Pharmaceutical compositions comprising dgla and use of same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides orally deliverable pharmaceutical compositions comprising DGLA and to methods of using same to treat a variety of conditions and disorders.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating atopic dermatitis in a human subject, the method comprising administering to the subject daily a pharmaceutical composition comprising 600 mg to 5000 mg of dihomo gamma linolenic acid. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pharmaceutical composition is present in one or more capsules. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein each of the one or more capsules comprises 500 mg to about 1 g of the pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein two capsules each comprising about 1 g of the pharmaceutical composition are administered to the subject per day. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein four capsules each comprising about 1 g of composition are administered to the subject per day. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dihomo gamma linolenic acid comprises at least about 80% by weight of total fatty acids present in the pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said administering effects an increase in plasma total DGLA of at least about 10% in the subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises eicosatrienoic acid and eicosadienoic acid. 
     
     
         9 . A method of treating atopic dermatitis in a human subject, the method comprising administering daily to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising dihomo gamma linolenic acid, eicosatrienoic acid and eicosadienoic acid, wherein the dihomo gamma linolenic acid comprises at least about 80% by weight of all fatty acids in the composition and the pharmaceutical composition is administered in an amount effective to deliver 600 mg to 5000 mg of dihomo gamma linolenic acid to the subject per day. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the composition is present in one or more capsules. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein each of the one or more capsules comprises about 500 mg to about 1 g of the composition. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein two capsules each comprising about 1 g of the composition are administered to the subject per day. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein four capsules each comprising up to about 1 g of the composition are administered to the subject per day. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  where said administering effects an increase in plasma total DGLA of at least about 10% in the subject. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating atopic dermatitis in a human subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising dihomo gamma linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosatrienoic acid and eicosadienoic acid, wherein the dihomo gamma linolenic acid comprises at least about 80% by weight of all fatty acids in the pharmaceutical composition and the pharmaceutical composition is administered in an amount effective to deliver 600 mg to 5000 mg of dihomo gamma linolenic acid to the subject per day. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the composition is present in one or more capsules. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein each of the one or more capsules comprises about 500 mg to about 1 g of the composition. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein two capsules each comprising about 1 g of the composition are administered to the subject per day. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein four capsules each comprising up to about 1 g of the composition are administered to the subject per day. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  where said administering effects an increase in plasma total DGLA of at least about 10% in the subject.