Topical fish oil in psoriasis--a controlled and blind study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) compete with arachidonic acid for lipoperoxidases.
• This competition yields less biologically active leukotrienes, potentially benefiting skin conditions like psoriasis.
• Topical application of fish oil (FO) is explored as a therapeutic strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of topical fish oil (FO) compared to liquid paraffin (LP) in treating psoriasis.
• To assess the impact of FO and LP on key psoriasis symptoms including erythema, scaling, plaque thickness, and itching.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled single-blind study was conducted with 25 psoriatic patients.
• Treatments involved daily topical application of FO or LP under occlusive dressings for 4 weeks.
• Weekly assessments monitored erythema, scaling, plaque thickness, and itching.

Main Results:

• Both FO and LP showed significant improvement in erythema and scaling compared to baseline.
• FO demonstrated statistically significant improvement in plaque thickness, unlike LP.
• FO showed superior overall efficacy compared to LP after 4 weeks, with good patient acceptance despite minor adverse effects.

Conclusions:

• Topical fish oil (FO) is more effective than liquid paraffin (LP) for treating psoriasis symptoms under occlusive dressings.
• FO offers a promising therapeutic option for managing psoriasis, particularly for plaque thickness and scaling.
• Further research may explore optimized formulations and delivery methods for topical omega-3 fatty acids in dermatology.