Effect of administration of gamma-linolenic acid on the fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids and cholesteryl esters in patients with cystic fibrosis.

This study examined the effects of supplementing patients with cystic fibrosis daily for 4 weeks with 1,500 mg borage oil, containing 330 mg gamma-linolenic acid, on the fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids (PL) and cholesteryl esters (CE). Vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were also measured before and after treatment. In serum PL the content of arachidonic acid (AA) increased and that of palmitic acid decreased significantly after borage oil administration. In serum CE dihomogamma-linolenic acid increased whereas docosahexaenoic acid decreased significantly. In this lipid class, AA and the sum of AA plus its precursor, dihomogamma-linolenic acid, increased significantly with the dose fed. A positive correlation was found between change in vital capacity and change in linoleic acid content of serum CE and AA content of serum PL.