Effect of a fish oil-containing beverage on changes in plasma lipid fatty acids in patients with malabsorption.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this pilot study was to assess tolerance of a beverage containing ω-3 fatty acids (fish oil) in patients with malabsorption receiving chronic parenteral nutrition (PN). The authors wanted to determine whether fish oil could be absorbed and incorporated into plasma fatty acids and reduce markers of inflammation.


METHODS
This was a small intervention study in home-dwelling PN-dependent patients with chronic malabsorption. Ten patients were provided a drink containing 1.5 g of fish oil per day for 12 weeks. Baseline and post-supplement serum fatty acid profiles were compared.


RESULTS
Five of 10 patients withdrew from the study because of GI side effects, principally worsened diarrhea, associated with the supplement. Modest increases were found in 20:5ω-3, 22:5ω-3, and 22:6ω-3 levels in both phospholipids and triglycerides in plasma (all P < .05). In phospholipids, a reduced arachidonic acid level was seen (P = .02). These changes were not sufficient to effect improvements in serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), soluble TNF receptor, C-reactive protein, or interleukin-6.


CONCLUSIONS
Some patients with severe malabsorption can absorb oral ω-3 fatty acid supplements and incorporate these fatty acids into serum phospholipids and triglycerides. However, side effects are very common, and no anti-inflammatory effect was found, presumably related to the modest level of fatty acid change.
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, MA 02215, USA. kmccowen@bidmc.harvard.edu
Karen C
KC
McCowen
Pei-Ra
PR
Ling
Mario
M
Ollero
Nicholas
N
Tawa
Bruce R
BR
Bistrian
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D001628:Beverages; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D016718:Arachidonic Acid