Influence of fish oil supplementation on the minimal erythema dose in humans

Archives of Dermatological Research volume 284, pages219–221(1992)Cite this article

Summary

A previous study using the hairless mouse model demonstrated that diets containing a fish-oil lipid source, which contained high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, markedly increased the minimum erythema dose (MED) when compared with diets containing other polyunsaturated fatty acids. To determine whether fish oil supplementation could produce a similar effect in humans, 20 subjects were randomized into two groups, a placebo group and a group receiving fish-oil supplements over a 4-week period. Results showed a small, but statistically significant, increase in MED in patients whose diet was supplemented with fish oil. Cholesterol and prostaglandin E2 levels were unchanged, while triglyceride levels were significantly decreased in the fish oil group. No significant changes in any of these parameters occurred in the placebo group.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

US$ 39.95

Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. 1.

    Black HS (1987) Systemic photoprotective agents. Photodermatology 4: 187–195

    Google Scholar 

  2. 2.

    Bothwell W, Verburg M, Wynalda M, Daniels EG, Fitzpatrick FA (1982) A radioimmunoassay for the unstable pulmonary metabolites of prostaglandin E2 and E1: an indirect index of their in vivo disposition and pharmacokinetics. Pharmacol Exp Ther 220: 229–235

    Google Scholar 

  3. 3.

    Chambers DA, Cohen RL (1985) Eicosanoids and tumor promotion. In: Lands WEM (ed) Biochemistry of arachadonic acid metabolism. Martinus Nijhoff, Boston, pp 343–374

    Google Scholar 

  4. 4.

    Dyerberg J, Bang HO (1979) Haemostatic function and platelet polyunsaturated fatty acids in Eskimos. Lancet II: 433–435

    Google Scholar 

  5. 5.

    Dyerberg J, Bang HO, Stofferson E, Moncada S, Vane JR (1978) Eicosapentaenoic acid and prevention of thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Lancet II: 117–119

    Google Scholar 

  6. 6.

    Dyerberg J, Mortensen JZ, Nielson AH, Schmidt EB (1982) N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and ischaemic heart disease. Lancet II: 614

    Google Scholar 

  7. 7.

    Ehrstrom MC (1951) Medical studies in North Greenland 1948–9. Acta Med Scand 140: 416–422

    Google Scholar 

  8. 8.

    Fisher SM (1983) The role of prostaglandins in tumor production. In: Slaga TJ (ed) Mechanism of tumor promotion, vol II. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, pp 113–126

    Google Scholar 

  9. 9.

    Greaves MW, McDonald-Gibson WJ (1972) Anti-flammatory agents and prostaglandin biosynthesis. BMJ 3: 527

    Google Scholar 

  10. 10.

    Henderson CD, Black HS, Wolf JE Jr (1989) Influence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid sources on prostaglandin levels in mice. Lipids 24: 502–505

    Google Scholar 

  11. 11.

    Karmali RA, Marsh J, Fuchs C (1984) Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on growth of a rat mammary tumor. J Natl Cancer Inst 73: 457–461

    Google Scholar 

  12. 12.

    Kremer JM, Jubiz W, Michalek A, Rynes RI, Bartholomew LE, Bigaouette J, et al. (1987) Fish-oil fatty acid supplementation in active rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Intern Med 106: 497–503

    Google Scholar 

  13. 13.

    Lim HW, Thorbecke GJ, Baer RL, Gigli I (1983) Effect of indomethacin on alteration of ATPase-positive Langerhans cell density and cutaneous sunburn reaction induced by ultraviolet-B radiation. J Invest Dermatol 81: 455–458

    Google Scholar 

  14. 14.

    Mertin J, Mertin LA (1988) Modulation of in vivo immune responses following changes in the intake of essential fatty acids. Prog Allergy 44: 172–206

    Google Scholar 

  15. 15.

    Orengo I, Black HS, Kettler AH, Wolf JE (1989) Influence of dietary menhaden oil upon carcinogenesis and various cutaneous responses to ultraviolet radiation. Photochem Photobiol 49: 71–77

    Google Scholar 

  16. 16.

    Phillipson BE, Rothrock DW, Connor WE, Harris WS, Allingworth DR (1985) Reduction of plasma lipids, lipoproteins and apoproteins by dietary fish oils in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. N Engl J Med 312: 1210–1216

    Google Scholar 

  17. 17.

    Rice R (1988) Fish oils — their significance to human health. J R Soc Med 81: 499–501

    Google Scholar 

  18. 18.

    Rylance R, Gordge MP, Saynor R, Parsons V, Weston MJ (1986) Fish oil modifies lipids and reduces platelet aggregability in haemodialysis patients. Nephron 43: 196–202

    Google Scholar 

  19. 19.

    Sanders TAB, Sullivan DR, Reeve J, Thompson GR (1985) Triglyceride lowering effect of marine polyunsaturates in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Arteriosclerosis 5: 459–465

    Google Scholar 

  20. 20.

    Saynor R, Verel D, Gillot T (1984) The long-term effect of dietary supplementation with fish lipid concentrate on serum lipids, bleeding time, platelets and angina. Arterosclerosis 50: 3–10

    Google Scholar 

  21. 21.

    Simons LA, Hickie JB, Balasubramanian S (1984) On the effect of dietary N-3 fatty acids (MaxEPA) on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in patients with hyperlipidemia. Aterosclerosis 54: 75–88

    Google Scholar 

  22. 22.

    Thorngren M, Gustafson A, Wohlfart G (1983) Effects of acetylsalicylic acid on platelet aggregation before and during increase in dietary eicosapentaenoic acid. Haemostasis 13: 244–247

    Google Scholar 

  23. 23.

    Ziboh VA, Cohen KA, Ellis CN, Miller C, Hamilton TA, Kragballe K et al. (1986) Effects of dietary supplementation of fish oil on neutrophil and epidermal fatty acids. Arch Dermatol 122: 1277–1282

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Tex., USA

    I. F. Orengo, H. S. Black & J. E. Wolf Jr

Authors
  1. I. F. Orengo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. S. Black
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. E. Wolf Jr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. S. Black.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Orengo, I.F., Black, H.S. & Wolf, J.E. Influence of fish oil supplementation on the minimal erythema dose in humans. Arch Dermatol Res 284, 219–221 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00375797

Download citation

Key words

  • UV Erythema
  • Fish oil
  • Triglycerides
  • Prostaglandins