title: Fish oil in critical illness: mechanisms and clinical applications.
abstract: Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to be beneficial in multiple disease states that involve an inflammatory process. It is now hypothesized that omega-3 fatty acids may decrease the inflammatory response and be beneficial in critical illness. After a review of the mechanisms of omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation, research using enteral nutrition formulas and parenteral nutrition lipid emulsions fortified with fish oil were examined. The results of this research to date are inconclusive for both enteral and parenteral omega-3 fatty acid administration. More research is required before definitive recommendations can be made on fish oil supplementation in critical illness.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, 149 Beaumont Avenue, HSRF 222, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. renee.stapleton@uvm.edu
authors.forename: Renee D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Konstantin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D055371:Acute Lung Injury / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils