DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, CROSSOVER STUDY OF EVENING PRIMROSE OIL IN THE TREATMENT OF CANINE ATOPY

Thirty-five dogs with non-seasonal atopic dermatitis were used in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of the effects of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) oil. There was a significant treatment effect (P<0.05) on erythema. An analysis of the changes in plasma phospholipid levels of essential fatty acids revealed a significant (P<0.05) rise in linoleic acid concentration above that in the placebo group. Arachidonic acid levels in the treated group increased significantly (P<0.005) in the first phase and also in the second phase (P<0.05). In the second phase the levels of arachidonic acid in the active and placebo groups differed significantly (P<0.05) and there was a significant treatment effect (P<0.05).