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Nutrient supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids and micronutrients in rheumatoid arthritis: clinical and biochemical effects

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 58, pages 839–845 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To investigate in a double-blind placebo-controlled, parallel group study, the effects of a nutrient supplement, containing, among other ingredients, the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (1.4 g EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (0.211 g DHA), omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (0.5 g GLA) and micronutrients in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Design, subjects and intervention: RA patients were randomized to receive either daily liquid nutrient supplementation or placebo for 4 months. The primary end point was the change in tender joint count at 2 and 4 months. Other clinical variables included swollen joint count, visual analogue scales for pain and disease activity, grip strength, functionality score and morning stiffness. Biochemical parameters included plasma concentrations of PUFA and vitamins C and E.

Setting: Outpatient university clinic.

Results: In all, 66 patients enrolled, 55 completed the study. No significant change from baseline in tender joint count or any of the other clinical parameters was detected in either group. Patients receiving nutrient supplementation, but not those receiving placebo, had significant increases in plasma concentrations of vitamin E (P=0.015), and EPA, DHA and docosapentaenoic acid concomitant with decreases of arachidonic acid (P=0.01). Intergroup differences for PUFA and vitamin E were significantly different (P=0.01 and 0.03, respectively).

Conclusions: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study in RA patients did not show superior clinical benefit of daily nutrient supplementation with EPA, GLA and micronutrients at the doses tested as compared to placebo. The study adds information regarding doses of omega-3 fatty acids, below which anti-inflammatory effects in RA are not seen.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr M Froelich (LUMC) and Dr J van den Berg (Numico Research) for laboratory analyses. This study was supported by a research grant from Senter/Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (BTS-99036).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

    P H J Remans, W M Zuijderduin, A Jongma, F C Breedveld & J M van Laar

  2. Department of Medical Decision Making, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

    J K Sont

  3. Numico Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    L W Wagenaar & W Wouters-Wesseling

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  1. P H J Remans
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  2. J K Sont
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Correspondence to J M van Laar.

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Remans, P., Sont, J., Wagenaar, L. et al. Nutrient supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids and micronutrients in rheumatoid arthritis: clinical and biochemical effects. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 839–845 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601883

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