Clinica Oculistica, Di.N.O.G.M.I., University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 5, 16135 Genoa, Italy.
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University, Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 4, 8036 Graz, Austria.
Prog Retin Eye Res. 2017 Nov;61:23-34. doi: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2017.05.003. Epub 2017 May 19.
Dry eye is a prevalent condition and one of the main reasons for patients to seek ophthalmic medical care. A low systemic level of omega fatty acids is a risk factor for dry eye disease (DED). There are two groups of essential fatty acids (EFAs): the omega-6 (n-6) family and the omega-3 (n-3) family. Humans evolved on a diet in which the n-6:n-3 ratio was approximately 1:1, however the current Western diet tends to be deficient in n-3 EFAs and this ratio is typically much higher (approaching 17:1). The metabolism of EFAs generates four new families of local acting mediators: lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins. These molecules have anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution properties. We present a critical overview of animal model studies and human clinical trials that have shown that dietary modification and oral supplementation could be complementary therapeutic strategies for the treatment of dry eye. Furthermore, we discuss preliminary results of the topical application of n-3 and n-6 EFAs because these molecules may act as natural anti-inflammatory agents with positive changes of the entire ocular surface system.
干眼症是一种常见疾病，也是患者寻求眼科医疗护理的主要原因之一。ω 脂肪酸的全身水平低是干眼症（DED）的一个风险因素。必需脂肪酸（EFAs）有两组：ω-6（n-6）族和 ω-3（n-3）族。人类的进化饮食中 n-6:n-3 的比例约为 1:1，然而，目前的西方饮食往往缺乏 n-3 EFAs，而且这个比例通常要高得多（接近 17:1）。EFAs 的代谢会产生四种新的局部作用介质家族：脂氧素、解析素、保护素和maresin。这些分子具有抗炎和促解决的特性。我们对动物模型研究和人类临床试验进行了批判性综述，这些研究表明，饮食改变和口服补充可能是治疗干眼症的补充治疗策略。此外，我们还讨论了 n-3 和 n-6 EFAs 的局部应用的初步结果，因为这些分子可能作为天然抗炎剂，对整个眼表面系统产生积极的变化。
