Effects of a fish oil containing lipid emulsion on plasma phospholipid fatty acids, inflammatory markers, and clinical outcomes in septic patients: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
The effect of parenteral fish oil in septic patients is not widely studied. This study investigated the effects of parenteral fish oil on plasma phospholipid fatty acids, inflammatory mediators, and clinical outcomes.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis, and predicted to need parenteral nutrition were randomized to receive either a 50:50 mixture of medium-chain fatty acids and soybean oil or a 50:40:10 mixture of medium-chain fatty acids, soybean oil and fish oil. Parenteral nutrition was administrated continuously for five days from admission. Cytokines and eicosanoids were measured in plasma and in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated whole blood culture supernatants. Fatty acids were measured in plasma phosphatidylcholine.


RESULTS
Fish oil increased eicosapentaenoic acid in plasma phosphatidylcholine (P < 0.001). Plasma interleukin (IL)-6 concentration decreased significantly more, and IL-10 significantly less, in the fish oil group (both P < 0.001). At Day 6 the ratio PO2/FiO2 was significantly higher in the fish oil group (P = 0.047) and there were fewer patients with PO2/FiO2 <200 and <300 in the fish oil group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.015, respectively). Days of ventilation, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and mortality were not different between the two groups. The fish oil group tended to have a shorter length of hospital stay (22 +/- 7 vs. 55 +/- 16 days; P = 0.079) which became significant (28 +/- 9 vs. 82 +/- 19 days; P = 0.044) when only surviving patients were included.


CONCLUSIONS
Inclusion of fish oil in parenteral nutrition provided to septic ICU patients increases plasma eicosapentaenoic acid, modifies inflammatory cytokine concentrations and improves gas exchange. These changes are associated with a tendency towards shorter length of hospital stay.


BACKGROUND
Clinical Trials Registration Number ISRCTN89432944.
Barbosa
Vera M
VM
Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, IDS Building, MP887 Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK. barbosa.vera@gmail.com
Miles
Elizabeth A
EA
Calhau
Conceição
C
Lafuente
Estevão
E
Calder
Philip C
PC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004655:Emulsions; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004655:Emulsions; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D010743:Phospholipids; D013024:Soybean Oil