Fish Oil and Asthma in House Dust Mite Allergy

Last updated: September 28, 2006
Sponsor: Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Hospital
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

2/3

Condition

Allergy (Pediatric)

Allergies & Asthma

Allergy

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT00380926
ZAFES-2004-07
  • Ages 18-45
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

Native populations consuming high amounts of fish suffer less from allergic diseases. The purpose of this study is to determine whether polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish oil) might have a disease modifying influence on asthmatics sensitized to house dust mite.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • allergic sensitization to house dust mite as proven by skin test and specific IgE

  • normal lung function, episodic asthma

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • history of hypersensitization towards fish oil, chronic illness, pregnancy

Study Design

Total Participants: 23
Study Start date:
April 01, 2004
Estimated Completion Date:
November 30, 2004

Study Description

Most asthmatics suffer from mild disease and non pharmacologic intervention would be beneficial for the majority of these subjects. We investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in allergic asthma.

In our parallel, double-blinded study, 23 patients allergic to house dust mite were randomly assigned to dietary supplementation with a PUFA enriched fat blend or placebo for five weeks. The verum contained eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 450 mg/day, docosahexaenoic acid 180 mg/day, stearidonic acid 60mg/day, and gamma-linolenic acid 60 mg/day; the placebo consisted of mainly unsaturated and monosaturated fatty acids. After three weeks, the patients were challenged with low doses of inhalative house dust mite allergen for two weeks.

Following parameters were determined during low-dose allergen exposure in both groups: exhaled NO (eNO) as a marker of bronchial inflammation, clinical symptoms, FEV1, beta-agonist usage, and bronchial hyperreactivity, sputum eosinophils and sulfoleucotrienes. Compliance with the study protocol was controlled by the determination of PUFAs in plasma and erythrocytes.