PubMed Abstract PMID: 8214997
This abstract also posted in the files section of the K9Kitchen discussion group.

Monica's Comments
This study is relevant for owners with arthritic dogs or dogs who have suffered some sort of joint injury. The authors found that Gammalinolenic acid (an EFA derived from the oils of borage and evening primrose seeds) supressed the inflammation commonly found in these conditions -- in fact, "a well-tolerated and effective treatment for active rheumatoid arthritis." No adverse reactions were noted, either.

The full study is posted at the Annals of Internal Medicine at no charge.

The Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical efficacy and side effects of gammalinolenic acid, a plant-seed-derived essential fatty acid that suppresses inflammation and joint tissue injury in animal models.

DESIGN
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 24-week trial.

SETTING
Rheumatology clinic of a university hospital.

PATIENTS
Thirty-seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis and active synovitis.

INTERVENTION
Treatment with 1.4 g/d gammalinolenic acid in borage seed oil or cotton seed oil (placebo).

MEASUREMENTS
Physicians' and patients' global assessment of disease activity; joint tenderness, joint swelling, morning stiffness, grip strength, and ability to do daily activities.

RESULTS
Treatment with gammalinolenic acid resulted in clinically important reduction in the signs and symptoms of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (P < 0.05). In contrast, patients given a placebo showed no change or showed worsening of disease. Gammalinolenic acid reduced the number of tender joints by 36%, the tender joint score by 45%, swollen joint count by 28%, and the swollen joint score by 41%, whereas the placebo group did not show significant improvement in any measure. Overall clinical responses (significant change in four measures) were also better in the treatment group (P < 0.05). No patients withdrew from gammalinolenic acid treatment because of adverse reactions.

CONCLUSION
Gammalinolenic acid in doses used in this study is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for active rheumatoid arthritis. Gammalinolenic acid is available worldwide as a component of evening primrose and borage seed oils. It is usually taken in far lower doses than used in this trial. It is not approved in the United States for the treatment of any condition and should not be viewed as therapy for any disease. Further controlled studies of its use in rheumatoid arthritis are warranted.

Study Authors
Leventhal LJ, Boyce EG, Zurier RB
University of Pennsylvania, Graduate Hospital
Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia

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