Trial Information

The Effect of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on UV-induced Immunosuppression

Skin cancer is one of the most common human cancers with a rising incidence and considerable
negative impact on human health. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in sunlight is the
major aetiological factor in skin cancer initiation and progression. Human case-control
studies have reported an inverse relationship between dietary fish or omega-3
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake and occurrence of non-melanoma skin cancer. Omega-3
PUFA have the potential to reduce the risk of photocarcinogenesis primarily by their ability
to reduce production of prostaglandin E2 and consequently photoimmunosuppression. To date,
no studies have assessed the impact of omega-3 PUFA on skin photoimmunosuppression in
humans.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential of dietary omega-3 PUFA to protect against UVR-induced
cutaneous immunosuppression in humans.

STUDY DESIGN: A double-blind randomised controlled nutritional study in 64 healthy human
volunteers with nickel sensitivity. Volunteers will receive 3 months dietary supplementation
with either omega-3 PUFA (n=32) or gelatine (n=32) both provided in identical gelatine
capsules.

The aim is to quantify the influence of omega-3 PUFA on:

1. UVR-induced suppression of clinical contact hypersensitivity (CHS) responses

2. UVR-induced modulation of epidermal Langerhans cell trafficking

3. UVR-induced modulation of levels of immunoregulatory mediators