Effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid and gamma-linolenic acid on acne vulgaris: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial

• Published in: Acta dermato-venereologica Vol. 94; no. 5; pp. 521 - 525
• Main Authors: Jung, Jae Yoon, Kwon, Hyuck Hoon, Hong, Jong Soo, Yoon, Ji Young, Park, Mi Sun, Jang, Mi Young, Suh, Dae Hun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sweden 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Acne Vulgaris - diet therapy; Acne Vulgaris - metabolism; Acne Vulgaris - pathology; Adolescent; Adult; alpha-Linolenic Acid - therapeutic use; Dietary Supplements; Docosahexaenoic Acids - therapeutic use; Double-Blind Method; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Interleukin-8 - metabolism; Male; Prospective Studies; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0001-5555; 1651-2057
• DOI: 10.2340/00015555-1802

This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and histological changes induced by dietary omega-3 fatty acid and γ-linoleic acid in acne vulgaris. A 10-week, randomised, controlled parallel dietary intervention study was performed in 45 participants with mild to moderate acne, which were allocated to either an omega-3 fatty acid group (2,000 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid), a γ-linoleic acid group (borage oil containing 400 mg γ-linoleic acid), or a control group. After 10 weeks of omega-3 fatty acid or γ-linoleic acid supplementation, inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions decreased significantly. Patient subjective assessment of improvement showed a similar result. Heamatoxylin & eosin staining of acne lesions demonstrated reductions in inflammation and immunohistochemical staining intensity for interleukin-8. No severe adverse effect was reported. This study shows for the first time that omega-3 fatty acid and γ-linoleic acid could be used as adjuvant treatments for acne patients.