Fish oil increases the release of tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-6, and has no effect on the incidence of multiple organ failure in rats with peritonitis.
OBJECTIVE
To find out if fish oil given intraperitoneally would cause a reduction in the release of tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-6 in abdominal exudate and blood (experiment A), and if it reduces the incidence of organ failure in rats with peritonitis (experiment B).


METHODS
Laboratory experiment.


METHODS
University animal laboratory.


METHODS
Thirty-six selectively decontaminated rats in each experiment.


METHODS
All rats were pretreated with 2 ml fish oil, lecithin, or saline, intraperitoneally for one or six weeks before intraperitoneal injection of zymosan. Experiment A: Samples of abdominal exudate and plasma were taken regularly for 24 hours after the zymosan had been given. Experiment B: Clinical, biochemical, and histological variables were measured over a 12-day period after the zymosan had been given.


METHODS
Experiment A: Concentrations of tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-6 in abdominal exudate and plasma. Experiment B: Incidence of multiple organ failure.


RESULTS
Experiment A: Concentrations of tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-6 in abdominal exudate and plasma were significantly higher in rats pretreated with fish oil, compared with control rats. This effect was more pronounced after six weeks of pretreatment. Experiment B: There were no significant differences between the groups for any variable.


CONCLUSIONS
Fish oil given intraperitoneally increased rather than reduced local and systemic release of tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-6, and did not reduce the incidence of organ failure in rats with sterile peritonitis.
Rosman
C
C
Department of Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Grond
J
J
Buurman
W A
WA
de Smet
B J
BJ
de Jonge
R
R
Sietsma
M
M
van Schilfgaarde
R
R
Bleichrodt
R P
RP
D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D005395:Fish Oils; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha