Beneficial Effect of Eicosapentaenoic (EPA)
and Docosahexaenoic Acids in the Management
of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and its
Relationship to the Cytokine Network

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1994 (Sep);   51 (3):   207–213

Das UN

Department of Medicine,
Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences,
Punjagutta, Hyderabad, India

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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterised by arthritis, cutaneous rash, vasculitis, and involvement of central nervous system, renal and cardiopulmonary manifestations. Abnormalities in the cytokine network is believed to be involved in the pathobiology of this condition. The n-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can suppress T-cell proliferation and the production of interleukin-1, interleukin-2, and tumor necrosis factor by these cells both in vitro and in vivo. Oral supplementation of EPA and DHA induced prolonged remission of SLE in 10 consecutive patients without any side-effects. These results suggest that n-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are useful in the management of SLE and possibly, other similar collagen vascular diseases.

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