Effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids compared with n-6 fatty acids on bronchial asthma

Objective The effects of perilla seed oil (n-3 fatty acids) on bronchial as thma were compared with the effects of corn oil (n-6 fatty acids) in relati on to the pulmonary function and the generation of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) an d C4 (LTC4) by leucocytes. Methods and Subjects 14 asthmatic subjects were divided randomly into two g roups: one group (7 subjects) consumed perilla seed oil-rich supplementatio n and the other group (7 subjects) consumed corn oil-rich supplementation f or 4 weeks. Generation of LTs by leucocytes and respiratory function were c ompared between the two groups. Results The generation of LTB4 and LTC4 by leucocytes tended to increase in subjects (N=7) with corn oil-rich supplementation, and decrease in subject s (N=7) with perilla seed oil-rich supplementation. Significant differences between the two groups were observed in the generation of LTB4 at 2 weeks (p<0.05) and LTC4 at 2 weeks (p<0.05) after dietary supplementation. Signif icant increases in the value of PEF (p<0.05), FVC (p<0.01), FEV1.0 (p<0.05) and V-25 (p<0.05) were found in subjects who received perilla seed oil sup plementation for 4 weeks. And significant differences in the value of FVC ( p<0.05) and FEV1.0 (p<0.05) were observed between the two groups after 4 we eks of dietary supplementation. Conclusion These results suggest that perilla seed oil-rich supplementation is useful for the treatment of asthma in terms of suppression of LTB4 and LTC4 generation by leucocytes, and improvement of pulmonary function.