Intravenous fish oil blunts the physiological response to endotoxin in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of intravenous fish oil fat emulsion on the metabolic alterations induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Two groups of eight healthy subjects were randomized to receive either two pharmacological doses of intravenous FO fat emulsion or no treatment. The FO group received twice 0.5 g/kg 10% emulsion (Omegaven) 48 and 24h before investigation. LPS (2 ng/kg) was injected as a bolus on the investigation day. Systemic parameters, indirect calorimetry, heart rate variability, and platelet membrane phospholipid composition were measured.


RESULTS
Basal EPA and DHA content in platelet phospholipids was low (0.28% and 2.54%, respectively) and increased significantly after FO to 1.68% and 3.32%. LPS induced reproducible effects in all subjects. Fever was higher in the control [corrected] group than in FO group [corrected] the difference was significant from t (120) until t (360). FO blunted the neuroendocrine response: the rise in plasma norepinephrine was sevenfold lower at t (120) while the ACTH peak was fourfold lower. Tumor necrosis factor alpha was significantly lower between t (360) and t (180) in the FO group.


CONCLUSIONS
Two doses of intravenous FO fat emulsion modified the phospholipid composition of platelets in healthy subjects. FO blunted fever and increased the neuroendocrine and the inflammatory responses to LPS.
Pluess
Thomas-Thi
TT
Department of Intensive Care Medicine, CHUV, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Hayoz
Daniel
D
Division of Hypertension and Vascular Medicine, CHUV, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Berger
Mette M
MM
Department of Intensive Care Medicine, CHUV, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Tappy
Luc
L
Institute of Human Physiology, University of Lausanne, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Revelly
Jean-Pierre
JP
Department of Intensive Care Medicine, CHUV, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Michaeli
Burkhard
B
Department of Intensive Care Medicine, CHUV, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Carpentier
Yvon A
YA
Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Chioléro
René L
RL
Department of Intensive Care Medicine, CHUV, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland. rene.chiolero@chuv.ch.
D000328:Adult; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008297:Male
D004731:Endotoxins; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D005395:Fish Oils; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides