Consuming omega-6 can have beneficial effects on the skin, particularly by promoting skin healing. Rui CURI and his colleagues wanted to study the effects of oral ingestion of oleic acid (OLA), an omega-9, and linoleic acid (LNA), an omega-6, on wound healing in rats. 0.22 g per kg of body weight were administered for five days.
After seven days of healing, the results show a clear improvement in wound closure in the LNA group compared to the OLA group. Concurrently, the LNA group demonstrated an infiltration of inflammatory cells, primarily neutrophils and lymphocytes, and an increase in the production of H2O2, a reactive oxygen species. Subsequently, 24 hours after the injury, LNA reduced the number of inflammatory cells and the concentrations of IL-1, IL-6 and macrophage inflammatory protein-3 (MIP-3), as well as the activation of NF-kB. The inflammatory response thus decreased after this time. Concurrently, there was an increase in the production of H2O2, a reactive oxygen species, after consumption of omega-6.
Studies have shown that an increase in the content of reactive oxygen species can also signal the activation of Activator Protein 1 (AP-1). The activation of AP-1 is linked to the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, important cells that participate in the subsequent phase of wound repair. Later, the pro-inflammatory scenario appears to be deactivated, particularly the activation of NF-kB and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, although the activation of AP-1 persists. This early resolution of the inflammatory phase and the onset of the next phase (formation of granulation tissue) could explain the accelerated healing observed in this group.