In a multi-center placebo controlled cross over trial, We compared the efficacy of continuous n-3 PUFA enriched food “Ipaole” supplementation (daily intake dose; ALA: 60mg/kg, EPA: 30mg/kg, DHA: 18mg/kg) for atopic dermatitis to that of a isonergic placebo containing olive oil for 4 weeks.
A total of 37 patients with atopic dermatitis, aged 12.8+4.9 years, from 6 investigative centers (male: 17, female: 20; severe: 22, moderate: 15) were employed.
The patients were randomly divided into two groups: A group consists of 20 patients receiving Ipaole preceding placebo; B group 17 patients receiving placebo preceding Ipaole.
Of the 37 patients who started the trial 2 from A group and 2 from B group dropped out.
During Ipaole supplementation a statistically significant improvement was observed in the overall severity and grade of inflammation, and in the percentage of the body surface involved by ezema (p<0.01).
But during placebo administration no significant reduction of symptom score was shown. During Ipaole supplementation the treatment score also significantly decreased (p<0.1) but does not significantly reduced during placebo intake.
During Ipaole supplementation a statistically significant rise of EPA, EPA/AA and DHA of serum phospholipids was observed (p<0.001, p<0.01), but not observed during placebo intake.
Bleeding time prolonged slightly in some patients, but any clinical sign of bleeding was not observed.
These results suggest that the supplementation of n-3 PUFA enriched food is useful in the treatment of some patients with atopic dermatitis.
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