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Randomized controlled trial of oral omega-3 PUFA in solar-simulated radiation-induced suppression of human cutaneous immune responses.

AbstractBACKGROUND:
Skin cancer is a major public health concern, and the majority of cases are caused by solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, which suppresses skin immunity. Omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs protect against photoimmunosuppression and skin cancer in mice, but the impact in humans is unknown.
OBJECTIVES:
We hypothesized that EPA-rich n-3 PUFA would abrogate photoimmunosuppression in humans. Therefore, a nutritional study was performed to assess the effect on UVR suppression of cutaneous cell-mediated immunity (CMI) reflected by nickel contact hypersensitivity (CHS).
DESIGN:
In a double-blind, randomized controlled study, 79 volunteers (nickel-allergic women, 22-60 y old, with phototype I or II) took 5 g n-3 PUFA-containing lipid (70% EPA plus 10% DHA) or a control lipid daily for 3 mo. After supplementation, nickel was applied to 3 skin sites preexposed on 3 consecutive days to 1.9, 3.8, or 7.6 J/cm(2) of solar-simulated radiation (SSR) and to 3 unexposed control sites. Nickel CHS responses were quantified after 72 h and the percentage of immunosuppression by SSR was calculated. Erythrocyte [red blood cell (RBC)] EPA was measured by using gas chromatography.
RESULTS:
SSR dose-related suppression of the nickel CHS response was observed in both groups. Photoimmunosuppression appeared less in the n-3 PUFA group than in the control group (not statistically significant [mean difference (95% CI): 6.9% (-2.1%, 15.9%)]). The difference was greatest at 3.8 J/cm(2) SSR [mean difference: 11% (95% CI: 0.5%, 21.4%)]. Postsupplementation RBC EPA was 4-fold higher in the n-3 PUFA group than in the control group (mean difference: 2.69% (95% CI: 2.23%, 3.14%), which confirmed the EPA bioavailability.
CONCLUSION:
Oral n-3 PUFAs appear to abrogate photoimmunosuppression in human skin, providing additional support for their chemopreventive role; verification of study findings is required. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01032343.
AuthorsSuzanne M Pilkington, Karen A Massey, Susan P Bennett, Naser Mi Al-Aasswad, Khaled Roshdy, Neil K Gibbs, Peter S Friedmann, Anna Nicolaou, Lesley E Rhodes
JournalThe American journal of clinical nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr) Vol. 97 Issue 3 Pg. 646-52 (Mar 2013) ISSN: 1938-3207 [Electronic] United States
PMID23364005 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Nickel
Topics
  • Adult
  • Dermatitis, Contact (immunology, prevention & control)
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Erythrocytes (drug effects, immunology)
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (administration & dosage, blood)
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance (immunology, radiation effects)
  • Immunity, Cellular (drug effects)
  • Middle Aged
  • Nickel (adverse effects, metabolism)
  • Skin (drug effects, immunology, radiation effects)
  • Solar Energy
  • Ultraviolet Rays (adverse effects)
  • Young Adult

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