Rapid cellular enrichment of eicosapentaenoate after a single intravenous injection of a novel medium-chain triacylglycerol:fish-oil emulsion in humans.
BACKGROUND
Dietary deficiency in n-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) prevails in Western populations and potentially results in adverse health outcomes. To circumvent the slow n-3 PUFA incorporation in phospholipids of key cells after oral supplementation, a new preparation for intravenous bolus injection was developed with 20 g triacylglycerols/100 mL of a mixture of 80% medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) and 20% fish oil (FO) (wt:wt), and 0.4 g alpha-tocopherol/100 mL of the same mixture.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to document the enrichment of n-3 PUFAs in leukocyte and platelet phospholipids after a bolus intravenous injection of MCT:FO in men.


METHODS
Twelve healthy male subjects received injections over a 5-min period of 50 mL of either MCT:FO or a control MCT:long-chain triacylglycerol (MCT:LCT) emulsion containing 20 g triacylglycerols/100 mL with equal amounts (wt:wt) of MCT and soybean triacylglycerols (LCT) and containing 0.02 g alpha-tocopherol/100 mL; after an 8-wk interval, the subjects received injections of the other preparation.


RESULTS
Clinical and biological variables that assessed tolerance and safety remained unchanged. Plasma elimination was faster for MCT:FO than for MCT:LCT (half-life: 24.5 +/- 3.5 min compared with 32.9 +/- 3.0 min; P < 0.025). This was associated with a greater increase in the plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration. The content of n-3 PUFAs, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), increased in leukocyte and platelet phospholipids within 60 min and > or =24 h after MCT:FO injection.


CONCLUSIONS
Bolus intravenous injection of a novel MCT:FO emulsion allows rapid enrichment of cells with n-3 PUFAs.
Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Yvon A
YA
Carpentier
Mirjam
M
Hacquebard
Laurence
L
Portois
Isabelle E
IE
Dupont
Richard J
RJ
Deckelbaum
Willy J
WJ
Malaisse
D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000172:deficiency*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004041:Dietary Fats; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005395:Fish Oils; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol