Usefulness of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in addition to mesalazine in maintaining remission in pediatric Crohn's disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) supplementation in addition to amino-salicylic-acid (5-ASA) in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease (CD).


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients (20 males and 18 females, mean age 10.13 years, range 5-16 years) with CD in remission were randomized into two groups and treated for 12 mo. Group I (18 patients) received 5-ASA (50 mg/kg/d)+ omega-3 FAs as triglycerides in gastro-resistant capsules, 3 g/d (eicosapentanoic acid, EPA, 400 mg/g, docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, 200 mg/g). Group II (20 patients) received 5-ASA (50 mg/kg/d)+olive oil placebo capsules. Patients were evaluated for fatty acid incorporation in red blood cell membranes by gas chromatography at baseline 6 and 12 mo after the treatment.


RESULTS
The number of patients who relapsed at 1 year was significantly lower in group I than in group II (P<0.001). Patients in group I had a significant increase in the incorporation of EPA and DHA (P<0.001) and a decrease in the presence of arachidonic acids.


CONCLUSIONS
Enteric-coated omega-3 FAs in addition to treatment with 5-ASA are effective in maintaining remission of pediatric CD.
Romano
C
C
Pediatric Department, University of Messina, Italy. romanoc@unime.it
Cucchiara
S
S
Barabino
A
A
Annese
V
V
Sferlazzas
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D019804:Mesalamine