The therapeutic potential of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of inflammatory skin disorders
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2024.16.52652Keywords
omega-3 fatty acids, acne vulgaris, psoriasis, atopic dermatitisAbstract
Introduction and purpose: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are a well-known component of a nutritionally balanced diet. There is a wealth of evidence demonstrating that the ingestion of these substances enhances health, as they are involved in a multitude of metabolic processes that are essential for cellular functionality. However, the contemporary Western diet is distinguished by a reduction in the consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The objective of this review is to present the potential therapeutic efficacy of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in the most common inflammatory skin disorders, such as acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis vulgaris.
State of knowledge: Acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis vulgaris differ in terms of their pathophysiology. However, they are all characterised by underlying inflammatory processes. Omega-3 fatty acids have been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory properties. They are capable of modulating both the innate and the adaptive immune responses, thereby alleviating the symptoms of the aforementioned skin disorders.
Summary: Given the pluripotent anti-inflammatory qualities of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, it is reasonable to conclude that they have the potential to become an effective therapeutic tool in the management of inflammatory skin diseases.
References
Shahidi F, Ambigaipalan P. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Health Benefits 2018. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-food-111317.
Redruello-Requejo M, Samaniego-Vaesken M de L, Puga AM, Montero-Bravo A, Ruperto M, Rodríguez-Alonso P, et al. Omega-3 and Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intakes, Determinants and Dietary Sources in the Spanish Population: Findings from the ANIBES Study. Nutrients 2023;15:562. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15030562.
Stark KD, Van Elswyk ME, Higgins MR, Weatherford CA, Salem N. Global survey of the omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in the blood stream of healthy adults. Prog Lipid Res 2016;63:132–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plipres.2016.05.001.
Murphy RA, Devarshi PP, Ekimura S, Marshall K, Hazels Mitmesser S. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acid serum concentrations across life stages in the USA: an analysis of NHANES 2011–2012. BMJ Open 2021;11:e043301. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043301.
Kapoor R, Patil *. MiniReview Importance and production of omega-3 fatty acids from natural sources. vol. 18. 2011.
Innis SM. Perinatal biochemistry and physiology of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. J Pediatr 2003;143:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1067/S0022-3476(03)00396-2.
Calder PC. Mechanisms of action of (n-3) fatty acids. Journal of Nutrition 2012;142. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.111.155259.
Tapiero H, Nguyen Ba G, Couvreur P, Tew KD. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and eicosanoids in human health and pathologies. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 2002;56:215–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0753-3322(02)00193-2.
Sherratt SCR, Mason RP, Libby P, Steg PG, Bhatt DL. Do patients benefit from omega-3 fatty acids? Cardiovasc Res 2023;119:2884–901. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvad188.
Gao X, Su X, Han X, Wen H, Cheng C, Zhang S, et al. Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Mental Disorders: An Umbrella Review of Meta‐Analyses. Advances in Nutrition 2022;13:2217–36. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmac084.
Hartnett KB, Ferguson BJ, Hecht PM, Schuster LE, Shenker JI, Mehr DR, et al. Potential Neuroprotective Effects of Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Stress in Alzheimer’s Disease. Biomolecules 2023;13:1096. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13071096.
Patrick RP, Ames BN. Vitamin D and the omega‐3 fatty acids control serotonin synthesis and action, part 2: relevance for ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and impulsive behavior. The FASEB Journal 2015;29:2207–22. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.14-268342.
Wang J, Zhang Y, Zhao L. Omega-3 PUFA intake and the risk of digestive system cancers: A meta-analysis of observational studies. Medicine (United States) 2020;99:E20119. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000020119.
Wang Z, Zhao F, Xu C, Zhang Q, Ren H, Huang X, et al. Metabolic reprogramming in skin wound healing. Burns Trauma 2024;12. https://doi.org/10.1093/burnst/tkad047.
Serini S, Fasano E, Celleno L, Cittadini A, Calviello G. Potential of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in melanoma prevention. Nutr Rev 2014;72:255–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/nure.12093.
Pilkington SM, Rhodes LE. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Skin. Nutrition for Healthy Skin, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2010, p. 91–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12264-4_9.
Sawada Y, Saito-Sasaki N, Nakamura M. Omega 3 Fatty Acid and Skin Diseases. Front Immunol 2021;11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.623052.
Vos T, Allen C, Arora M, Barber RM, Bhutta ZA, Brown A, et al. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. The Lancet 2016;388:1545–602. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31678-6.
Purdy S, De Berker D. Acne. Br Med J 2006;333:949–53. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38987.606701.80.
Kucharska A, Szmurło A, Sinska B. Significance of diet in treated and untreated acne vulgaris. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2016;33:81–6. https://doi.org/10.5114/ada.2016.59146.
Ryguła I, Pikiewicz W, Kaminiów K. Impact of Diet and Nutrition in Patients with Acne Vulgaris. Nutrients 2024;16:1476. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16101476.
Baldwin H, Tan J. Effects of Diet on Acne and Its Response to Treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol 2021;22:55–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-020-00542-y.
Melnik BC, Schmitz G. Role of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, hyperglycaemic food and milk consumption in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Exp Dermatol 2009;18:833–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0625.2009.00924.x.
Bowe WP, Joshi SS, Shalita AR. Diet and acne. J Am Acad Dermatol 2010;63:124–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2009.07.043.
Conforti C, Agozzino M, Emendato G, Fai A, Fichera F, Marangi GF, et al. Acne and diet: a review. Int J Dermatol 2022;61:930–4. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.15862.
Guertler A, Neu K, Fiedler T, Kuna AC, Kämmerer T, Lill D, et al. Clinical effects of omega-3 fatty acids on acne vulgaris. JDDG - Journal of the German Society of Dermatology 2022;20:1023–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddg.14779.
Balić A, Vlašić D, Žužul K, Marinović B, Mokos ZB. Omega-3 versus Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020;21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21030741.
Jung JY, Kwon HH, Hong JS, Yoon JY, Park MS, Jang MY, et al. Effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid and gamma-linolenic acid on acne vulgaris: A randomised, double-blind, controlled trial. Acta Derm Venereol 2014;94:521–6. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-1802.
Thomsen BJ, Chow EY, Sapijaszko MJ. The Potential Uses of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dermatology: A Review. J Cutan Med Surg 2020;24:481–94. https://doi.org/10.1177/1203475420929925.
Cong TX, Hao D, Wen X, Li XH, He G, Jiang X. From pathogenesis of acne vulgaris to anti-acne agents. Arch Dermatol Res 2019;311:337–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-019-01908-x.
Rubin MG, Kim K, Logan AC. Acne vulgaris, mental health and omega-3 fatty acids: A report of cases. Lipids Health Dis 2008;7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-511X-7-36.
Weidinger S, Beck LA, Bieber T, Kabashima K, Irvine AD. Atopic dermatitis. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2018;4. https://doi.org/10.1038/S41572-018-0001-Z.
Weidinger S, Novak N. Atopic dermatitis. Lancet 2016;387:1109–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00149-X.
Kolb L, Ferrer-Bruker SJ. Atopic Dermatitis. StatPearls 2023.
Thomsen SF. Atopic Dermatitis: Natural History, Diagnosis, and Treatment. ISRN Allergy 2014;2014:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/354250.
David Boothe W, Tarbox JA, Tarbox MB. Atopic Dermatitis: Pathophysiology. Adv Exp Med Biol 2017;1027:21–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64804-0_3.
Thomsen SF. Atopic Dermatitis: Natural History, Diagnosis, and Treatment. ISRN Allergy 2014;2014:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/354250.
Orciani M, Campanati A, Caffarini M, Ganzetti G, Consales V, Lucarini G, et al. T helper (Th)1, Th17 and Th2 imbalance in mesenchymal stem cells of adult patients with atopic dermatitis: at the origin of the problem. Br J Dermatol 2017;176:1569–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/BJD.15078.
Maintz L, Bieber T, Simpson HD, Demessant-Flavigny AL. From Skin Barrier Dysfunction to Systemic Impact of Atopic Dermatitis: Implications for a Precision Approach in Dermocosmetics and Medicine. J Pers Med 2022;12. https://doi.org/10.3390/JPM12060893.
Lin JY, Ma LJ, Yuan JP, Yu P, Bai BX. Causal effects of fatty acids on atopic dermatitis: A Mendelian randomization study. Front Nutr 2023;10. https://doi.org/10.3389/FNUT.2023.1083455.
van Smeden J, Janssens M, Kaye ECJ, Caspers PJ, Lavrijsen AP, Vreeken RJ, et al. The importance of free fatty acid chain length for the skin barrier function in atopic eczema patients. Exp Dermatol 2014;23:45–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/EXD.12293.
van Gool CJAW, Thijs C, Henquet CJM, van Houwelingen AC, Dagnelie PC, Schrander J, et al. Gamma-linolenic acid supplementation for prophylaxis of atopic dermatitis--a randomized controlled trial in infants at high familial risk. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:943–51. https://doi.org/10.1093/AJCN/77.4.943.
Anandan C, Nurmatov U, Sheikh A. Omega 3 and 6 oils for primary prevention of allergic disease: systematic review and meta-analysis. Allergy 2009;64:840–8. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1398-9995.2009.02042.X.
Jia Y, Huang Y, Wang H, Jiang H. Effect of Prenatal Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Childhood Eczema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2023;184:21–32. https://doi.org/10.1159/000526366.
Eriksen BB, Kåre DL. Open trial of supplements of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals in atopic dermatitis. J Dermatolog Treat 2006;17:82–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546630600621946.
SØYLAND E, FUNK J, RAJKA G, SANDBERG M, THUNE P, RUSTAD L, et al. Dietary supplementation with very long-chain n-3 fatty acids in patients with atopic dermatitis. A double-blind, multicentre study. Br J Dermatol 1994;130:757–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1365-2133.1994.TB03414.X.
Mayser P, Mayer K, Mahloudjian M, Benzing S, Krämer HJ, Schill WB, et al. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of n-3 versus n-6 fatty acid-based lipid infusion in atopic dermatitis. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 2002;26:151–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0148607102026003151.
Parisi R, Symmons DPM, Griffiths CEM, Ashcroft DM. Global epidemiology of psoriasis: A systematic review of incidence and prevalence. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2013;133:377–85. https://doi.org/10.1038/jid.2012.339.
M Griffiths CE, Armstrong AW, Gudjonsson JE, W N Barker JN. Psoriasis. vol. 397. 2021.
Rendon A, Schäkel K. Psoriasis pathogenesis and treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2019;20. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20061475.
Clark CCT, Taghizadeh M, Nahavandi M, Jafarnejad S. Efficacy of ω-3 supplementation in patients with psoriasis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Rheumatol 2019;38:977–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-019-04456-x.
Honda T, Kabashima K. Current understanding of the role of dietary lipids in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. J Dermatol Sci 2019;94:314–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2019.05.003.
Qin S, Wen J, Bai XC, Chen TY, Zheng RC, Zhou G Bin, et al. Endogenous n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids protect against imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation via the IL-17/IL-23 axis. Mol Med Rep 2014;9:2097–104. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2014.2136.
Su R, Zhao S, Zhang J, Cao M, Peng S. Metabolic influences on T cell in psoriasis: a literature review. Front Immunol 2023;14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1279846.
Chen X, Hong S, Sun X, Xu W, Li H, Ma T, et al. Efficacy of fish oil and its components in the management of psoriasis: A systematic review of 18 randomized controlled trials. Nutr Rev 2020;78:827–40. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuz098.
Upala S, Yong WC, Theparee T, Sanguankeo A. Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on disease severity in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review. Int J Rheum Dis 2017;20:442–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/1756-185X.13051.
Jarosz M, Rychlik E, Stoś K, Charzewska Jadwiga. Normy żywienia dla populacji Polski i ich zastosowanie. Vol. 83. Warsaw, Poland: Narodowy Instytut Zdrowia Publicznego-Państwowy Zakład Higieny, 2020.
National Academies of Sciences E and M. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2005.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fact Sheet for Health Professionals 2023. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/ (accessed February 15, 2023).
Mariamenatu AH, Abdu EM. Overconsumption of Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) versus Deficiency of Omega-3 PUFAs in Modern-Day Diets: The Disturbing Factor for Their “Balanced Antagonistic Metabolic Functions” in the Human Body. J Lipids 2021;2021:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8848161.
Patterson E, Wall R, Fitzgerald GF, Ross RP, Stanton C. Health Implications of High Dietary Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. J Nutr Metab 2012;2012:1–16. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/539426.
Choudhury P, Gogoi B, Gogoi N, Chandra Talukdar N, Devi R, Kumar Samanta S, et al. Exploring the Role of Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratio in Disease Management: Insights from Dietary Impact and Molecular Docking Analyses. vol. 2. n.d.
Naeem Z, Zukunft S, Huard A, Hu J, Hammock BD, Weigert A, et al. Role of the soluble epoxide hydrolase in keratinocyte proliferation and sensitivity of skin to inflammatory stimuli. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 2024;171:116127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116127.
Nowowiejska J, Baran A, Flisiak I. Lipid Alterations and Metabolism Disturbances in Selected Inflammatory Skin Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023;24:7053. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087053.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Emilia Wójcik, Anna Korczak, Olga Łopacińska, Oliwia Szewczyk, Karolina Czarnecka, Katarzyna Burda, Aleksandra Korn, Ewa Olek, Katarzyna Stańczyk, Justyna Jędrzejczyk
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 234
Number of citations: 0
