N-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS - UPDATE 1995

Epidemiologic and biochemical studies have suggested an anti-inflammat ory effect of n-3 fatty acids. Beneficial therapeutic effects reported from small patient groups need to be confirmed in large-cohort contro lled clinical trials. There is a growing number of clinical trials of n-3 fatty acid supplementation in disease. Clinical benefits have been moderate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and with arterial hype rtension. Clearly negative results have been reported during the past 2 years for patients with lupus nephritis and for patients with psoria sis or with atopic dermatitis. Such trials have now been completed. Fo r patients with coronary artery disease following coronary angioplasty , earlier results of a large meta-analysis; could not be confirmed. Fo r patients with IgA-nephropathy and for patients following kidney tran splantation, a clear benefit was seen in patients receiving fish oil. These promising results are currently pursued in follow-up phase III c linical trials.