Asthma is one of the most common and prevalent problems worldwide affecting over 300 million individuals. There is some evidence from observational and intervention studies to suggest a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA in inflammatory diseases, specifically asthma. Marine-based n-3 PUFA have therefore been proposed as a possible complementary/alternative therapy for asthma. The proposed anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 fatty acids may be linked to a change in cell membrane composition. This altered membrane composition following n-3 fatty acid supplementation (primarily EPA and DHA) can modify lipid mediator generation via the production of eicosanoids with a reduced inflammatory potential/impact. A recently identified group of lipid mediators derived from EPA including E-series resolvins are proposed to be important in the resolution of inflammation. Reduced inflammation attenuates the severity of asthma including symptoms (dyspnoea) and exerts a bronchodilatory effect. There have been no major health side effects reported with the dietary supplementation of n-3 fatty acids or their mediators; consequently supplementing with n-3 fatty acids is an attractive non-pharmacological intervention which may benefit asthma.
Keywords: AA; AHR airway hyper-responsiveness; ALA α-linolenic acid; Asthma; COX cyclo-oxygenase; EIB exercise-induced bronchoconstriction; FEV1 forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FeNO fractional exhaled NO; Fish oils; Inflammation; LA linoleic acid; LOX lipoxygenase; LT leukotriene; LX lipoxin; NOS NO synthase; Omega-3 fatty acids; PD protectin; PEF peak expiratory flow; Rv resolvin; arachidonic acid; n-3 Fatty acids.