ASTHMA AND FATTY ACID IMBALANCE: IS THE OMEGA-3 SUPPLEMENT BENEFICIAL IN ASTHMA?

Abstract

Introduction. Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease with the characteristic of eosinophilic infiltration, mucus hypersecretion, and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). Lipid mediators are one of mediators that were suggested to be involved in asthma pathophysiology. Then, the pro-inflammatory mediators initiate inflammation while pro-resolving mediators are produced at later stage in the resolution phase to bring back the cellular homeostasis. Pro-resolving mediators can be produced from omega-3 (n-3), one of the essential fatty acid needed from food. Method. This research is a literature review based on some sources like books and journals with the same topic. Result & Analysis. The relation between diet, especially fatty acid, and the risk of lung inflammatory process, such as asthma has long been suggested. The metabolites of fatty acids and the fatty acid itself become decisive factors in regulating the persistence and resolution of bronchopulmonary inflammation in asthma. The high concentration of n-3 in vitro decreases production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, cytokines, and ROS that play critical roles in inflammatory process. Discussion. Since asthma is known to be mainly caused by an inflammatory process, it has been hypothesized that high intake of n-3 fatty acid may be beneficial in prevention and management of asthma.