Grant: Operating Grant - PA: Inst of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes -Bridge Funding

The Canadian Asthma Prevention Institute has reviewed thousands of peer-reviewed studies on asthma and allergy cases. A compelling number have suggested nutritional supplementation may result in reduction of asthmatic and allergic symptoms. These findings are based on scientific reports combined with results of their Retrospective Survey of adult and childhood asthma sufferers who used pharmaceutical grade, nutritional supplements. Survey participants reported improvements in existing allergy conditions, wheezing, coughing, and decreases in number of common colds (rhinitis). Certain molecules known to mediate the symptoms of asthma and allergy, are present in excessive amounts in those who suffer with asthma. Data also specifically indicates that the natural product conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may play a role in the immune system and decrease the production of these mediators. CLA dramatically reduces the production of these important immune modifiers and the bronchospasm airway constriction seen in asthma. We have completed a study of the nutritional supplement CLA in mild-moderate asthmatics which demonstrates that CLA in human asthma markedly reduces this airway constriction. We propose to study the mechanism by which CLA generates this health benefit for the airway of asthmatics.