The effect of dietary supplementation of enriched marine oil on serum levels of ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in multiple sclerosis

The serum fatty acid composition has been investigated in seven patients with slowly progressive multiple sclerosis and in five control individuals. The serum level of tymnodonic (C20:5 ω-3) and clupadonic acid (C22:6 ω-3) has been shown to be normal in multiple sclerosis patients. Before diet supplementation with Maxepa there was significant decrease of linolenic (C18:3) and eicosanoic (C20:1) acids, as well as an increase of palmitic acid (C 16:0) in sera of MS patients. The variation in the serum fatty acid pattern in MS patients after 1 week diet supplementation with Maxepa has been measured for the first time. There was significant increase in serum clupadonic, tymnodonic and arachi-donic acid (C 20:4 ω-6) in MS patients who have been given Maxepa. Linolenic (C 18:3) and eicosanoic (C20:1) acids remained not supplemented and palmitic acid (C16:0) was still increased. It has been suggested that the diet supplementation in slowly progressive multiple sclerosis should consist of both ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.