title: Influence of an eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid-enriched enteral nutrition formula on plasma fatty acid composition and biomarkers of insulin resistance in the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids may improve cardiovascular outcomes in elderly. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of feeding elderly patients exclusively with an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched diet specifically designed for enteral nutrition for 6 months, evaluating modifications in plasma fatty acid profile and some biomarkers of insulin resistance (IR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients >65 years were fed a new enteral formula (T-Diet Plus) containing 75 mg/l of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 35 mg/l of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 33 were fed an enteral diet intended for elderly (Jevity). Blood samples were drawn at the beginning and after 3 and 6 months of feeding. Plasma lipids, total plasma and lipid fraction fatty acid profiles, and some IR-associated adipokines were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Feeding on T-Diet Plus allowed EPA and DHA incorporation into plasma lipids and normalised blood triacylglycerols (TAG) levels after 3 months without major changes in IR, leptin and adiponectin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Feeding the elderly exclusively with an enteral formula enriched with EPA and DHA improves their plasma lipid fatty acid profile and lowers TAG, a well known cardiovascular risk biomarker, without affecting IR.
authors: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors: Josune
authors: J
authors: Olza
authors: María D
authors: MD
authors: Mesa
authors: Concepción M
authors: CM
authors: Aguilera
authors: Rosario
authors: R
authors: Moreno-Torres
authors: Africa
authors: A
authors: Jiménez
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Pérez de la Cruz
authors: Angel
authors: A
authors: Gil
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001823:Body Composition; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D007328:Insulin; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid