WO2002092779A2

WO2002092779A2 - Method for enriching tissues in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

Info

Publication number: WO2002092779A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/015747
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc E. Surette; Kenneth M. Tramposch
Original assignee: Pilot Therapeutics, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-05-17
Filing date: 2002-05-17
Publication date: 2002-11-21
Also published as: AU2002309931A1; WO2002092779A3

Abstract

A method is disclosed for the in vivo enrichment of mammalian tissues in long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by administering a source of stearidonic acid, preferably Echium oil, in an amount sufficient to effect such enrichment.

Description

METHOD FOR ENRICHING TISSUES IN LONG CHAIN POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS

Marc E. Surette and Kenneth M. Tramposch

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for enriching tissues in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as treating a variety of ailments or pathological conditions by the administration of a source of stearidonic acid. This invention also relates to the use of stearidonic acid as a dietary supplement for females during pregnancy and lactation.

Background of the Invention

Several publications are referred to in this application, by author, journal name and year of publication, in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. Full citations for these references are found at the end of the specification. The entire disclosure of each of these publications is incorporated by reference herein.

Numerous studies have shown that when humans consume marine oils containing 20- and 22-carbon n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) , per se, their tissue lipids become enriched in these PUFAs, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n- 3), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) . By contrast, the consumption by humans of oils containing precursors of the above-mentioned long chain n-3 fatty acids has little impact on the tissue content of these longer chain 20 and 22-carbon n-3 fatty acids. For example, the consumption by healthy humans of as much as 38 grams per day of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3 n-3) for 3 months resulted in only a 30% and a 42% increase over baseline in the EPA content of serum cholesterol esters and phospholipids, respectively. No significant increase in EPA was measured in the triglyceride fraction of serum. Also, no increase in DHA content was measured in any lipid fraction (Singer et al . , PLEFA, 1986) . However, the consumption of only 2.2 grams of EPA and 3.5 grams of DHA per day by subjects in the same study resulted in the enrichment of serum EPA content by 525% and 726% over baseline in the triglyceride and cholesterol ester fractions, respectively. An increase in DHA of 1116% and 270% over baseline was measured in the triglyceride and cholesterol ester fractions, respectively. A large number of other studies have also reported the limited conversion of dietary ALA to longer chain n-3 PUFA in humans consuming as much as 20 grams ALA per day (see, for example, Cunnane et al . , Br J Nutr., 1993; Kelley et al . , Lipids 1993). Therefore, in humans the conversion of 18:3n-3 to the longer chain n-3 PUFAs occurs, but to a limited degree.

Another 18-carbon n-3 fatty acid that is found in some dietary oils is stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4, n-3) . Although the body of information regarding the efficiency of conversion of this fatty acid to long chain 20- and 22-carbon fatty acids in humans tissues is comparatively less than for ALA, the studies which have been reported suggest that dietary oils enriched in SDA also have limited conversion to long chain 20- and 22-carbon n-3 fatty acids, as determined by their tissue content. Three studies have been reported involving consumption of black currant oil by humans, in which tissμe fatty acid composition was evaluated. Two articles have published the results of studies in which patients in an intensive care unit consumed a diet including black currant oil (which contains SDA) in an amount that delivered 5.7 grams ALA and 0.7 grams of SDA per day for 3 weeks. The fatty acid composition of red blood cell and plasma phospholipids was reported. In plasma phospholipids the only long chain n-3 fatty acid that showed a significant increase was DPA, which increased by 56% over baseline. The content of all other long chain n-3 fatty acids was not significantly changed. In red blood cell phospholipids, the only long chain n-3 fatty acid that significantly changed was EPA, which increased by 32% over baseline. Diboune et al . , J. Parenteral & Enteral Nutr. 1992; and Diboune et al . , Nutrition 1993. In the other reported study, individuals consumed black currant seed oil in an amount which delivered 0.13 grams of SDA and 0.65 grams of ALA per day. No changes compared to baseline in the long chain n-3 fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids were observed. Wu et al . , Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1999.

From the foregoing published reports, it will be appreciated that there is no conclusive evidence that would recommend administration of SDA as a way of effecting in vivo enrichment of tissues in PUFAs having 20 and 22 carbons in length, or of treating a pathological condition which can be alleviated by enhancing the level of such long chain PUFAs in mammalian tissues, or of serving as a dietary supplement for females during pregnancy or lactation.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a method for the in vivo enrichment of mammalian tissues or particulate blood components with at least one n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids having 20 and 22 carbons in length, which method comprises administering a source of stearidonic acid (SDA) in an amount sufficient to effect such enrichment.

The method described herein may be used to advantage in treating a variety of ailments and/or pathological conditions which can be alleviated by enriching tissues in long chain PUFAs. These include, without limitation, at least one selected from the group of selected from the group consisting of breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, an autoimmune disease, schizophrenia, depression, IgA nephropathy, sepsis, toxic shock, organ failure, renal inflammation, organ transplantation- associated diseases, coronary angioplasty, arrhythmia, risk reduction for Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis, atherosclerosis, atopic dermatitis, menstrual discomfort, cyclic breast pain, premature labor, gout, venous leg ulcers, chronic urticaria, Thyroiditis, primary dys enorrhoea, endometriosis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, psoriasis, acute yocardial infarction, glomerulonephritis, Crohn's disease, stroke, cardiovascular disesase, thrombosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) , arthritis, squa ous cell carcinoma, intestinal cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, testicular cancer, systemic Lupus erythematosus, early parturition, Lyme disease, muscle wasting, ankylosing spondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, childhood or juvenile arthritis, chronic back injury, fibromyalgia, infectious arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Pagets ' s Disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, polymyositis, dermato yositis, pseudogout, psoriatic arthritis, Raynaud's Syndrome, reactive arthritis, Reiter's Syndrome, repetitive stress injury, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sickle cell anemia, eczyma, and Sjδgrens Syndrome.

The method of the present invention can also be used prophylactically to inhibit the onset of the above-mentioned aliments and/or pathological conditions.

The method of the invention can also be of benefit to females during pregnancy, as well as to lactating mothers and their nursing infants, by effectively increasing the content of at least one n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid having 20 and 22 carbon atoms in length in breast milk.

The consumption of seed oil from the genus Echium, which has a substantial content of PUFAs, including stearidonic acid, provides a means of appreciably enriching human tissue with at least one long chain PUFA having 20 and 22 carbon atoms in length. Detailed Description of the Invention

The term "ailment" is used herein in accordance with its ordinary and accustomed meaning, to refer to a bodily disorder .

The expression "pathological condition" is also used herein in accordance with its ordinary and accustomed meaning, to refer to a defective state of health or disease state, which may be acute or chronic .

The expression "particulate blood components", as used herein is intended to signify blood cells, including leukocytes (all peripheral blood ononuclear cells) and erythrocytes , as well as platelets.

As used herein, the expression "source of stearidonic acid" refers to any composition of matter which provides SDA, otherwise known as C18:4n-3 or (all-Z) , 6, 9 , 12 , 15- octadecatetraenoic acid. The SDA source may be in various forms including, without limitation, the free acid, simple esters, e.g. ethyl esters or sterol esters, as well as diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids and the like.

The SDA may be obtained from natural sources . Plant materials are useful sources of SDA, particularly Echium seed oil, as will be described below in further detail. Additional SDA sources include seeds from a number of other species of the Family Boraginaceae, such as Hackelia, Lappula , Cynoqlossum, Arnblvnotus , and the like. N. Tsevegsuren and K. Aitzetmueller, J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc . , (1996) . Aquatic organisms that serve as suitable sources of SDA include, without limitation, organisms from the group of Undaria pinnatifida, Ceremiales ssp., Cryptonemiales ssp. , Nemalionales ssp., Laminariales ssp., Chordariales ssp. , Scvtosiphonales ssp., Desmarestiales ssp. ,

5 Fucales ssp. , Dictvotales ssp., Ulva lactuca, Ulva pertussa and microalgae. See, for example, K. Ishihara et al . , Biosci . Biotechnol . Biochem. (Nov. 2000) and Li et al . , Phytochemistry, (2002) .

A wide variety of plants having relatively high ALA

.0 content (i.e. above about 5% by weight of the fatty acid content of the seed oil) can be genetically modified to express delta -6 desaturase, thereby effecting the conversion of ALA to SDA in the seed. Representative examples of such genetically modified plant include, without limitation, species of Brassica, grown for

-5 production of Canola oil, and flax, from which linseed oil is obtained.

The source of SDA is conveniently administered as a fatty acyl compound mixture having a polyunsaturated fatty acid content of at least 65 wt.%, and including lino.leic acid in an

.0 amount from about 10 to about 35 wt.%, γ-linolenic acid in an amount from about 5 to about 50 wt.%, α-linoleic acid in an amount from about 15 to about 60 wt.% and stearidonic acid in an amount from about 15 to about 55 wt.%, these percentages being based on the total weight of the polyunsaturated fatty acid

15 content of the mixture. The polyunsaturated fatty acid content of the fatty acyl compound-containing mixture is determined on the basis of the relative amounts of free acid, when present as such in the mixture, or free acid produced upon hydrolysis of acid derivatives, such as esters, di- or triglycerides and phospholipids .

A preferred embodiment of fatty acyl compound- containing mixture for use in the method of this invention is obtainable from the seeds of the genus Echium, e.g. Echium plantagineum and Echium vulcraris (hereinafter referred to as "Echium oil" ) .

Echium oil contains a unique fatty acyl composition, which upon oral administration to humans results in an unexpectedly high level of enrichment in the EPA, DPA and eicosatetraenoic acid (20:4 n-3) content of mammalian tissue in vivo, as will be seen in the example section that follows.

Echium oil contains a substantial quantity (greater than 10 wt.%) of SDA, as well as large quantities of other polyunsaturated fatty acids, as set forth in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Fatty Acyl Composition (% by Weight) of Seed Oil from Echium Plantacreneum and Echium Vulqaris

Amount Amount

Fatty Acid (E. Plantaσeneum) (E. Vulσaris)

Palmitic acid 16:0 7.1 6.2 Stearic acid 18:0 3.7 2.0 Oleic acid 18:ln-9 15.8 8.0 Linoleic acid 18:2n-6 6 14.3 10.3 γ-Linolenic acid 18 3n-6 11.2 5.3 -Linolenic acid 18 3n-3 33.1 47.3 Stearidonic acid 18 4n-3 13.9 19.8 Others 0.9 1.1 Most preferred is the oil obtained from E. Plantagineum, which contains approximately equivalent amounts of SDA, GLA and linoleic acid. Echium oil also has elevated concentrations of ALA (more than double to triple that of other PUFAs) .

Oil from E. Plantagineum is commercially available from Croda International PLC of Great Britain. A commercial product can be obtained which is the basic seed extract, having the nominal fatty acid composition set forth in Table 1 above. Alternatively, a concentrated form of Echium oil may be used, if desired.

As can be seen from the above table, Echium oil also has saturated fatty acid and mono-unsaturated fatty acid components, which predominantly comprise C₁₆ and C₁₈ fatty acids.

There is no other natural oil known which contains the profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in Echium oil. Table 2 shows the fatty acyl compositions of the commercially- available oils which most closely approach that of Echium oil.

Table 2 : Fatty Acyl Compositions of Commercially-Available Oils

Percent of Fatty Acids

Evening Black

Primrose Borage Currant Fatty Acid Oil Oil Oil

Palmitic acid 16 0 5 11 6

Stearic acid 18 0 2 4 2

Oleic acid 18 ln-9 10 18 14

Linoleic acid (PUFA) 18 2n-6 74 40 48 γ-linolenic acid (PUFA) 18 3n-6 9 20 19 α-linolenic acid (PUFA) 18 3n-3 - <1 14

Stearidonic acid (PUFA) 18 4n-3 - - 2.5-4

Other - 7 -

One of the distinctive characteristics of Echium oil is its elevated content of SDA. Black currant oil, which has an SDA content of about 4% of the total fatty acids, is the only dietary oil which is anywhere near having the SDA content of Echium oil. SDA is a product of the desaturation of ALA. This desaturation step, which inserts a double bond in the carbon chain, is one of 3 steps required for the conversion of ALA to EPA (which is found in marine oils) , as represented below. 18:3 → 18:4 → 20:4 → 20:5 (ALA) (SDA) (EPA)

The source of stearidonic acid, as described above, may be administered as a dietary supplement, as part of a dietary supplement or as part of a complete nutritional product. When used as part of a complete nutritional product, it should be formulated with a protein source, a carbohydrate source and other additional lipids . The source of stearidonic acid may be in various physical forms, including liquid, semi-solid or solid, which may be administered as a unit dose, such as a tablet, a gelatin capsule, a flavored drink, or a powder that can be reconstituted into such a drink. The source of stearidonic acid may also be included as an ingredient in cooking oil, salad oil or dressing, sauce, syrup, mayonnaise, margarine, or the like. Preferably, the stearidonic acid source is in the form of a flavored emulsion that can be consumed neat or easily mixed in a drink or yogurt .

When the above-described fatty acyl compound-containing mixture is employed as the stearidonic acid source, it may be administered so as to deliver from about .0015 grams to about .35 grams of the fatty acyl compound-containing mixture per kilogram of patient body weight per day. A narrower range of about .01 about 0.1 grams of fatty acyl compound mixture per kilogram of body weight per day may be used, if desired. Satisfactory results can be expected after administration of from about .04 to about .35 grams of the fatty acyl compound-containing mixture per kilogram of patient body weight per day.

Insofar as is known, the extent to which tissue is enriched with n-3 PUFAs in accordance with the present invention is unprecedented. Enrichment of at least 100%, determined as a function of elevation of n-3 PUFA level relative to a pre- administration baseline level, is readily achieved. As exemplified herein-below, the increased tissue levels of n-3 PUFAs, as indicated by measurement of fatty acid content of plasma and granulocytes, was surprisingly found to be about 200% over baseline in the case of 22:5 n-3 and at least 300% over baseline in the case of 20:4 n-3 and 20:5 n-3.

The source of stearidonic acid used in carrying out the method of this invention may be administered enterally, with oral administration being the preferred route.

Stearidonic acid-containing food products for dietary supplements may be formulated according to any known method for the manufacture of such goods, and may include at least one additive selected from the group of taste improving substances, such as sweetening agents or flavoring agents, stabilizers, emulsifiers, coloring agents and preservatives in order to provide a palatable preparation. Vitamins, minerals and trace elements for many physiologically acceptable sources may also be included in the stearidonic acid-containing formulation.

The following examples are provided to illustrate certain embodiments of the invention. They are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

Example I A preferred composition for carrying out the method of this invention is in the form of an emulsion. An example of such a composition is the following:

Constituents Total Weight (q)

Purified water 49.2 g

Ascorbyl palmitate 0.2g

Sorbic acid 0.15g

Sucrose 5g

Glycerin 5g

Xanthan gum 0.4g Echium Plantagineum Seed

Oil 35g

Flavor (fruit flavoring) 5g

Colorant 0.05g

Total lOOg

The composition is conveniently packaged in an oxygen- free environment in single daily dosage containers made of oxygen impermeable materials such as foil-lined pouches. A daily dosage of approximately 30g per day of the above composition would provide about lOg of Echium oil (about 1.5 of SDA) per day. The relative amounts of ingredients in the composition may be varied so as to deliver about 3 to about 30 grams of Echium oil per day. A daily dosage of SDA which provides the tissue enrichment with n-3 PUFAs described herein is in the range of about 0.15 to about 10 grams per day, and preferably in the range of about 0.75 to about 5 grams per day. When the source of SDA is administered to females during pregnancy or lactation, the daily dosage of SDA is preferably in the range of about 1.15 to about 1.0 grams per day. Of course, the amount of the SDA source administered in accordance with this invention will vary depending on the age and weight of the recipient.

Example II Human volunteers consumed seed oil from E . Plantagineum which delivered 1.8 grams of SDA and 4.3 grams of ALA per day for 28 days. These amounts of SDA and ALA can be provided, for example, by a fatty acyl compound mixture comprising 15 grams of Echium oil, containing on the order of 12 wt.% SDA and 29 wt.% ALA. When the fatty acid composition of plasma was determined in these individuals a far greater enrichment in long chain 20- and 22-carbon n-3 fatty acids was observed, relative to what would have been anticipated in view of the above-mentioned published reports, based solely on the ALA and SDA content of Echium oil. The individuals showed surprisingly high elevations over baseline in eicosatetraenoic acid (530% increase) , EPA (325% increase) and DPA (180% increase) . No significant increase was seen in plasma DHA content. The fatty acid composition of blood polymorphonuclear granulocytes was also measured and similarly dramatic increases over baseline in long chain 20- and 22-carbon n-3 fatty acids were measured, i.e. eicosatetraenoic acid, EPA and DPA increased by 903%, 356% and 206%, respectively.

While it was expected that the consumption by humans of an oil that contains 18:3 n-3 and 18:4 n~3 could result in some change in the long chain n-3 fatty acid content of tissues, the magnitude of the increases in tissue long chain n-3 fatty acids observed in individuals consuming Echium oil was indeed surprising. Based on the above-mentioned literature reports, it would not have been predicted that the content of 18-carbon n-3 fatty acids in Echium oil would be responsible for such a dramatic enrichment of tissues in long chain 20- and 22-carbon n-3 fatty acids. Whether the amounts of ALA and SDA in relation to each other, or their abundance in relation to other fatty acids contained in Echium oil are factors responsible for the unexpected enrichment of tissues is not known. However, these results indicate that dietary Echium oils could replace dietary marine oils (containing preformed long chain n-3 PUFAs) to effect efficient enrichment of human tissues with long chain n-3 PUFAs.

Furthermore, these results indicate that dietary Echium oil could be useful for the treatment of a number of conditions in which the enrichment of tissues with long chain n-3 PUFA has been deemed beneficial, including, without limitation:

Breast Cancer - Rose and Connolly, Breast Cancer Res.

Treat. (1997) .

Autoimmune Diseases - Kuper and Failla, Nursing Clinics of

North America (2000) ; Harbige Proceedings Nutrition Society (1998) . Colon Cancer - Pereira, Advances Experimental Medicine and Biology (1999) .

Prostate Cancer - Ghosh and Myers, Proc . Natl . Acad. Sci . (1998) .

Schizophrenia - Das, Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (1998) .

Depression - Adams, Lipids (1996) .

IgA Nephropathy - Donadio et al . , The New England J Medicine (1994) .

Sepsis Endotoxic Shock and Organ Failure - Mathushima et al . , Molecular Medicine Today (1999) .

Renal Inflammation - Lefkowith et al, Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (1996) .

Organ Transplants, Coronary Angioplasty Gerster, International Journal Vitamin Nutrition Search (1995) .

Risk Reduction for Alzheimer's Disease - Sugaya, Japanese Journal of Pharmacy (2000) .

Cystic Fibrosis - Lawrence et al . , Lancet (1993) . Atherosclerosis - Schonbeck et al . , American Journal of Pathology (1999) .

Atopic Dermatitis - Koro, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (1999) .

Menstrual Discomfort B i e g l a y e r , G y n e c o l o g y a n d Endocrinology ( 1995 ) .

Cyclic Breast Pain - Gabbrielli, Drugs 46 Suppl (1993). Premature Labor - Walsh, Annales of the NY Academy of Sciences (1991) .

Gout - Goetzl et al . , Journal of Clinical Immunology (1984) .

Venous Leg Ulcers - He, Journal of Vascular Surgery (1997) . Chronic Urticaria - Ellis, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (1998) . Thyroiditis - Szabo, Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology and Diabetes (1996) .

Primary Dys enorrhoea, Endometriosis - Benedetto, Gynecology and Endocrinology (1989) .

Ly e Disease Signal, Annual Review of Immunology (1997) . Arrhythmia - Pepe and McLennan, J. Nutr. (1996).

While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and specifically exemplified above, it is not intended - that the invention be limited to such embodiments . Various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, as delineated in the following claims.

References

1. Adams, Lipids 31.S157 (1996).

2. Benedetto, Gynecology and Endocrinology 3:71-94 (1989).

3. Bieglmayer, Gynecology and Endocrinology 9:307-12 (1995).

4. Cunnane et al . , Br J Nutr . , 69:443-453 (1993).

5. Das, Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 58:165 (1998).

6. ^* Diboune et al . , Journal of Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition,

16:136-41 (1992) .

7. Diboune et al . , Nutrition, 9:433-49 (1993).

8. Donadio et al . , The New England J Medicine 331:1194-1199

(1994) .

9. Ellis, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 102:876-7

(1998) .

10. Gabbrielli, Drugs 46 Suppl 1:137-9 (1993).

11. Gerster, International Journal Vitamin Nutrition Search 65:3-20 (1995) .

12. Ghosh and Myers, Proc . Natl . Acad. Sci . 95:13182 (1998).

13. Goetzl et al . , Journal of Clinical Immunology 4:79-84

(1984) .

14. Harbige Proceedings Nutrition Society 57:555 (1998).

15. He, Journal of Vascular Surgery 25:647-53 (1997).

16. Ishihara et al . , Biosci . Biotechnol . Biochem. , 64 (11) :2454-7 (Nov. 2000) .

17. Kelley et al . , Lipids 28:533-537 (1993).

18. Koro, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 103:663-70

(1999) .

19. Kuper and Failla, Nursing Clinics of North America 35:25

(2000) .

20. Lawrence et al . , Lancet 342:465-469 (1993). 21. Lefkowith et al, Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 213:13-23 (1996) .

22. Li et al., Phytochemistry, 59:157-61 (2002).

23. Mathushima et al . , Molecular Medicine Today 5:123-132

(1999) .

24. Pepe et al . , J. Nutr 126(1) :34-42 (1996).

25. Pereira, Advances Experimental Medicine and Biology 470:55 (1999) .

26. Rose and Connolly, Breast Cancer Res. Treat., 46.225

(1997) .

27. Schonbeck et al . , American Journal of Pathology 155:1281-91 (1999) .

28. Signal, Annual Review of Immunology 15:63-92 (1997).

29. Singer et al . , Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Medicine, 24:173-193 (1986) .

30. Sugaya, Japanese Journal of Pharmacy 82:85-94 (2000).

31. Szabo, Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology and Diabetes 104:172-6 (1996) .

32. Tsevegsuren et al . , J. Am. Oil Che . Soc . , 73 (12) : 1681-84

(1996) .

33. Walsh, Annales of the NY Academy of Sciences 622:341-54

(1991) .

34. Wu et al., Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, 70: 536-43 (1999).

Claims

What is claimed is :

1. A method for the in vivo enrichment of mammalian tissues or particulate blood components with at least one n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid having 20 and 22 carbons in length, said method comprising administering a source of stearidonic acid (SDA) in an amount sufficient to effect said enrichment.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said stearidonic acid source is administered in an amount sufficient to deliver from about 0.15 grams to about 10 grams of stearidonic acid per day.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said stearidonic acid source is administered in an amount sufficient to deliver from about 0.75 grams to about 5 grams of stearidonic acid per day.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said SDA is in the form of the free acid, or a SDA-containing, derivative selected from the group of an ester, diglyceride, triglyceride or phospholipid.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said source of stearidonic acid is a fatty acyl compound mixture having a polyunsaturated fatty acid content of at least 65 weight percent and including linoleic acid in an amount from about 10 to about 35 weight percent, γ-linolenic acid in an amount from about 5 to about 50 weight percent, α-linolenic acid in an amount from about 15 to about 60 weight percent and stearidonic acid in an amount from about 15 to about 55 weight percent, said amounts being based on the total weight of the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of said mixture .

6. A method according to claim 5 , wherein said fatty acyl compound mixture further includes at least one saturated fatty acid and at least one mono-unsaturated fatty acid.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said at least one saturated fatty acid and said at least one mono-unsaturated fatty acid predominantly comprise C₁₆ and C₁₈ fatty acids.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said fatty acyl compound mixture is Echium oil.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said enrichment is determined as a function of elevation of n-3 PUFA level relative to pre-administration baseline n-3 PUFA level.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein n-3 PUFA levels are determined in plasma .

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein said n-3 PUFA levels are determined in at least one particulate blood components.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said particulate blood component is selected from the group consisting of leucocytes, lymphocytes, platelets, and erythrocytes .

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein said source of SDA is administered to a patient having a disorder selected from the group consisting of breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, an autoimmune disease, schizophrenia, depression, IgA nephropathy, sepsis, toxic shock, organ failure, renal inflammation, organ transplantation- associated diseases, coronary angioplasty, arrhythmia, risk reduction for Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis, atherosclerosis, atopic dermatitis, menstrual discomfort, cyclic breast pain, premature labor, gout, venous leg ulcers, chronic urticaria, Thyroiditis, primary dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, psoriasis, acute myocardial infarction, glomerulonephritis, Crohn ' s disease, stroke, cardiovascular disesase, thrombosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) , arthritis, squamous cell carcinoma, intestinal cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, testicular cancer, systemic Lupus erythematosus, early parturition, Lyme disease, muscle wasting, ankylosing spondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, childhood or juvenile arthritis, chronic back injury, fibromyalgia, infectious arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Pagets ' s Disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, pseudogout, psoriatic arthritis, Raynaud's Syndrome, reactive arthritis, Reiter's Syndrome, repetitive stress injury, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sickle cell anemia, eczyma, and Sjόgrens Syndrome.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said source of stearidonic acid is administered in an amount which delivers from about 0.0015 to about 0.35 grams per kilogram of patient body weight per day of a fatty acyl compound mixture having a polyunsaturated fatty acid content of at least 65 weight percent and including linoleic acid in an amount from about 10 to about 35 weight percent, γ- linolenic acid in an amount from about 5 to about 50 weight percent, α-linolenic acid in an amount from about 15 to about 60 weight percent and stearidonic acid in an amount from about 15 to about 55 weight percent, said amounts being based on the total weight of the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of said mixture.

15. A method according to claim 14, which delivers from about

.04 to about .35 grams of said fatty acyl compound mixture per kilogram of patient body weight per day.

16. A method according to claim 14, which delivers from about .01 to about 0.1 grams of said fatty acyl compound mixture per kilogram of patient body weight per day.

17. A method according to claim 14, wherein said composition is administered as a unit dose.

18. A method of treating an ailment or pathological condition in a patient in need of such treatment, said pathological condition being alleviated by the enrichment of the tissues cells of said patient with at least one n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid having 20 and 22 carbons in length, said method comprising administering to said patient a source of stearidonic acid (SDA) in an amount sufficient to effect said enrichment.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said pathological condition is selected from the group of breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, an autoimmune disease, schizophrenia, depression, IgA nephropathy, sepsis, toxic shock, organ failure, renal inflammation, organ transplantation-associated, diseases, coronary angioplasty, arrhythmia, risk reduction for Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis, atherosclerosis, atopic dermatitis, menstrual- discomfort, cyclic breast pain, premature labor, gout, venous leg ulcers, chronic urticaria, Thyroiditis, primary dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, psoriasis, acute myocardial infarction, glomerulonephritis, Crohn's disease, stroke, cardiovascular disesase, thrombosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) , arthritis, squamous cell carcinoma, intestinal cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, testicular cancer, systemic Lupus erythematosus, early parturition, Lyme disease, muscle wasting, ankylosing spondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, childhood or juvenile arthritis, chronic back injury, fibromyalgia, infectious arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Pagets ' s Disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, pseudogout, psoriatic arthritis, Raynaud's Syndrome, reactive arthritis, Reiter's Syndrome, repetitive stress injury, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sickle cell anemia, eczyma, and Sjδgrens Syndrome.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein said enrichment is determined as a function of elevation of n-3 PUFA level relative to pre-administration n-3 PUFA levels.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein n-3 PUFA levels are determined in plasma .

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein said n-3 PUFA levels are determined in cells obtained from the blood.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said cell is selected from the group consisting of leucocytes, lymphocytes, platelets, and erythrocytes .

24. A method according to claim 18, wherein said stearidonic acid source is administered to said patient in an amount sufficient to deliver from about 0.15 grams to about 10.0 grams of stearidonic acid per day.

25. A method according to claim 18, wherein said stearidonic acid source is administered to said patient in an amount sufficient to deliver from about 0.75 grams to about 5.0 grams of stearidonic acid per day.

26. A method according to claim 18, wherein said source of stearidonic acid is a fatty acyl compound mixture having a polyunsaturated fatty acid content of at least 65 weight percent and including linoleic acid in an amount from about 10 to about 35 weight percent, γ-linolenic acid in an amount from about 5 to about 50 weight percent, α-linolenic acid in an amount from about 15 to about 60 weight percent and stearidonic acid in an amount from about 15 to about 55 weight percent, said amounts being based on the total weight of the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of said mixture .

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein said fatty acyl compound mixture further includes at least one saturated fatty acid and at least one mono-unsaturated fatty acid.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said at least one saturated fatty acid and said at least one mono-unsaturated fatty acid predominantly comprise C₁₆ and Cχ₈ fatty acids.

29. A method according to claim 26, wherein said source of stearidonic acid is administered in an amount which delivers from about .0015 to about .35 grams of said fatty acyl compound mixture per kilogram of patient body weight per day .

30. A method according to claim 26, wherein said source of stearidonic acid is administered in an amount which delivers from about .04 to about .35 grams of said fatty acyl compound mixture per kilogram of patient body weight per day .

31. A method according to claim 26, wherein said source of stearidonic acid i-s administered in an amount which delivers from about .01 to about .1 grams of said fatty acyl compound mixture per kilogram of patient body weight per day .

32. A method according to claim 26, wherein said fatty acyl compound mixture is administered orally.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32, wherein said acyl compound mixture is administered as a unit dose.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein said unit dose comprises Echium oil.

35. A method according to claim 35, wherein said acyl compound mixture unit dose delivers about 3 to about 30 grams of Echium oil per day.

36. A method according to claim 35, wherein said acyl compound mixture delivers about 15 grams of Echium oil per day.

37. A method according to claim 35, wherein said acyl compound mixture delivers about 10 grams of Echium oil per day.

38. A method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of said Echium oil is concentrated.

39. A prophylactic method for inhibiting the onset of an ailment or pathological condition in a patient, said

. pathological condition being alleviated by the enrichment of the tissues of said patient with at least one n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid having 20 and 22 carbons in length, said method comprising administering to said patient a source of stearidonic acid (SDA) in an amount sufficient to effect said enrichment.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein said pathological condition is selected from the group of breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, an' autoimmune disease, schizophrenia, depression, IgA nephropathy, sepsis, toxic shock, organ failure, renal inflammation, organ transplantation-associated diseases, coronary angioplasty, arrhythmia, risk reduction for Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis, atherosclerosis, atopic dermatitis, menstrual discomfort, cyclic breast pain, premature labor, gout, venous leg ulcers, chronic urticaria, Thyroiditis, primary dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, psoriasis, acute myocardial infarction, glomerulonephritis, Crohn's disease, stroke, cardiovascular disesase, thrombosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) , arthritis, squamous cell carcinoma, intestinal cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, testicular cancer, systemic Lupus erythematosus, early parturition, Lyme disease, muscle wasting, ankylosing spondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, childhood or juvenile arthritis, chronic back injury, fibromyalgia, infectious arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Pagets ' s Disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, polymyositis, dermatomyositis , pseudogout, psoriatic arthritis, Raynaud's Syndrome, reactive arthritis, Reiter's Syndrome, repetitive stress injury, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sickle cell anemia, eczyma, and Sjδgrens Syndrome.

41. A method according to claim 39, wherein said enrichment is determined as a function of elevation of n-3 PUFA level relative to preadministration n-3 PUFA levels .

42. A method according to claim 41, wherein n-3 PUFA levels are determined in plasma.

43. A method according to claim 41, wherein said n-3 PUFA levels are determined in cells obtained from the blood.

44. A method according to claim 43, wherein said cell is selected from the group consisting of leucocytes, lymphocytes, platelets, and erythrocytes .

45. A method according to claim 39, wherein said stearidonic acid source is administered to said patient in an amount sufficient to deliver from about 0.15 grams to about 10.0 grams of stearidonic acid per day.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein said stearidonic acid source is administered to said patient in an amount sufficient to deliver from about 0.75 grams to about 5.0 grams of stearidonic acid per day.

47. A method according to claim 39., wherein said source of stearidonic acid is a fatty acyl compound mixture having a polyunsaturated fatty acid content of at least 65 weight percent and including linoleic acid in an amount from about 10 to about 35 weight percent, γ-linolenic acid in an amount from about 5 to about 50 weight percent, α-linolenic acid in an amount from about 15 to about 60 weight percent and stearidonic acid in an amount from about 15 to about 55 weight percent, said amounts being based on the total weight of the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of said mixture .

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein said fatty acyl compound mixture further includes at least one saturated fatty acid and at least one mono-unsaturated fatty acid.

49. A method according to claim 48, wherein said at least one saturated fatty acid and said at least one mono-unsaturated fatty acid predominantly comprise C₁₆ and C₁₈ fatty acids .

50. A method according to claim 47, wherein said source of stearidonic acid is administered in an amount which delivers from about .0015 to about .35 grams of said fatty acyl compound mixture per kilogram of patient body weight per day.

51. A method according to claim 50, wherein said source of stearidonic acid is administered in an amount which delivers from about .04 to about .35 grams of said fatty acyl compound mixture per kilogram of patient body weight per day.

52. A method according to claim 50, wherein said source of stearidonic acid is administered in an amount which delivers from about .01 to about .1 grams of said fatty acyl compound mixture per kilogram of patient body weight per day.

53. A method according to claim 50, wherein said composition is administered orally.

54. A method as claimed in claim 53, wherein said composition is administered as a unit dose.

55. A method according to claim 54, wherein said unit dose comprises Echium oil.

56. A method according to claim 55, wherein said composition is administered in an amount which delivers about 3 to about 30 grams of Echium oil per day.

57. A method according to claim 56, wherein said composition is administered in an amount which delivers about 15 grams of Echium oil per day.

58. A method according to claim 56, wherein said composition is administered in an amount which delivers about 10 grams of Echium oil per day.

59. A method as claimed in claim 56, wherein the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of said Echium oil is concentrated .

60. A method for producing an increase in the content of at least one n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid having 20 and 22 carbons in length in the milk of a lactating female, said method comprising administering to said female a source of stearidonic acid in an amount sufficient to effect said increase .

61. A method according to claim 60, wherein said stearidonic acid source is administered in an amount sufficient to deliver from about 0.15 to about 7.0 grams of stearidonic acid per day.

62. A method according to claim 60, wherein said stearidonic and source is administered in an amount sufficient to deliver from about 0.75 to about 5.0 grams of stearidonic acid per day.

63. A method according to claim 60, wherein said stearidonic acid source is Echium oil.

64. A method for producing an increase in the content of at least one n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid having 20 and 22 carbons in length in the tissues of a pregnant female, said method comprising administering to said female a source of stearidonic acid in an amount sufficient to effect said increase.

65. A method according to claim 64, wherein said stearidonic acid source is administered in an amount sufficient to deliver from about 0.15 to about 7.0 grams of stearidonic acid per day.

66. A method according to claim 64, wherein said stearidonic acid source is Echium oil.

67. A method according to claim 1, wherein said SDA source comprises plant material.

68. A method according to claim 67, wherein said plant material comprises seeds.

69. A method according to claim 68, wherein said plant material comprises seed oil from at least one species selected from the group of Echium, Hachelia, Lappala, Cvnoglossum and Amblvnotus .

70. A method according to claim 69, wherein said plant material is genetically modified to express delta-6 desaturase and has an elevated alpha-linolenic acid content relative to non-genetically modified plants.

71. A method according to claim 1, wherein said SDA source comprises an aquatic organism.

72. A method according to claim 71, wherein said aquatic organism comprises at least one organims selected from the group of Undaria pinnatifida, Ceremiales ssp., Cryptonemiales ssp., Nemalionales ssp., Laminariales ssp., Chordariales ssp., Scvtosiphonales ssp., Desmarestiales ssp. , Fucales ssp. , Dictvotales ssp., Ulva lactuca, Ulva pertussa and microalgae.