Research
GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid)
23 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.
Studies
Sorted by quality and recency
Is there a beneficial effect of gamma-linolenic acid supplementation on body fat in postmenopausal hypertensive women? A prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
Prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT involving 96 postmenopausal hypertensive women. The study evaluated the effects of gamma-linolenic acid supplementation on blood pressure and body composition. Significant reductions in systolic and diastolic pressure and changes in waist-hip ratio were observed in the gamma-linolenic acid group compared to placebo.
Evidence of effectiveness of herbal medicinal products in the treatment of arthritis. Part 2: Rheumatoid arthritis.
This meta-analysis updates a previous systematic review on herbal medicinal products (HMPs) for rheumatoid arthritis. It includes 20 studies, focusing on oils containing gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and Tripterygium wilfordii. GLA doses ≥1400 mg/day showed benefits in alleviating rheumatic complaints, while lower doses were ineffective. Tripterygium wilfordii also showed favorable results, but further research is needed to confirm effectiveness and safety.
Randomized, double-blind trial of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation with fish oil and borage oil in preterm infants.
RCT of 238 preterm infants comparing LCPUFA-supplemented formula with gamma-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid to unsupplemented formula. LCPUFA-supplemented boys had significantly higher Bayley MDI scores. Supplemented infants showed greater weight and length gain, especially in boys, with no adverse effects.
Herbal therapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis.
Systematic review assessing the effectiveness of herbal therapies in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria, with seven comparing gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) to placebo. Some improvement in clinical outcomes was found, but methodology and study quality varied. Better quality studies suggest potential relief of pain, morning stiffness, and joint tenderness.
Neuroaspis PLP10™, a nutritional formula rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with antioxidant vitamins including gamma-tocopherol in early Parkinson's disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
RCT of 40 Parkinson's disease patients comparing Neuroaspis PLP10, a formula rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with antioxidant vitamins, to placebo over 30 months. Neuroaspis PLP10 significantly delayed disease progression according to UPDRS.
[Efficacy of omega-6 essential fatty acid treatment before and after photorefractive keratectomy].
Prospective randomized study testing the effects of a supplement containing omega-6 fatty acids, B vitamins, and trace elements on PRK outcomes. The omega-6 group showed statistically significant improvements in Schirmer test, fluorescein staining, and epithelial state compared to control, suggesting benefits in optimizing and stabilizing PRK outcomes.
Gamma-linolenate reduces weight regain in formerly obese humans.
Double-blind RCT of 50 formerly obese humans comparing 890 mg/d of gamma-linolenate (GLA) to olive oil over 1 year. GLA group showed significantly less weight regain compared to controls, suggesting GLA's role in reducing weight regain after major weight loss.
Gamma-linolenic acid supplementation for prophylaxis of atopic dermatitis--a randomized controlled trial in infants at high familial risk.
RCT investigating the preventive effect of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) supplementation on atopic dermatitis in infants at risk. GLA supplementation showed a favorable trend in reducing the severity of atopic dermatitis but no significant effects on other atopic outcomes or total serum IgE concentration.
Effect of linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid on tear production, tear clearance and on the ocular surface after photorefractive keratectomy.
RCT evaluating the effect of linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) on tear production, tear clearance, and the ocular surface after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in 60 subjects. The treated group showed improved tear production and clearance compared to the untreated group.
Suppression of leukotriene B4 generation by ex-vivo neutrophils isolated from asthma patients on dietary supplementation with gammalinolenic acid-containing borage oil: possible implication in asthma.
RCT of 24 mild-moderate asthma patients comparing 2.0 g daily GLA (borage oil) to corn oil placebo for 12 months. GLA increased DGLA and PMN-15-HETrE, reducing proinflammatory LTB4 generation, but did not significantly suppress asthma scores. Demonstrated dietary modulation of inflammatory mediators without side effects.
The influence of different combinations of gamma-linolenic, stearidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids on the fatty acid composition of blood lipids and mononuclear cells in human volunteers.
This study investigated the effects of stearidonic acid (STA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on the fatty acid composition of blood lipids and mononuclear cells in humans. Healthy young males consumed various oil blends for 12 weeks. STA, in combination with GLA, increased the proportion of EPA in some lipid fractions, suggesting STA-rich plant oils may increase EPA status. The study indicates that combinations of GLA, STA, and EPA can subtly manipulate lipid pool compositions.
Calcium, gamma-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation in senile osteoporosis.
Pilot RCT of 65 elderly women testing the effects of GLA + EPA supplementation on bone health. Over 18 months, the treatment group maintained lumbar spine density and increased femoral bone density, while the placebo group saw decreases. Continued treatment showed further increases in bone mineral density.
The effect of gamma-linolenic acid on clinical status, red cell fatty acid composition and membrane microviscosity in infants with atopic dermatitis.
A double-blind placebo-controlled study examined the effects of gamma-linolenic acid from evening primrose oil on children with atopic dermatitis. The study found significant improvement in clinical severity and increased n-6 fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes, particularly in high-dose groups. No change in red cell membrane microviscosity was observed.
The effect of gamma-linolenic acid, an in vitro cytostatic substance contained in evening primrose oil, on primary liver cancer. A double-blind placebo controlled trial.
Double-blind placebo controlled trial using Evening Primrose Oil as a source of gamma-linolenic acid in primary liver cancer patients. No significant effect on survival time or liver size, but a significant beneficial effect on Gamma Glutamyl transferase values was observed, indicating improved liver function.
The role of essential fatty acids and prostaglandins in the premenstrual syndrome.
The paper investigates the role of gamma-linolenic acid, found in evening primrose oil, in treating premenstrual syndrome. Three double-blind, placebo-controlled studies and two large open studies showed that evening primrose oil effectively alleviates symptoms like depression, irritability, breast pain, tenderness, and fluid retention associated with the syndrome.
Reduced levels of prostaglandin precursors in the blood of atopic patients: defective delta-6-desaturase function as a biochemical basis for atopy.
Study of 50 young adults with atopic eczema showing elevated cis-linoleic acid and deficit of gamma-linolenic acid and prostaglandin precursors. A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with gamma-linolenic acid (evening primrose oil) partially corrected biochemical abnormalities and clinical state.
Pharmacokinetic data of gamma-linolenic acid in healthy volunteers after the administration of evening primrose oil (Epogam).
Pharmacokinetic study of gamma-linolenic acid in 6 healthy volunteers after administration of evening primrose oil (Epogam). The study measured serum concentration time curves of gamma-linolenic acid and other fatty acids, showing increased AUC24h and Cmax for gamma-linolenic acid. No significant increase was observed for its metabolic products, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid.
Clinical and experimental study on the long-term effect of dietary gamma-linolenic acid on plasma lipids, platelet aggregation, thromboxane formation, and prostacyclin production.
Study on the effects of dietary gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) on plasma lipids, platelet function, and vascular prostacyclin production in 12 hyperlipidemic patients and 12 rats over 4 months. GLA supplementation decreased plasma triglyceride levels by 48% and increased HDL-cholesterol by 22% in humans. It also reduced platelet aggregation and serum thromboxane B2 by 45% in both humans and animals, suggesting cardiovascular protection.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with gammalinolenic acid.
A 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the efficacy of gammalinolenic acid in 37 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Gammalinolenic acid significantly reduced signs and symptoms of disease activity, including tender and swollen joint counts, compared to placebo. The treatment was well-tolerated with no adverse reactions leading to withdrawal.
[Treatment of atopic dermatitis with borage seed oil (Glandol)--a time series analytic study].
A study was conducted with borage oil (Glandol) against palm seed oil as placebo in 12 patients with atopic dermatitis. Five out of seven patients treated with borage oil showed a favorable effect on skin changes assessed by the ADASI-score, compared to one out of five in the placebo group.
The relationship between schizophrenia and essential fatty acid and eicosanoid metabolism.
The paper discusses the relationship between schizophrenia and essential fatty acid metabolism, highlighting impaired metabolism of prostaglandin E1 and abnormal EFA biochemistry in schizophrenia. Clinical trials of PGE1 and its precursors, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), have shown modest therapeutic effects.
Gamma-linolenic acid for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: placebo-controlled comparison to D-amphetamine.
In a Latin-square double-crossover study, 18 boys with ADHD received placebo, D-amphetamine, and Efamol (evening primrose oil with gamma-linolenic acid). Teachers' ratings showed a significant trend of Efamol effect on Conners Hyperactivity Factor, but the study does not establish Efamol as an effective treatment.
Alteration of the cellular fatty acid profile and the production of eicosanoids in human monocytes by gamma-linolenic acid.
Open, uncontrolled study administering borage seed oil providing 1.1 gm/day of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) to 7 normal controls and 7 rheumatoid arthritis patients for 12 weeks. GLA increased dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid in mononuclear cells and reduced production of inflammatory eicosanoids, with apparent clinical improvement in rheumatoid arthritis patients.