Characterization of an arachidonic acid-deficient (Fads1 knockout) mouse model.

Arachidonic acid (20:4(Δ5,8,11,14), AA)-derived eicosanoids regulate inflammation and promote cancer development. Previous studies have targeted prostaglandin enzymes in an attempt to modulate AA metabolism. However, due to safety concerns surrounding the use of pharmaceutical agents designed to target Ptgs2 (cyclooxygenase 2) and its downstream targets, it is important to identify new targets upstream of Ptgs2. Therefore, we determined the utility of antagonizing tissue AA levels as a novel approach to suppressing AA-derived eicosanoids. Systemic disruption of the Fads1 (Δ5 desaturase) gene reciprocally altered the levels of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3(Δ8,11,14), DGLA) and AA in mouse tissues, resulting in a profound increase in 1-series-derived and a concurrent decrease in 2-series-derived prostaglandins. The lack of AA-derived eicosanoids, e.g., PGE2 was associated with perturbed intestinal crypt proliferation, immune cell homeostasis, and a heightened sensitivity to acute inflammatory challenge. In addition, null mice failed to thrive, dying off by 12 weeks of age. Dietary supplementation with AA extended the longevity of null mice to levels comparable to wild-type mice. We propose that this new mouse model will expand our understanding of how AA and its metabolites mediate inflammation and promote malignant transformation, with the eventual goal of identifying new drug targets upstream of Ptgs2.

Eficacia de una dieta vegetariana en síndromes musculoesqueléticos dolorosos idiopáticos crónicos / Efficacy of a vegetarian diet in patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome and chronic lumbalgia

Objetivo. Evaluar la eficacia de un régimen dietético vegetariano en pacientes con Síndrome de Fibromialgia Primaria (SPF), Síndrome de dolor miofascial (SDMF) y lumbalgia crónica. Tipo de estudio. Ensayo clínico controlado. Material y métodos. Se estudiaron 18 pacientes de sexo femenino con SPF, SDMF y lumbalgia. Diez recibieron dieta vegetariana (DV) y ocho dieta normal (DN). Ambos grupos recibieron similar tratamiento farmacológico y fisioterápico. Se evaluó intensidad de dolor, capacidad funcional y calidad de vida en tiempo basal y posteriormente a intervalos mensuales por 3 meses. Resultados. Los pacientes asignados a DV tuvieron mayores calificaciones de intensidad de dolor que los asignados a DN a partir de los 30 días de tratamiento; no hubo diferencia entre ambos grupos en cuanto a capacidad funcional y calidad de vida. Conclusiones. El uso de una dieta vegetariana no parece ser eficaz en pacientes con SPF, SDMF y lumbalgia crónica