The effect of gamma-linolenic acid on clinical status, red cell fatty acid composition and membrane microviscosity in infants with atopic dermatitis

A double blind placebo-controlled study of two doses of gamma-linolenic acid, provided by evening primrose oil (EPO, Epogam®, Searle, U.K.), in children with atopic dermatitis was performed: 1) to examine the effect of gamma-linolenic acid administration on the clinical status of children with atopic dermatitis and abnormalities of IgE-mediated immune responses compared to those without such IgE abnormalities; 2) to investigate the effect of gamma-linolenic acid on red cell fatty acid composition and 3) to assess whether treatment with gamma-linolenic acid induced changes in red cell membrane microviscosity