Effect of enterally administered n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in acute pancreatitis--a prospective randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
In acute pancreatitis (AP) administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) might change the course of the disease through modulation of eicosanoid synthesis.


METHODS
In a prospective, randomized clinical trial from 28 patients with moderate-severe AP, 14 received n-3 PUFAs (fish oil) enterally (3.3g/day for 5-7 days). Measurement of erythrocyte superoxide-dysmutase (SOD) activity, serum total antioxidant status (TAS), vitamin A and E, fatty acids, C-reactive protein, transthyretin concentrations were performed at admission, day 3, 7 and 14.


RESULTS
The n-3 to n-6 LCPUFA ratios increased significantly in serum lipids of the patients receiving n-3 PUFA supplementation, whereas remained unchanged in the controls. Supplementation resulted in significant decrease in length of hospitalization (13.07+/-6.70 vs. 19.28+/-7.18 days, P<0.05) and jejunal feeding (10.57+/-6.70 vs. 17.57+/-10.52, P<0.05). Complications developed in 6/14 (42%) of treated and 9/14 (64%) of control patients. The SOD activity was significantly higher at day 3 in the supplemented group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between the two groups in other antioxidants and acute phase reactants.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of enteral formula enriched with n-3 PUFAs in the treatment of AP seems to have clinical benefits based upon the shortened time of jejunal feeding and hospital stay.
Lasztity
Natalia
N
MAV Hospital, University of Pécs, NCPH, Hungary. nlasz@heimpalkorhaz.hu
Hamvas
Jozsef
J
Biró
Lajos
L
Németh
Eva
E
Marosvölgyi
Tamas
T
Decsi
Tamás
T
Pap
Akos
A
Antal
Magda
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000975:Antioxidants; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005395:Fish Oils; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase