RESUMEN
Supplements of evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis), which contains at least 72% linoleic (18:2n-6) and 7% gamma-linolenic (18:3 n-6) acids (expressed as % fatty acid methyl esters) were given to sixteen cystic fibrosis patients for a period of 12 months. Clinical observations showed no significant changes in patients' weights or respiratory function throughout. Linoleic acid levels in plasma and erythrocyte membranes increased significantly during the first 6 months but this increase was not sustained at its initial level. After supplementation was discontinued reversion to baseline (low) levels occurred within 4 months. Levels of plasma prostaglandins (PG) and urinary PG metabolites varied among individuals over a wide range, and urinary PGF2 alpha metabolites fell during the supplementation. There was a significant fall in sweat sodium concentrations after 6 weeks of supplementation, but sweat chloride was unchanged. It is not known whether the effect of essential fatty acids on sweat Na+ reflects changes in cell membrane conformation or if there is a direct effect on Na+ pump activity.
Asunto(s)
Fibrosis Quística/dietoterapia , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/administración & dosificación , Electrólitos/metabolismo , Ácidos Grasos Esenciales/administración & dosificación , Lípidos/sangre , Sudor/metabolismo , Adolescente , Adulto , Niño , Preescolar , Cloruros/metabolismo , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Fibrosis Quística/metabolismo , Femenino , Humanos , Ácidos Linoleicos/sangre , Masculino , Oenothera biennis , Aceites de Plantas , Sodio/metabolismo , Ácido gammalinolénicoRESUMEN
Recently the need for low-fat diets in the treatment of cystic fibrosis has been questioned. Current ideas on the dietary treatment of the disease are discussed and the need to assess each patient individually is stressed. Supplementary feeding may be necessary to promote weight gain.