Biomaterial Database

Do dietary supplements of fish oils improve psoriasis? 1990

D I Wilkinson

Psoriasis Research Institute, Palo Alto, California 94301.

In theory, a number of skin and systemic diseases with an inflammatory component should be improved by dietary intake of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids, usually of marine origin. The most significant is eicosapentaenoic acid, which may substitute for arachidonic acid in tissue. Inflammation mediators derived from the former compound are much less active biologically, and also can inhibit the chemotactic behavior of leukotrienes derived from arachidonic acid. A number of studies have appeared describing the effects of such dietary manipulation in patients with psoriasis. Some reports credit fish oil ingestion with moderate improvement of the disease, but problems in the design of these studies have led to criticism of the results.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011565	Psoriasis	A common genetically determined, chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by rounded erythematous, dry, scaling patches. The lesions have a predilection for nails, scalp, genitalia, extensor surfaces, and the lumbosacral region. Accelerated epidermopoiesis is considered to be the fundamental pathologic feature in psoriasis.	Palmoplantaris Pustulosis,Pustular Psoriasis of Palms and Soles,Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris,Pustulosis of Palms and Soles,Psoriases
D004281	Docosahexaenoic Acids	C22-unsaturated fatty acids found predominantly in FISH OILS.	Docosahexaenoate,Docosahexaenoic Acid,Docosahexenoic Acids,Docosahexaenoic Acid (All-Z Isomer),Docosahexaenoic Acid Dimer (All-Z Isomer),Docosahexaenoic Acid, 3,6,9,12,15,18-Isomer,Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-(All-Z-Isomer),Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-(All-Z-Isomer), Cerium Salt,Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-(All-Z-Isomer), Cesium Salt,Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-(All-Z-Isomer), Potassium Salt,Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-(Z,Z,Z,Z,Z,E-Isomer),Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-Isomer,Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-Isomer, Sodium Salt,Docosahexaenoic Acid, Sodium Salt,Acid, Docosahexaenoic,Acids, Docosahexaenoic,Acids, Docosahexenoic
D005395	Fish Oils	Oils high in unsaturated fats extracted from the bodies of fish or fish parts, especially the LIVER. Those from the liver are usually high in VITAMIN A. The oils are used as DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS. They are also used in soaps and detergents and as protective coatings.	Fish Liver Oils,Fish Oil,Liver Oils, Fish,Oil, Fish,Oils, Fish,Oils, Fish Liver
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D015118	Eicosapentaenoic Acid	Important polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish oils. It serves as the precursor for the prostaglandin-3 and thromboxane-3 families. A diet rich in eicosapentaenoic acid lowers serum lipid concentration, reduces incidence of cardiovascular disorders, prevents platelet aggregation, and inhibits arachidonic acid conversion into the thromboxane-2 and prostaglandin-2 families.	5,8,11,14,17-Eicosapentaenoic Acid,Icosapent,5,8,11,14,17-Icosapentaenoic Acid,Eicosapentanoic Acid,Timnodonic Acid,omega-3-Eicosapentaenoic Acid,Acid, Eicosapentanoic,omega 3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid