乌司他汀对肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的防护作用

目的探讨肝脏缺血再灌注(I/R)损伤的发生机制,观察乌司他汀(UTI)对肝脏I/R损伤的保护作用。方法选择外伤性肝破裂手术中行肝门阻断术患者38例,随机分为I/R组和UTI组各19例。观察肝脏I/R后血清TNF、MDA、AST、ALT变化及再灌注肝组织多形核白细胞(PMN)浸润和肝组织形态学变化。结果I/R组:血清TNF、MDA、AST、ALT显著升高,肝组织PMN浸润明显增加。电镜下可见肝窦内皮细胞破坏,肝细胞线粒体结构改变。UTI组:血清TNF、MDA、AST、ALT明显降低。肝组织PMN浸润明显减少,肝组织超微结构明显改善。结论肝脏I/R诱导TNF产生。UTI能明显减轻PMN依赖性肝脏I/R损伤。     

内毒素在肝脏缺血再灌注中的作用

目的 探讨内毒素在肝脏缺血再灌注损伤中的作用。方法 Wister大鼠随机分为：内毒素组，肝脏缺血再灌注组(HIR组)，肝脏缺血再灌注复合内毒素血症组(HIRE组)。内毒素组自阴茎背静脉注射大肠杆菌内毒素(LPS)1．0mg/kg；HIR组将肝左叶及肝中叶入肝血流阻断60min后再灌注；HIRE组将肝左叶及肝中叶入肝血流阻断60min后再灌注，同时自阴茎背静脉注射LPS 1．0mg／kg。分别采用EMSA、免疫组化法及赖氏法检测再灌注后1，3，12h肝脏组织中NF-KB结合活性、TNF-α的蛋白表达及血浆中ALT含量。结果 内毒素组NF-κB无明显激活，TNF-α无表达，血浆中ALT含量轻度升高；HIR组NF-κB活性仅于伤后1、3h轻度增加，TNF-α有表达，ALT水平升高；与内毒素组及HIR组相比较，HIRE组损伤后NF-κB结合活性明显升高，至少可维持12h。同时肝组织TNF-α表达明显增加，血浆中ALT含量亦明显升高。结论 内毒素在HIR中可加重肝脏损伤，其机制可能是通过对NF-κB的双重激活引起肝内TNF-α等炎症相关细胞因子表达增加，从而加重肝脏损伤。     

沙棘油和维生素E对冷暴露大鼠脂质过氧化作用的影响

大鼠低温暴露后血及肝脏组织中ＬＰＯ含量显著升高，ＧＳＨ一Ｐｘ和ＳＯＤ活性明显下降；透射电镜下观察，肝线粒体明显肿胀，嵴断裂，结构不清甚至消失，基质电子密度降低。饲料中加入一定量的ＶＥ或沙棘油均可使上述指标的变化明显改善，接近于室温下正常对照组水平。沙棘油的改善效果优于同等剂量的ＶＥ。表明：沙棘油和ＶＢ可通过其抗脂质过氧化作用，提高机体的耐寒力。     

右美托咪定后处理对大鼠肝缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的探讨右美托咪定后处理对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响。方法构建肝脏缺血再灌注损伤模型,测定各组大鼠在不同方法处理后的ALT、AST含量和SOD活性,制作肝脏冰冻切片观察。结果右美托咪定后处理可提高肝组织SOD活性,降低血清ALT、AST含量。病理学观察:与S组相较,IR组肝组织损伤明显;与IR组相较,P组及Dex组损伤减轻,N组损伤加重。结论右美托咪定后处理可减轻大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤。     

正己烷毒性作用的研究

目的；研究正己烷的毒性对膜脂质的损伤作用及作用机理。方法：采用静式染毒方式给SD大鼠吸入正己烷，观察其对大鼠的毒性作用。结果：大鼠血中GSH，MDA含量降低，肝组织中SOD，GSH－Px活性明显下降，肝脏形态学观察可见膜系统损伤严重。结论：正己烷的急性吸入可引起或增强机体活性氧自由基的损伤反应，导致脂质过氧化损伤。     

乌司他丁和肿瘤坏死因子α抗体对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨乌司他丁和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNFα)抗体对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法雄性SD大鼠120只，分为正常对照组、缺血再灌注组，TNFα抗体处理组和乌司他丁 TNFα抗体处理组，观察了肝脏缺血60min及再灌注1、3、6及12h后，检测血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、丙二醛(MDA)及肝组织病理学变化。结果肝脏缺血再灌注后，肝脏瘀血明显，血浆ALTT和MDA含量均显著增高；肝脏缺血再灌注用乌司他丁 TNFα抗体处理后，血浆ALT和MDA含量明显降低，肝组织瘀血减轻。结论乌司他丁联合TNFα抗体可以抑制大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注所致的炎症反应，对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用。     

急性四氯化碳致大、小鼠肝损害程度的比较

目的：比较对四氯化碳所致大、小鼠急性肝损伤模型生化改变及肝脏形态特点。方法：分别给与Wistar种大鼠和昆明种小鼠不同剂量CCl4，测定血清ALT、AST，观察肝脏病理组织学改变。结果：CCl4急性肝损害小鼠血清ALT、AST明显高于大鼠，大鼠肝脏病理改变主要以小叶中心肝细胞气球样变为主，可见细胞脂肪变性，水样变性及少量肝细胞坏死等，小鼠主要以小叶中心肝细胞坏死为主，偶见浊肿、脂变、出血等。结论：经口一次给予CCl4，大、小鼠血清生化指标及肝脏形态改变均存在较大差异，小剂量（40mg／kg）CCl4引起小鼠肝脏损害程度明显高于大鼠，表明可能小鼠对CCl4较为敏感，CCl4所致肝损害程度与动物种属关系密切。     

仙牌灵芝茶对化学性肝损伤保护作用的研究

目的：研究仙牌灵芝茶对化学性肝损伤是否具有保护作用。并探讨其可能的保护作用机制。方法：采用CCl4亚急性染毒来建立化学性肝损伤大鼠模型，并将灵芝茶以三个剂量（1．65，5．00和15．00g/kg)经口 灌胃给药，每天一次，连续25d，最后进行血常规，血清生化指标和肝脏组织病理这等项目检查以及体内肝细胞抗氧化实验和彗星实验。结果：与对照组相比，高剂量组的ALT活性显著降低，肝脏组织结构病理损害明显改善，肝脏LPO水平显著降低和GSH－Px活性明显升高，肝细胞彗星百分率和彗星尾长明显下降，结论：仙牌灵芝茶对CCl4所致化学性肝损伤具有保护作用。其保护机制可能主要为：清除自由基和抑制脂质过氧化作用，拮抗DNA损伤，促进DNA修复等。     

基于能量代谢技术对高脂饲料干预的小鼠脂代谢研究

目的研究长期高脂饲料对机体能量及脂肪代谢的影响。方法 20只雄性清洁级C57BL/6小鼠,随机分为对照组和高脂组,分别喂饲基础饲料和高脂饲料。第12周末,间接测热法检测小鼠的总能量消耗及物质代谢情况。多排定量CT扫描仪检测小鼠全身脂肪含量和分布。实验结束处死小鼠,留取血样和肝脏组织,进行生化指标及组织病理学检测。结果与对照组比较,高脂组小鼠能量摄入增多,全身和内脏脂肪含量增加,脂肪酸氧化水平显著升高(P<0.05);空腹血糖、血脂、胰岛素以及肝脏和血清中的脂肪酸含量皆显著高于对照组(P<0.05);肝细胞脂肪变性,线粒体受损。结论长期高脂饲料能导致机体能量摄入过多,进而导致脂肪代谢紊乱,出现明显腹部肥胖、高脂血症、脂肪肝和胰岛素抵抗。     

肝切除模型小鼠急性肝损伤研究

目的探讨小鼠肝切除急性肝损伤模型建立方法,研究肝切除急性肝损伤后肝功能变化情况。方法对BALB/c小鼠实施部分肝组织切除手术,缝合后继续适应性饲养,取血清及肝组织匀浆检测ALT、AST、NO,并计算肝脏指数。结果肝切除急性肝损伤小鼠与对照组比较,血清ALT、AST明显升高,肝组织匀浆ALT、AST明显降低,NO明显升高,肝脏指数明显增加。结论肝切除模型小鼠急性肝损伤肝后,功能明显下降,炎性作用突出,肝组织增生明显。     

Usefulness of flaxseed oil in the limitation of diet induced metabolic disturbances

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different fats, that is pork lard, refined soybean oil, and unrefined, cold pressed flaxseed oil, on the antioxidant status, inflammatory markers and blood lipid profile of rats fed diets rich in fructose. Four week of experimental feeding with flaxseed oil enriched diet (16%) led to a significant decrease in the degree oflipid peroxidation in liver when compared with rats fed the same amount of pork lard. Moreover the addition of soybean oil or flaxseed oil to the diet (16%) decreased significantly triglyceride and total cholesterol blood levels, as well as reduced atherogenic index of plasma. The concentration of HDL cholesterol was retained on a higher blood level in rats fed flaxseed oil enriched diet, when compared with the soybean oil group.     

山茶籽对去卵巢和非去卵巢雌性大鼠肝组织影响的实验研究

目的:通过观察山茶籽对去卵巢和非去卵巢雌性大鼠肝组织结构和功能的影响,为山茶籽在妇女疾病的防治和保健提供实验依据。方法:选取6月龄健康雌性大鼠80只,分成4组。对照组(Normal)、去卵巢模型组(OVX)、山茶籽+去卵巢组(Ts+OVX)和山茶籽+对照组(Ts+Normal)。Ts+OVX组和Ts+Normal组,用山茶籽醇提物水溶液灌胃,10 ml.kg-1.d-1(5 g生药/g),两个治疗组的连续用药12周。12周后,麻醉大鼠取左心血,处死后取肝脏。肝切片光镜观察肝组织形态结构,并对血清天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、白蛋白(A)和球蛋白(G);肝匀浆谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、丙二醛(MDA)和超氧阴离子自由基(O2-.)清除率进行测定,数据进行统计学分析。结果:与Normal组比较,两个治疗组肝体质量比、血清AST、ALT和A/G及肝匀浆GSH-Px、MDA和清除率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),肝组织切片没有肝组织损害病理改变。结论:山茶籽醇提物对去卵巢和非去卵巢雌性大鼠没有肝损害作用。     

葛根素对铅中毒大鼠肝组织损害治疗的实验研究

目的:了解葛根素对铅中毒大鼠肝的保护作用,为中医治疗铅中毒肝损害提供实验依据。方法:选取6月龄健康大鼠80只分成对照组(Normal)、铅中毒模型组(LPD)、葛根素+铅中毒组1(P+LPD组1)和葛根素+铅中毒组2(P+LPD组2)各20只,8周后麻醉大鼠取左心血,处死后取肝脏。肝切片光镜观察肝组织形态结构,并对血清的天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)及肝匀浆的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)和超氧阴离子自由基(O2.)进行测定,数据进行统计学分析。结果:与Normal组比较,LPD组血清AST、ALT和GST及肝匀浆MDA和O2.明显升高(P<0.01),而肝匀浆的SOD明显降低(P<0.01);与LPD组比较,P+LPD组1和P+LPD组2的血清AST、ALT和GST及肝匀浆MDA和O2.明显降低(P<0.01),而肝匀浆的SOD明显升高(P﹤0.01)。LPD组肝组织切片有明显肝组织损害病理改变,P+LPD组1和P+LPD组2肝组织病理改变明显改善,P+LPD组2改善最为显著。结论:铅中毒可引起大鼠肝损害,葛根素对铅中毒大鼠肝损害有保护作用,葛根素保护作用表现对剂量依赖性。     

Effects of a flaxseed mixture and plant oils rich in alpha-linolenic acid on the adenoma formation in multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mice

Flaxseed is a dietary source of possible chemopreventive compounds such as lignans and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). To study the effects of a flaxseed mixture on adenoma formation in multiple intestinal neoplasia mice, the mice were fed a diet containing 2.7 % flaxseed, 4.5 % fibre and 3.7 % ALA. To elucidate the effect of oils of the mixture we also composed a diet without flaxseed but with the same oil composition. The median number of adenomas in the small intestine was fifty-four for the control group, and thirty-seven (P=0.023) and forty-two (P=0.095) for flaxseed and oil groups, respectively. Compared with controls (1.2 mm), the adenoma size was smaller in the flaxseed (0.9 mm; P=0.002) and oil (1.0 mm; P=0.012) groups. Both diets changed the proportions of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in the colonic mucosa. Membrane beta-catenin and protein kinase C (PKC)-zeta levels were reduced in the adenoma v. mucosa (P<0.05), and an inverse association was found between the membrane PKC-zeta in the mucosa and the adenoma number (r -0.460, P=0.008, n 32). Only the flaxseed diet increased lignan levels in the caecum (P=0.002) and in plasma (P=0.002) but they were not associated with tumour formation. The results suggest that the preventive effect of flaxseed on colon carcinogenesis may be due to the oil part of flaxseed, and the loss of beta-catenin and PKC-zeta from the membranes of the mucosal tissue may play a permissive role in intestinal tumour development.     

The effect of flaxseed supplementation in processed foods on serum fatty acids and enterolactone

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to study the effects of flaxseed supplementation as a part of daily diet on serum lipids, fatty acids and plasma enterolactone. DESIGN: Eighty volunteers participated in this clinical nutrition study which was carried out in a controlled, double-blind and cross-over manner. The subjects were randomized to diet sequences AB or BA. Diet A meals contained 1.3 g/100 g ground flaxseed and 5 g/100 g flaxseed oil. Also 3-4 g/100 of inulin and wheat fiber was added. AB diet with non-supplemented foods served as control. Test subjects were on both diets for 4 weeks separated by a 4-week wash-out period. Fifteen test subjects continued an open part of the study for 4 additional months. INTERVENTIONS: The dietary intake, basic blood values, serum lipids, fatty acids and enterolactone were measured at baseline, after both intervention periods and during the open study, at baseline and after 2 and 4 months. Serum thiocyanate and blood cadmium were controlled after both intervention periods. RESULTS: The percentage of flaxseed supplemented test food out of total dietary intake was 20% of energy. The test food contained significantly higher amounts of fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and especially alpha-linolenic acid than the control food. No significant changes were observed in the basic laboratory values or in blood lipids. There was a significant increase in serum alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid. Serum enterolactone concentration was doubled during flaxseed supplementation. Serum thiocyanate and blood cadmium values did not exceed reference values and there was no difference between the diets. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we were able to show that, by adding ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil to one or two daily meals, it is possible to obtain significant effects on serum levels of enterolactone and alpha-linolenic acid. SPONSORSHIP: The study was sponsored by the National Technology Agency of Finland (Tekes).     

上海地区638例输血后丙型肝炎病毒感染者的临床分析

目的 分析输血后丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)感染者的临床特征.方法 采用PCR检测HCVRNA载量,ELISA检测抗-HCV,分析输血后HCV感染者的年龄、原发病因、暴露年份、输血成分与输血量、潜伏期、肝功能损害和腹部超声图像改变等.结果 578例感染者中有525例(90.8%)HCV RNA载量≥3.0 log10 copy/ml(M=6.10 log10 copy/ml),其中19.2%病例为3.0～4.0log10 copy/ml、66.1%为5.0～6.0 log10 copy/ml,仅14.7%病例≥7.0log10 copy/ml.HCV RNA定性阳性率为81.5%(44/54),HCV基因型主要为1型,抗-HCV阳性率达99.8%(636/637),其阳性敏感率高于HCV RNA定量和定性检测(均为P=0.000).输血后HCV感染以40～60岁年龄段多见,85.7%病例的暴露时间为1990-1994年,10%以上的感染者中基础疾病为妇产科、骨科疾病和胃肠道出血,79.9%的病例为输入全血者,输血至临床诊断时间平均(8.5±5.5)年;90.1%感染者有肝功能损害,多数病例血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)升高水平≤5×ULN,而血清总胆红素升高、ALT和天冬氨酸氨基转氨酶≥5×ULN水平者临床表现较多(P值分别为0.000、0.001和0.009);8.9%感染者腹部超声显示有肝硬化改变,但多见于感染期＞5年者.结论 输血后HCV感染主要集中于1990-1994年,成年人患病率较高,常伴有肝功能损害,感染期＞5年者肝硬化发生率较高,HCV基因型主要为1型,血清HCV RNA载量多为中等水平.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate me clinical-epidemiologic characteristics of patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection by post blood transfusion.Methods Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)and enzynle linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)were used to detect HCV RNA and anti.HCV,respectively.Analysis was performed on patients'age distribution,cause of primary diseases,years ofexposure,ingredient and amount of transfusion,incubation period,disorder on liver function and changes on abdominal ultrasound image,etc.Results HCV RNA levels were higher than 3.0log10 copy/ml in 90.8%infected patients、with a median as 6.10 log10 copy/ml.19.2%of the patients showed viral load 3.0 to 4.0 iog10 copy/ml,and 66.1%of them showed 5.0 to 6.0 log10 copy/ml.Only 14.7%of the infected persons had HCV RNA levels higher than 7.0 log10 copy/ml.Eighty-one point five percent(44/54)of the infected persons were confirmed as HCV RNA positive by HCV RNA qualitative analysis with HCV genotype as primarily type 1.99.8%(636/637)of the pmients were detected as anti-HCV positive by serological test.The sensitivity of serological test was higher than both quantitative and qualitative HCV RNA assays(P=0.000,P=0.000,respectively).HCV infection post blood transfusion was more seen in common people at 40 to 60 years old Most cases(85.7%)had their first exposure during 1990 to 1994.More than 10% of the cases had primary diseases aS obstetrics,orthopedics or gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage.79.9%of the patients received whole blood product transfusion.The mean interval between transfusion and clinical diagnosis was 8.5±5.5 years.90.1%of the infected patients had liver function damage,while most of them showed elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)no more than 5 upper limits of normal(ULN).wheteas Serum total bilirubin(TBIL).ALT and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)≥5×ULN level were showing more clinicaI manifestations(P=0.000.P=0.001,P=0.009,respectively).Abdominal ultrasound among 8.9%of the infected persons showed changes in cirrhosis,and most of them werc older than 50years of age.Conclusion Most of the post transfusion HCV infected cases happened in adulthood,and were mainly exposed during 1990 to 1994.Infected pmients usually had their liver function damaged with elevated ALT no more than 5×ULN and with medium HCV RNA levels.HCV genotype was mainly for type 1.Patients who weTe ofolder age showed higher incidence ofcirrhosis.If a patients'infection period Was longer than 5 years,he/she would show higher incidence of cirrhosis.     

妊娠期肝内胆汁瘀积症母儿胆酸和肝功能的变化

目的:通过检测妊娠期肝内胆汁瘀积症(ICP)母儿胆汁酸和肝功能变化,探讨ICP对围产儿胆汁酸和肝功能的影响。方法:选择2004年3月~2004年12月在四川大学华西第二医院产科住院的ICP患者38例,于能量合剂治疗前后分别抽取孕妇空腹肘静脉血,分娩时(均系剖宫产)抽取脐静脉血和新生儿血查血清TBA和肝功能。结果:(1)孕妇治疗后(即手术前)TBA、肝功能(主要是ALT、AST)均较治疗前显著下降(P<0.01),治疗前后母血TBA与ALT、AST分别呈正相关(均为P<0.05);(2)孕妇术前血清TBA、ALT、AST显著高于脐静脉血(均为P<0.01);(3)新生儿血TBA显著高于脐静脉血TBA(P<0.01),而ALT、AST无显著变化(P>0.05);(4)新生儿血TBA与术前母血TBA呈正相关(P<0.05),新生儿血TBA、ALT、AST显著低于术前母血(均为P<0.01)。结论:(1)升高的母血TBA能造成孕妇肝细胞不同程度受损,且TBA值愈高,ALT、AST亦升高愈明显;(2)能量合剂治疗ICP是有益的,能降低TBA,改善肝脏功能;(3)ICP患者因胎盘胆汁酸代谢发生障碍而导致围产儿TBA明显受到影响,但肝功能未见明显变化。     

职业性铅接触工人血铅及肝功能指标的变化

[目的]研究职业性铅接触对工人的肝脏毒性,探讨血铅浓度变化和肝脏损害效应指标之间的关系,寻找铅对肝毒性的早期敏感指标。[方法]以蓄电池制造企业108名铅作业工人作为接触组,以同一企业非铅接触的76名工人和行政人员作为对照组。车间空气中铅烟、铅尘的短时接触浓度采用火焰原子吸收光谱法检测。选择丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）和总胆红素（TBIL）作为肝毒性的效应指标,分析不同血铅水平和肝损害效应指标的变化。[结果]①车间空气中铅烟和铅尘的短时接触浓度分别为0.89mg/m3和0.25mg/m3,超标率分别为50.00%和60.00%。②随着环境铅接触水平的增加,ALT和TBIL的异常率增加无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。两者平均浓度变化也无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。③超职业限值组存在血铅超标现象,异常率为31.03%。超职业限值组和职业限值组血铅平均浓度明显高于对照组（P〈0.01）。④随着铅作业工龄的增加,血铅、ALT和TBIL的异常率无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。⑤血铅水平的变化和ALT、TBIL异常率的变化不存在相关关系。[结论]职业性铅接触引起血铅明显升高,肝功能效应指标ALT和TBIL不能敏感的反映铅对肝脏的毒性。     

罗格列酮联合维生素E治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病的临床研究

目的：探讨罗格列酮联合维生素E治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）的临床疗效。方法：将本院进行饮食控制和适当锻炼的90例NAFLD患者随机分为三组,每组30例,分别应用罗格列酮、维生素E、罗格列酮联合维生素E三种方法治疗,疗程为6个月。比较治疗前后各组肝功能指标（ALT、AST、GGT）、血脂水平（TG）、NAFLD超声形态学的改善情况。结果：治疗后三组肝功能、血脂较治疗前均有所改善（P〈0.05）,其中肝功能（ALT、AST、GGT）改善尤为明显（P〈0.01）。治疗后三组肝功能、血脂比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）,联合组治疗后肝功能（ALT、AST、GGT）改善优于维生素E组及罗格列酮组（P〈0.01）,TG改善亦优于其他两组（P〈0.05）。维生素E组、罗格列酮组、联合组有效率分别为53.33%,66.67%,90.00%;联合组与罗格列酮组、维生素E组比较,差异均有统计学意义（字2=4.812,P〈0.05;字2=9.932,P〈0.01）。结论：罗格列酮和维生素E联合治疗NAFLD安全有效,且联合治疗的效果要优于单药治疗。     

Intervention with flaxseed and borage oil supplements modulates skin condition in women

Ingestion of selected nutrients modulates dermal properties. In the present study, two groups of women ingested flaxseed or borage oil for 12 weeks. The control group received a placebo containing medium-chain fatty acids. Dose was 2.2 g total fatty acids/d with alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid as major constituents in the flaxseed oil group; in the borage oil group linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid were predominant. In the flaxseed oil group, the contribution of alpha-linolenic acid to total fatty acids in plasma was significantly increased on weeks 6 and 12, whereas there was an increase in gamma-linolenic acid in the borage oil group (P < 0.05). Skin irritation was performed by nicotinate treatment, and changes in skin reddening and blood flow were monitored. Compared to week 0, skin reddening was diminished in both groups; blood flow was also lowered. Skin hydration was significantly increased after 12 weeks of treatment compared to week 0, with flaxseed or borage oil (P < 0.05). Transepidermal water loss was decreased in both oil groups by about 10 % after 6 weeks of supplementation. A further decrease was determined after 12 weeks in the flaxseed oil group. Surface evaluation of living skin revealed that roughness and scaling of the skin were significantly decreased with flaxseed and borage oil comparing week 0 and week 12 (P < 0.05). Except for hydration, none of the parameters was affected in the placebo group. The present data provide evidence that skin properties can be modulated by an intervention with dietary lipids.