Omega-3 Fish Oil May Help Lupus Cancer Patients

New research presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting held in Boston, Mass., has revealed that Omega-3 fatty acids, contained in fish oil, may help patients with lupus.

In this study researchers enrolled 60 patients with lupus. The study was planned as a double-blind placebo controlled trial, that is two groups of patients receiving: one the test "drug" (fish oil in this case) and the other receiving a placebo (each person did not know what was receiving). Fish oils was supplemented in their everyday diet.

The study lasted 24 weeks and looked for the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (contained in fish oil) on different indicators of the lupus cancer disease, specially on endothelial function and free radicals within patients cells. They used objective systems to assess the lupus disease called the Systemic (revised) Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM-R), the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group index of disease activity for SLE (BILAG), and the endothelial function using flow mediated dilation of the brachial artery (FMD).

Overall, it was seen that at the end of the study, patients who had followed taking omega-3 fish oil rich diet improved in all disease indicators. Blood functioning was improved in lupus patients as well as less cell damaging free radicals were found in their cells. These results showed potential benefits in preventing the appearance of premature cardiovascular disease in lupus cancer patients. Also, patients improved in other areas of the disease.

Dr, Stephen Wright, lead researcher and presenter of the results said "This study provides evidence for the potential cardioprotective effect they may have in this group of patients." He works at the Department of Therapeutics and Musculoskeletal Education & Research unit of Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland.