[Effect of short-term administration of sunflower oil on the blood serum level of linoleic and arachidonic acids and lipids in multiple sclerosis].

Patients with multiple sclerosis had an oral load of sunflower seed oil in daily doses of 40 g during five days. This daily doses contained 27 g of linoleic acid (LA). Prior and after diet supplementation with sunflower seed oil the levels of linoleic and arachidonic acids were determined in the serum of patients. The values were expressed as relative percentages of total fatty acids. Before addition of sunflower oil to the diet the serum levels of linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) were in these patients significantly lower than in controls amounting to 17.0% and 1.05% (p less than 0.001). After addition of sunflower oil the levels of LA and AA rose to 32.7% and 3.02%. The concentration of total lipids and non-esterified fatty acids in the serum increased also significantly after addition of sunflower oil. Determinations of LA and AA 10 days after withdrawal of sunflower oil showed that their levels were 23.7% and 1.95% respectively. In 2 patients addition of sunflower oil only slightly changed the very low serum LA level. These results indicate that LA and AA deficiency in patients with multiple sclerosis has the character of a non-specific dietary deficiency mainly, although the role of genetic factors controlling the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids cannot be ruled out.