A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Medicine, University o-f the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, ■for the degree o-f Master o-f Science. Johannesburg, 1990. / In this thesis the role of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in thermoregulation and the polyunsaturates (PUFA) in the genesis of fever is investigated. Although recognised, that metabolites of arachidonic acid are involved in the biochemical sequences leading to fever, it is also acknowledged that fever response depends on lipid mobilisation. However, the exact biochemical mechanisms involved in this event remain unknown to date. In order to investigate a relation between serum lipids and fever, rabbits were subjected to dietary manipulation (deficient, or excessive EFA diet) and their hyperthermic responses to intravenous injections of (a) human leucocyte pyrogen (HLP); (b) endotoxin (Salmonella Thyphosa); and (c) cerebroventricular injections of prostaglandin E2» were compared with rabbits fed on a normal diet / IT2018

Le diabète prédispose à des complications affectant divers organes comme le systémecardiovasculaire. La cardiopathie ischémique chez les patients diabétiques pourrait être liée àl'accumulation de produits avancés de glycation (AGEs). Dans les coeurs de rats ischémiques,l'expression des récepteurs aux AGEs et de ses ligands est considérablement augmentée etimpliquée dans les lésions de l'ischémie / reperfusion (I / R), même en absence de diabète. Ila été récemment rapporté que le myocarde humain diabétique ne peut pas être protégé par lepréconditionnement. Dans ce contexte, notre hypothèse était que le préconditionnement β1-adrénergique pourrait être modifié en présence d'AGE. En utilisant un modèle de coeur isolénon travaillant de rat, cette étude a pour but d’étudier les effets des AGEs sur lacardioprotection induite par la stimulation des récepteurs β1-adrénergiques (β1-ARs) par lexamotérol (xa). Les effets bénéfiques induits par le xa pendant la reperfusion ont étésupprimés par l'administration de l’albumine glyquée (Alb-Gly) pendant la perfusion du xa,tandis que l’albumine (Alb) n’a pas modifié cette protection. Ces résultats suggèrent que lesAGEs suppriment la cardioprotection résultant de l'activation de la voie β1-AR ce quicontribue à des dommages cardio-vasculaires chez les patients diabétiques.D’ autre part, le pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP), un métabolite naturel de la pyridoxine qui estun antagoniste des récepteurs purinergiques, empêche la surcharge cellulaire en calcium etpeut réduire les dommages d'ischémie-reperfusion. Plusieurs travaux ont mis en evidence unediminution des taux du PLP chez les patients souffrant d'un infarctus du myocarde par rapportà un groupe témoin sain. Plus récemment, il a été signalé qu’un taux bas de PLP confère unrisque indépendant de maladie coronaire. Cette corrélation de la réduction du PLP chez lespatients souffrant d’infarctus est soutenue par les effets préventifs de la vitamine B6 sur lesmaladies coronaires et le diabète. Plusieurs travaux ont montré que le PLP et la pyridoxaminepréviennent la progression de la néphropathie induite par la STZ chez les rats diabétiques eninhibant la formation des AGEs. En utilisant un modèle de coeur isolé non-travaillant de rat,cette étude a examiné les mécanismes de préconditionnement pharmacologique (PC) induitpar la stimulation des récepteurs P2Y par le pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP). La suppression del'effet cardioprotecteur du PLP par le MRS2578, antagoniste des récepteurs P2Y6 et parl’U73122 qui bloque la phospholipase C est en accord avec l’implication du récepteur P2Y6dans le préconditionnement. La suppression de l'effet cardioprotecteur du PLP par l'AMPαS,antagoniste des récepteurs P2Y11, l’H89 inhibiteur de la PKA et par l’U73122 démontrel’implication aussi des récepteurs P2Y11 dans ce préconditionnement. L’exposition préischémique à des concentrations nanomolaires de PLP protège contre les lésions de l’ I / R.P2Y11 et P2Y6 représentent ainsi les récepteurs candidats les plus probables pour le PCcardiaque induit par le PLP. / Diabetes predisposes to complications affecting various organs such as cardiovascular system.Ischemic heart disease in diabetic patients might be linked to the accumulation ofadvanced-glycation end products (AGEs). In ischemic rat hearts, expression of receptor forAGEs and its ligands is significantly enhanced and involved in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury even in the absence of diabetes. It has recently been reported that diabetic humanmyocardium cannot be protected by preconditioning. In this context, our hypothesis was thatβ1-adrenergic preconditioning might be altered in the presence of AGEs. Using an isolatednon-working rat heart model, this study investigated the effect of AGEs on cardioprotectioninduced by transient β1-adrenoceptor (β1-AR) stimulation with xamoterol (xa). The beneficialeffects induced by xa during reperfusion were suppressed by the administration of glycatedalbumin (Gly-Alb) during xa infusion, whereas albumin (Alb) did not hamper xa inducedprotection. These results suggest that AGEs suppress the cardioprotection resulting from theactivation of β1-ARs and thus might contribute to cardiovascular damages seen in diabeticpatients.Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), a natural metabolite of pyridoxine which is an antagonist ofpurinergic receptors prevents cellular calcium overload and may reduce ischemia-reperfusioninjury. Low plasma pyridoxal-5′-phosphate levels have been observed in patients sufferingfrom myocardial infarction, when compared with a healthy control group. More recently, lowPLP level has been reported to confer an independent risk for coronary artery disease. Thefact that this correlation of PLP reduction in infarct patients has functional importance issupported by the preventive effects of vitamin B6 on coronary heart disease and diabetes. PLPprevented progression of nephropathy in STZ-induced diabetic rats by inhibiting formation ofAGEs. Using an isolated non-working rat heart model, this study investigated the mechanismsof pharmacological pre-conditioning (PC) induced by P2Y receptor stimulation withpyridoxal-5’-phosphate (PLP). The suppression of the cardioprotective effects of PLP byMRS2578 and U73122 is in agreement with the P2Y6 receptor as a receptor for PLP-inducedPC.The suppression of the cardioprotective effects of PLP by AMPαS, the PKA inhibitor (H89),and (U73122) is in agreement with the P2Y11 receptor as a receptor for PLP-induced PC.Pre-ischemic exposure to nanomolar concentrations of PLP is protective against I/R. P2Y11and P2Y6 represent the most likely candidate receptors for PLP-induced cardiac PC.

Objetivo: avaliar a ingestão de nutrientes no período pré-concepcional e níveis séricos de ácidos graxos, durante a gestação, em gestantes portadoras de fetos com gastrosquise e gestantes portadoras de fetos normais. Métodos: estudo prospectivo caso-controle realizado no período de Julho de 2013 a Julho de 2015 no setor de Medicina Fetal do Hospital das Clínicas. O grupo gastrosquise (GG) foi constituído de 57 gestantes com gestações únicas, idade gestacional inferior a 34 semanas e feto com gastrosquise isolada. O grupo controle (GC) foi constituído de 114 gestantes portadoras de fetos normais pareadas de acordo com idade materna (± 2 anos), idade gestacional (± 2 semanas) e mesma classificação de índice de massa corpórea (IMC) no período pré-concepcional. Os dados referentes ao consumo dietético das gestantes foram obtidos a partir do questionário de frequência e consumo alimentar (QFCA) e o cálculo da ingestão dos nutrientes (macronutrientes; micronutrientes, ácidos graxos e aminoácidos) foi obtido a partir de programas específicos: Dietwin Profissional 2.0® and Virtuanutri®. Para a avaliação de níveis séricos de ácidos graxos (AG), as gestantes foram submetidas à coleta de sangue na entrada no estudo e no momento do parto. A comparação de AG foi realizada durante a gestação e no momento do parto. Com o objetivo de avaliar se as diferenças entre os grupos eram mais frequentes na primeira ou na segunda metade da gestação, uma nova análise foi realizada subdividindo o período gestacional 25 semanas e < 34 semanas. Resultados: no período pré-concepcional, a media diária de calorias ingerida foi maior (2382,43 vs. 2198,81; p = 0,041) no GG em comparação com GC. O consumo médio de metionina (763,89 vs 906,34; p = 0,036), treonina (1248,34 vs. 1437,01; p = 0,018) e crômio (54,66 vs. 59,49 p = 0,014) foi menor no GG em comparação ao GC. Na análise de ácidos graxos, observa-se que o total AG (p = 0,008), AG insaturados (p = 0,002) e a razão C18:1n9/C18:00 (p = 0,021) foi menor no GG em comparação ao GC durante a gestação; entretanto, a razão C16:00 / C18:2n6 (p = 0,018) foi maior no GG em comparação ao GC no mesmo período. Total AG (p = 0,044) e AG insaturados (p = 0,024) foi menor no GG em comparação ao GC no período <= 25 . AG insaturados (p = 0,025) e a razão C18:1n9/C18:00 (p = 0,013) foi menor no GG em comparação ao GC no período > 25 semanas e < 34 semanas. Conclusão: gestantes portadoras de fetos com gastrosquise apresentam dieta de baixa qualidade nutricional, com alto valor calórico e pobre em aminoácidos essenciais, no período pré-concepcional, e baixos níveis séricos de ácidos graxos durante a gestação / Objective: To evaluate the nutrients intake during the preconceptional period and the serum fatty acid levels during the gestation period of pregnant women with fetuses with gastroschisis and pregnant women with normal fetuses. Methods: A prospective case-control study was conducted at the Fetal Medicine Unit at Hospital das Clínicas from July 2013 to July 2015. The gastroschisis group (GG) comprised 57 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies of less than 34 weeks with fetuses with isolated gastroschisis, and the control group (CG) comprised 114 pregnant women with normal fetuses matched for maternal age (± 2 years), gestational age (± 2 weeks), and the same preconceptional body mass index (BMI). Nutritional assessments related to the preconceptional period were obtained using the Food Consumption Frequency Questionnaire and nutrient intakes (macronutrient, micronutrient, fatty acid and amino acid) were calculated using nutrition programs: Dietwin Profissional 20 ® and Virtuanutri ®. For the evaluation of serum fatty acid levels (FA), a blood sample was collected from each subject at the time they entered the study and at the time of delivery. The FA comparison was performed during gestation and at the time of delivery. In order to evaluate whether the differences between both groups were more frequent in the first or second half of gestation, a new analysis was performed, subdividing gesta 25 weeks and < 34 weeks. Results: during the preconceptional period, the median daily calorie intake was higher (2382.43 versus 2198.81; p = 0.041) in the GG than in the CG. The median intakes of methionine (763.89 versus 906.34; p = 0.036), threonine (1248.34 versus 1437.01; p = 0.018) and chromium (54.66 versus 59.49 p = 0.014) were lower in the GG than in the CG. By analyzing the serum fatty acid levels, total FA (p = 0.008), unsaturated FA (p = 0.002) and the C18:1n9/C18:00 ratio (p = 0.021) were lower in the GG than in the CG during gestation; however, the C16:00 / C18:2n6 ratio (p = 0.018) was higher in the GG than in the CG during the indicated period. Total FA (p = 0.044) and unsaturated FA (p = 0.024) were lower in the GG than in the CG at period <= 25 w k , and unsaturated FA (p = 0.025) and the C18:1n9/C18:00 ratio (p = 0.013) were lower in the GG than in the CG at period > 25 weeks and < 34 weeks. Conclusion: Pregnant women with fetuses with gastroschisis have low-nutritional-quality diet, which is both high in calories and poor in essential amino acids during the preconceptional period, and have low serum FA levels during pregnancy

Objetivo: avaliar a ingestão de nutrientes no período pré-concepcional e níveis séricos de ácidos graxos, durante a gestação, em gestantes portadoras de fetos com gastrosquise e gestantes portadoras de fetos normais. Métodos: estudo prospectivo caso-controle realizado no período de Julho de 2013 a Julho de 2015 no setor de Medicina Fetal do Hospital das Clínicas. O grupo gastrosquise (GG) foi constituído de 57 gestantes com gestações únicas, idade gestacional inferior a 34 semanas e feto com gastrosquise isolada. O grupo controle (GC) foi constituído de 114 gestantes portadoras de fetos normais pareadas de acordo com idade materna (± 2 anos), idade gestacional (± 2 semanas) e mesma classificação de índice de massa corpórea (IMC) no período pré-concepcional. Os dados referentes ao consumo dietético das gestantes foram obtidos a partir do questionário de frequência e consumo alimentar (QFCA) e o cálculo da ingestão dos nutrientes (macronutrientes; micronutrientes, ácidos graxos e aminoácidos) foi obtido a partir de programas específicos: Dietwin Profissional 2.0® and Virtuanutri®. Para a avaliação de níveis séricos de ácidos graxos (AG), as gestantes foram submetidas à coleta de sangue na entrada no estudo e no momento do parto. A comparação de AG foi realizada durante a gestação e no momento do parto. Com o objetivo de avaliar se as diferenças entre os grupos eram mais frequentes na primeira ou na segunda metade da gestação, uma nova análise foi realizada subdividindo o período gestacional 25 semanas e < 34 semanas. Resultados: no período pré-concepcional, a media diária de calorias ingerida foi maior (2382,43 vs. 2198,81; p = 0,041) no GG em comparação com GC. O consumo médio de metionina (763,89 vs 906,34; p = 0,036), treonina (1248,34 vs. 1437,01; p = 0,018) e crômio (54,66 vs. 59,49 p = 0,014) foi menor no GG em comparação ao GC. Na análise de ácidos graxos, observa-se que o total AG (p = 0,008), AG insaturados (p = 0,002) e a razão C18:1n9/C18:00 (p = 0,021) foi menor no GG em comparação ao GC durante a gestação; entretanto, a razão C16:00 / C18:2n6 (p = 0,018) foi maior no GG em comparação ao GC no mesmo período. Total AG (p = 0,044) e AG insaturados (p = 0,024) foi menor no GG em comparação ao GC no período <= 25 . AG insaturados (p = 0,025) e a razão C18:1n9/C18:00 (p = 0,013) foi menor no GG em comparação ao GC no período > 25 semanas e < 34 semanas. Conclusão: gestantes portadoras de fetos com gastrosquise apresentam dieta de baixa qualidade nutricional, com alto valor calórico e pobre em aminoácidos essenciais, no período pré-concepcional, e baixos níveis séricos de ácidos graxos durante a gestação / Objective: To evaluate the nutrients intake during the preconceptional period and the serum fatty acid levels during the gestation period of pregnant women with fetuses with gastroschisis and pregnant women with normal fetuses. Methods: A prospective case-control study was conducted at the Fetal Medicine Unit at Hospital das Clínicas from July 2013 to July 2015. The gastroschisis group (GG) comprised 57 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies of less than 34 weeks with fetuses with isolated gastroschisis, and the control group (CG) comprised 114 pregnant women with normal fetuses matched for maternal age (± 2 years), gestational age (± 2 weeks), and the same preconceptional body mass index (BMI). Nutritional assessments related to the preconceptional period were obtained using the Food Consumption Frequency Questionnaire and nutrient intakes (macronutrient, micronutrient, fatty acid and amino acid) were calculated using nutrition programs: Dietwin Profissional 20 ® and Virtuanutri ®. For the evaluation of serum fatty acid levels (FA), a blood sample was collected from each subject at the time they entered the study and at the time of delivery. The FA comparison was performed during gestation and at the time of delivery. In order to evaluate whether the differences between both groups were more frequent in the first or second half of gestation, a new analysis was performed, subdividing gesta 25 weeks and < 34 weeks. Results: during the preconceptional period, the median daily calorie intake was higher (2382.43 versus 2198.81; p = 0.041) in the GG than in the CG. The median intakes of methionine (763.89 versus 906.34; p = 0.036), threonine (1248.34 versus 1437.01; p = 0.018) and chromium (54.66 versus 59.49 p = 0.014) were lower in the GG than in the CG. By analyzing the serum fatty acid levels, total FA (p = 0.008), unsaturated FA (p = 0.002) and the C18:1n9/C18:00 ratio (p = 0.021) were lower in the GG than in the CG during gestation; however, the C16:00 / C18:2n6 ratio (p = 0.018) was higher in the GG than in the CG during the indicated period. Total FA (p = 0.044) and unsaturated FA (p = 0.024) were lower in the GG than in the CG at period <= 25 w k , and unsaturated FA (p = 0.025) and the C18:1n9/C18:00 ratio (p = 0.013) were lower in the GG than in the CG at period > 25 weeks and < 34 weeks. Conclusion: Pregnant women with fetuses with gastroschisis have low-nutritional-quality diet, which is both high in calories and poor in essential amino acids during the preconceptional period, and have low serum FA levels during pregnancy

Introdução: Acne é uma dermatose que apresenta o padrão do sebo alterado, tanto quali, quanto quantitativamente. Objetivos: Estudar as possíveis alterações quali e quantitativas dos ácidos graxos encontrados no sebo de portadores de acne vulgar graus II ou III mediante ao uso diário de limeciclina e/ou suplemento oral a base de ácidos linoleico, gamalinolênico e oleico. Métodos: Quarenta e cinco sujeitos de pesquisa masculinos, de 12 a 40 anos de idade, portadores de acne vulgar graus II ou III, submeteram-se a 90 dias de uso de: Grupo A, 300mg/dia de limeciclina; Grupo B, 540mg de ácidos gamalinolênico, 1.200mg linoleico e 510mg oleico/dia; Grupo C: Grupos A+B. A cada 30 dias, eles tinham amostra de sebo da fronte coletada para análise cromatográfica dos ácidos graxos nele presentes. Resultados: Quarenta sujeitos de pesquisa (88,9%) concluíram o estudo, os quais ingeriram todas as doses dos produtos, sem apresentarem eventos adversos em qualquer dos Grupos. O número de comedões, pústulas e cistos reduziu com o tempo (p<0,001, para todos), nos três Grupos. Com relação ao número total de lesões, houve uma maior quantidade de lesões em pacientes do Grupo B, quando comparados aos do Grupo A (p=0,033) e aos do Grupo C (p=0,030). Sete ácidos graxos apresentaram mudanças de seu padrão durante o estudo. De um modo geral, as mudanças que se tornaram mais evidentes foram: 1) a concentração de esqualeno no SB não reduziu em qualquer Grupo de estudo; 2) C12:0, C14:0 e C16:1 tiveram suas respectivas concentrações aumentadas nos três Grupos com o tempo de terapêuticas; 3) há indicativo de aumento de C18:1n9c+C18:1n9t na associação das duas classes terapêuticas estudadas; 4) limeciclina e/ou ingestão de ácido linoleico não aumentaram a participação do ácido linoleico no sebo; 5) ácido -linolênico teve sua concentração aumentada e, depois diminuída com o uso de LM e/ou com sua própria suplementação oral. Conclusões: A administração diária de limeciclina e/ou ácidos gamalinolênico, linoleico e oleico pode alterar o comportamento de alguns dos ácidos graxos presentes no sebo de pacientes portadores de acne vulgar graus II ou III. Os ácidos gamalinolênico, linoleico e oleico, se no uso sistêmico, não são considerados agentes terapêuticos na abordagem da acne; mais estudos precisam ser realizados a fim de se inferir a existência de possível benefício clínico de seu uso isolado e/ou associado na abordagem desta dermatose / Introduction: Acne is a dermatosis that presents an altered sebum pattern, quantitatively and qualitatively. Objectives: To study the possible quantitative and qualitative changes of fatty acids found in the sebum of patients with acne vulgaris grade II or III, through the daily use of lymecycline and/or oral supplementation based on linoleic, gamma-linolenic, and oleic acids. Methods: Fortyfive male research subjects, ages 12 to 40, presenting acne vulgaris grade II or III, were submitted to a 90-day use of: Group 1, 300mg of lymecycline per day; Group 2, 540mg of gamma-linolenic acid, 1,200mg of linoleic acid, and e 510mg of oleic acid per day; Group 3: Groups A+B. Every 30 days, a sample of the sebum of their forehead was collected for chromatographic analysis of the fatty acids contained therein. Results: Forty research subjects (88.9%) concluded the study. They ingested all dosages of the products, without presenting side effects in any of the Groups. The number of comedones, pustules, and cysts reduced with time (p<0.001, for all), in all the 3 Groups. With respect to the total number of lesions, Group B´s patients presented a larger quantity of lesions, as compared to those of Group A (p=0.033) and Group C (p=0.030). Seven fatty acids presented pattern changes during the study. In general, the changes that became more evident were: 1) the squalene concentration in the sebum did not diminish in any Group under study; 2) C12:0, C14:0, and C16:1 had their respective concentrations increased in the 3 Groups over the time of the treatments; 3) there is an indication for increasing of C18:1n9t+C18:1n9c when both of therapies are associated; 4) lymecycline and/or the ingestion of linoleic acid did not increase the participation of linoleic acid in the sebum; and 5) gama-linolenic acid had its concentration increased during the first 60-day and diminished during the last 30-day therapies period using lymecycline and/or with its own oral supplementation. Conclusions: The daily administration of lymecycline and/or gamma-linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids may alter the behavior of some fatty acids present in the sebum of patients with acne vulgaris grade II or III. Gamma-linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids, under systemic use, are not considered therapeutic agents in the treatment of acne; more studies need to be carried out in order to infer the existence of a possible clinical benefit of their isolated use and/or association in the treatment of this dermatosis

Introdução: Acne é uma dermatose que apresenta o padrão do sebo alterado, tanto quali, quanto quantitativamente. Objetivos: Estudar as possíveis alterações quali e quantitativas dos ácidos graxos encontrados no sebo de portadores de acne vulgar graus II ou III mediante ao uso diário de limeciclina e/ou suplemento oral a base de ácidos linoleico, gamalinolênico e oleico. Métodos: Quarenta e cinco sujeitos de pesquisa masculinos, de 12 a 40 anos de idade, portadores de acne vulgar graus II ou III, submeteram-se a 90 dias de uso de: Grupo A, 300mg/dia de limeciclina; Grupo B, 540mg de ácidos gamalinolênico, 1.200mg linoleico e 510mg oleico/dia; Grupo C: Grupos A+B. A cada 30 dias, eles tinham amostra de sebo da fronte coletada para análise cromatográfica dos ácidos graxos nele presentes. Resultados: Quarenta sujeitos de pesquisa (88,9%) concluíram o estudo, os quais ingeriram todas as doses dos produtos, sem apresentarem eventos adversos em qualquer dos Grupos. O número de comedões, pústulas e cistos reduziu com o tempo (p<0,001, para todos), nos três Grupos. Com relação ao número total de lesões, houve uma maior quantidade de lesões em pacientes do Grupo B, quando comparados aos do Grupo A (p=0,033) e aos do Grupo C (p=0,030). Sete ácidos graxos apresentaram mudanças de seu padrão durante o estudo. De um modo geral, as mudanças que se tornaram mais evidentes foram: 1) a concentração de esqualeno no SB não reduziu em qualquer Grupo de estudo; 2) C12:0, C14:0 e C16:1 tiveram suas respectivas concentrações aumentadas nos três Grupos com o tempo de terapêuticas; 3) há indicativo de aumento de C18:1n9c+C18:1n9t na associação das duas classes terapêuticas estudadas; 4) limeciclina e/ou ingestão de ácido linoleico não aumentaram a participação do ácido linoleico no sebo; 5) ácido -linolênico teve sua concentração aumentada e, depois diminuída com o uso de LM e/ou com sua própria suplementação oral. Conclusões: A administração diária de limeciclina e/ou ácidos gamalinolênico, linoleico e oleico pode alterar o comportamento de alguns dos ácidos graxos presentes no sebo de pacientes portadores de acne vulgar graus II ou III. Os ácidos gamalinolênico, linoleico e oleico, se no uso sistêmico, não são considerados agentes terapêuticos na abordagem da acne; mais estudos precisam ser realizados a fim de se inferir a existência de possível benefício clínico de seu uso isolado e/ou associado na abordagem desta dermatose / Introduction: Acne is a dermatosis that presents an altered sebum pattern, quantitatively and qualitatively. Objectives: To study the possible quantitative and qualitative changes of fatty acids found in the sebum of patients with acne vulgaris grade II or III, through the daily use of lymecycline and/or oral supplementation based on linoleic, gamma-linolenic, and oleic acids. Methods: Fortyfive male research subjects, ages 12 to 40, presenting acne vulgaris grade II or III, were submitted to a 90-day use of: Group 1, 300mg of lymecycline per day; Group 2, 540mg of gamma-linolenic acid, 1,200mg of linoleic acid, and e 510mg of oleic acid per day; Group 3: Groups A+B. Every 30 days, a sample of the sebum of their forehead was collected for chromatographic analysis of the fatty acids contained therein. Results: Forty research subjects (88.9%) concluded the study. They ingested all dosages of the products, without presenting side effects in any of the Groups. The number of comedones, pustules, and cysts reduced with time (p<0.001, for all), in all the 3 Groups. With respect to the total number of lesions, Group B´s patients presented a larger quantity of lesions, as compared to those of Group A (p=0.033) and Group C (p=0.030). Seven fatty acids presented pattern changes during the study. In general, the changes that became more evident were: 1) the squalene concentration in the sebum did not diminish in any Group under study; 2) C12:0, C14:0, and C16:1 had their respective concentrations increased in the 3 Groups over the time of the treatments; 3) there is an indication for increasing of C18:1n9t+C18:1n9c when both of therapies are associated; 4) lymecycline and/or the ingestion of linoleic acid did not increase the participation of linoleic acid in the sebum; and 5) gama-linolenic acid had its concentration increased during the first 60-day and diminished during the last 30-day therapies period using lymecycline and/or with its own oral supplementation. Conclusions: The daily administration of lymecycline and/or gamma-linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids may alter the behavior of some fatty acids present in the sebum of patients with acne vulgaris grade II or III. Gamma-linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids, under systemic use, are not considered therapeutic agents in the treatment of acne; more studies need to be carried out in order to infer the existence of a possible clinical benefit of their isolated use and/or association in the treatment of this dermatosis