocturnal cough and wheeze, daytime wheeze, and activity, as well as nasal symp toms and increased usage of medication, were not significantly differe nt between the groups. Compliance was confirmed by neutrophil and plas ma phospholipid analysis, which showed significant rises in eicosapent aenoic acid content in the fish oil group but not in the placebo group . We conclude that dietary fish oil supplementation does not prevent s easonal hay fever and asthma in pollen-sensitive subjects during the p ollen season.