Abstract: A composition comprises a polyunsaturated fatty acid, in particular an essential fatty acid of the n-6 series (linoleic acid or its metabolites) or the n-3 series (alpha-linolenic acid and its metabolites), together with a drug that taken alone has a side-effect of sensitizing the skin to light, in particular a porphyrin or tetracycline or Benoxaprofen, alone or in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, the composition reducing that sensitization.

Abstract: A composition of an effective amount of (a) .gamma.-linolenic acid and/or dihomo-.gamma.-linolenic acid, optionally in association with linoleic and if desired other fat acids, said acids being used if desired as physiologically functional derivatives thereof, in conjunction with (b) an effective amount of one or more of natural or synthetic carotenoids or retinoids having, or giving rise in the body to compounds having, Vitamin A activity when used in therapy of a condition in which enhancement of 1-series PG production, or more broadly influence of the 1-series/2-series PG balance in the body in favor of 1-series PGs is required.

Abstract: The treatment of viral infections with a lithium salt and one of cytarabine or idoxuridine.

Abstract: Topical pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of lesions of the skin or mucous membranes containing a physiologically acceptable lithium salt together with at least one substance selected from substances capable of selectively increasing the in vivo level of E-series prostaglandins, substances capable of inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzyme, substances capable of inhibiting the formation of lipoxygenase products, and lysine.

Abstract: Pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of one or more n-6 or n-3 essential fatty acids, particularly gamma-linolenic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, or eicosapentaenoic acid, and assimilable iron compounds, in dosage unit form optionally with a diluent or carrier, said acids being present as such or as derivatives convertible in the body thereto and the amounts of said acids or derivatives being 1 mg to 100 g (calculated as gamma-linolenic acid) and of said iron compounds 0.1 mg to 10 g (calculated as iron) or submultiples of said amounts convenient for daily administration thereof.

Abstract: The anti-viral effectiveness of conventional anti-viral agents such as acyclovir, idoxuridine, vidarabine etc. is enhanced by formulation or administration with a physiologically acceptable lithium salt.

Abstract: A method of treating the skin sensitizing effects of porphyrins by the systemic administration of an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid of the N-6 or N-3 series or their metabolites.

Abstract: Methods of influencing the 1-series/2-series PG balance in the body by administering a composition containing .gamma.-linolenic acid and/or dihomo-.gamma.-linolenic acid and assimilable copper compounds optionally with a diluent or carrier, the acids being as such or as derivatives convertible in the body thereto. The amounts of the acids or derivatives are 0.2 to 10 g (calculated as .gamma.-linolenic acid) and of copper compounds are 0.1 to 100 mg (calculated as copper).

Abstract: Use of .gamma.-linolenic acid and related materials with (i) zinc, .beta.-lactam antibiotics or other materials enhancing physiological l-series PG synthesis and/or (ii) colchicine, Vinca alkaloids or other materials enhancing physiological synthesis of thromboxane A2, for treatment of malignant tumors susceptible to treatment with gamma-linolenic acid or dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid.

Abstract: A method of treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy wherein .gamma.-linolenic acid or dihomo-.gamma.-linolenic acid or both, as such or in the form of an acceptable and physiologically equivalent derivatives, are administered to a person suffering from the same.

Abstract: The anti-viral effectiveness of conventional anti-viral agents such as acylovir, idoxuridine, vidarabine etc. is enhanced by formulation or administration with a physiologically acceptable lithium salt.

Abstract: Production of .gamma.-linolenic acid, by growth of a diffused mycelial inoculum of Rhizopus arrhizus in a stirred, aerated nutrient medium containing a carbohydrate energy source and an inorganic nitrogen source at a carbon:nitrogen ratio of 20:1 to 60:1 maintained at a temperature of 25.degree. C..+-.2.degree. C. and a pH of 3.75 to 6.25 in the presence of a foam breaker, until a .gamma.-linolenic concentration of at least 1.0 g/liter of medium is reached, harvesting the organism, and extraction of lipid containing the .gamma.-linolenic acid.

Abstract: A method of prevention or treatment of diabetic neuropathy and the other long term complications of diabetes mellitus including complications in the cardovascular system, kidneys and eyes wherein effective amounts of one or both of i) gamma-linolenic acid and/or one or more of the metabolites of gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA, AA, 22:4 n-6 or 22:5 n-6) and ii) 18:4 n-3 and/or one or more of the metabolites of 18:4 n-3 (20:4 n-3, 20:5 n-3, 22:5 n-3, 22:6 n-3) are administered against such complications as such or in the form of an ester, salt, amide or other derivative convertible in the body thereto, alone or in an acceptable pharmaceutical carrier or diluent.

Abstract: Presenile and senile dementia, in particular Alzheimer's disease, can be combated or alleviated by administration of an effective amount of a physiologically acceptable lithium compound and an essential fatty acid or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating anhidrosis in horses or other animals wherein the animals are given .gamma.-linolenic acid and/or dihomo-.gamma.-linolenic acid, restoring sweating abilities.

Abstract: Method of prevention or treatment of endometriosis wherein effective amounts of one or both of (i) gamma-linolenic acid and/or dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and (ii) 18:4 n-3 and/or one or more of the metabolites of 18:4 n-3 (20:4 n-3, 20:5 n-3, 22:5 n-3 or 22:6 n-3) are administered against endometriosis as such or in the form of an ester, salt, amide or other derivative convertible in the body thereto, alone or in an acceptable pharmaceutical carrier or diluent.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of presenile or sensile dementia and in particular to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It is proposed that such conditions may be combatted or their effects alleviated by the administration of a physiologically acceptable lithium compound and/or of an essential fatty acid or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof and there are described herein methods of treatment of such conditions.

Abstract: A method of treatment of atopic disorders, including eczema, asthma, allergies (especially allergic rhinitis), migraine and disorders associated with atopy including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, otitis media, nephrotic syndrome, or benign breast disease, or breast or other cancer, or diabetes, or alcoholism, with effective amounts of one or more of the metabolites of linoleic acid (GLA, DGLA, AA, 22:4n-6 or 22:5n-6) and one or more of the metabolites of .alpha.-linolenic acid (18:4n-3, 20:4n-3, 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3 or 22:6n-3) are administered as such or in the form of an ester, salt, amide or other derivative convertible in the body thereto alone or in an acceptable pharmaceutical carrier or diluent.

Abstract: Gamma-linolenic acid or dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid for use in the reduction or prevention of gastro-intestinal bleeding and other side effects shown by NSAIDs when administered on a continuing basis, including use in allowing said administration to be replaced by administration of said acid alone in arthritis and other conditions without exacerbation of symptoms.

Abstract: Composition and use of .gamma.-linolenic acid and related materials with ascorbic acid, or ethyl alcohol, or an opiate antagonist such as naloxone, nalorphine or levallorphan, for treating alcoholism or moderating the effects of taking alcohol.