P‐76 The effect of omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation on cutaneous and plasma fatty acid concentrations in dogs with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a fatty acid supplement on the concentration of essential fatty acids in the skin and plasma of dogs with atopic dermatitis. Twenty‐nine dogs with nonseasonal atopic dermatitis were supplemented with 1000 mg flax oil capsules, 3V Caps containing 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/capsule, or mineral oil as placebo at 1 capsule/5 kg once daily for 10 weeks in a randomized, double‐blinded trial. Dogs were evaluated by owners and clinicians before and after supplementation using a clinical scoring system. Blood samples and skin biopsies from the lateral chest were taken before and after 10 weeks of supplementation. Overall, daily intake of omega‐3 and ‐6 fatty acids was calculated for each patient before and after supplementation. Linoleic acid (LA), α‐linolenic acid (α‐LA), arachidonic acid (AA), EPA and DHA were determined in plasma and skin using gas chromatography. α‐Linolenic acid and EPA were significantly increased in plasma (P = 0.0165 and 0.0042, respectively), but not in skin after supplementation with 3V Caps. The concentration of α‐LA was increased after flax oil supplementation (P = 0.0226). Plasma AA decreased in dogs supplemented with 3V Caps (P = 0.0029). Supplements changed the plasma and skin fatty acid concentrations significantly. A significant correlation between clinical outcome and cutaneous or plasma concentration was not present for any of the fatty acids. Based on these results, supplementation with fatty acids changes the plasma, but not skin concentrations of fatty acids in dogs with atopic dermatitis. Funding: Shipley Foundation.