Potential new approach to cystic fibrosis treatment reported

October 9, 1999
Web posted at: 10:46 p.m. EDT (0246 GMT)

In this story: Signs of disease reversed Large doses of supplements not advised RELATED STORIES, SITES

SEATTLE (CNN) -- Researchers have discovered that high doses of a specific fatty acid can reduce symptoms of cystic fibrosis in mice -- a finding that potentially could lead to a treatment for a disease that is now incurable in humans.

People with cystic fibrosis exhibit high levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and low levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Researchers who bred mice with the genetic defect that causes cystic fibrosis found that the mice exhibited the same imbalance of fatty acids.

Signs of disease reversed

But in mice that were fed large doses of DHA for a week, the imbalance was corrected and signs of cystic fibrosis in the pancreas, intestines and lungs were reversed, researchers said.

The findings were presented Saturday at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's annual scientific conference in Seattle.

While the findings are preliminary and involved only animals, researchers said the findings might also apply to people with cystic fibrosis because the fatty acid imbalance is similar. Experts in the disease attending the conference say they are encouraged by the findings.

Cystic fibrosis is a fatal hereditary genetic disease in which a thick, sticky mucus clogs airways in the lungs, triggering lung infections. The average patient dies at 32, and, while doctors can treat symptoms with antibiotics and agents to loosen mucus, there is no cure.

Large doses of supplements not advised

DHA is a fatty acid found in fish oils and breast milk, and it is also available without a prescription as a dietary supplement. However, researchers cautioned that taking DHA supplements in large amounts can be harmful and that the DHA derivative would have to be reformulated to be useful as a treatment in people.