EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATION OF GAMMA-LINOLENIC ACID ON THE FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF SERUM PHOSPHOLIPIDS AND CHOLESTERYL ESTERS IN PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC-FIBROSIS

This study examined the effects of supplementing patients with cystic fibrosis daily for 4 weeks with 1,500 mg borage oil, containing 330 mg gamma-linolenic acid, on the fatty acid composition of serum phosphol ipids (PL) and cholesteryl esters (CE). Vital capacity and forced expi ratory volume in 1 s were also measured before and after treatment. In serum PL the content of arachidonic acid (AA) increased and that of p almitic acid decreased significantly after borage oil administration. In serum CE dihomogamma-linolenic acid increased whereas docosahexaeno ic acid decreased significantly. In this lipid class, AA and the sum o f AA plus its precursor, dihomogamma-linolenic acid, increased signifi cantly with the dose fed. A positive correlation was found between cha nge in vital capacity and change in linoleic acid content of serum CE and AA content of serum PL.