A double-blind, randomized clinical trial of the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on the oxidative stress of preterm neonates fed through parenteral nutrition.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to research and draw conclusions about the effect of a parenteral nutrition (PN) fat emulsion, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, on the antioxidant markers of preterm infants, when compared with a standard fat emulsion. This was a double-blind, parallel-group study conducted in Athens, Greece, using an equal randomization method.


METHODS
Thirty-eight infants were selected using a double-blind method and a computer-generated randomization list. Both groups received PN, based on the same protocols. Group A received SMOFlipid fat emulsion, while group B received the standard fat emulsion (Intralipid). Serum levels of vitamin A, E and total antioxidant potential (TAP) were measured on days 0, 7 and 14 of PN support. Clinical and biochemical data were collected on days 0, 14 and on the day of discharge.


RESULTS
Serum levels of vitamin E and A were significantly increased in group A, while only vitamin A serum level was increased in group B on the fourteenth day (group A: vitamin E: P-value=0.002, vitamin A: P-value=0.000, group B: vitamin E: P-value=0.065, vitamin A: P-value=0.000). TAP was increased only in the intervention group (group A: P-value=0.000, group B: P-value=0.287). Mild anemia was developed in both groups, while no differences were detected in the infection rate, days of hospitalization, days of ventilator support and days of phototherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Oxidative stress was significantly reduced in those neonates fed with omega-3 fatty acids, whereas no effect was observed in the neonates fed with standard lipids. Intervention had no effect on infants' growth and clinical outcome.
Skouroliakou
M
M
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece. diatrofi@iaso.gr
Konstantinou
D
D
Koutri
K
K
Kakavelaki
C
C
Stathopoulou
M
M
Antoniadi
M
M
Xemelidis
N
N
Kona
V
V
Markantonis
S
S
D000975:Antioxidants; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000737:chemistry*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood* / Q000254:growth & development; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E