title: Pilot study of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in sickle cell disease.
abstract: In a previous retrospective study, it was observed that the greater the amounts of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the blood, the lesser the number of complications of sickle cell disease (SCD) and the higher the steady state haemoglobin level. SCD causes ischaemia-reperfusion injury and inflammation; which can be ameliorated by a metabolite of DHA that down-regulates expression of pro-inflammatory genes. The objectives of this prospective pilot study were to evaluate the effects of DHA and EPA supplements in SCD, and test the hypothesis that these effects are mediated partly by reducing inflammation. Oral DHA and EPA supplements were given to 16 SCD patients for 6 months. We then compared pre- and post-supplementation values of number of crisis, steady state Hb, plasma unconjugated bilirubin and three indices of inflammation: plasma interleukin-6, blood neutrophil and platelet counts. There was a significant reduction in the plasma level of unconjugated bilirubin, and the number of sickle cell crisis; but not in the markers of inflammation. The pilot data suggest that DHA and EPA supplements reduce the number of crisis and steady state haemolysis in SCD; but provide no evidence that these effects are mediated by reducing inflammation.
authors.affiliation: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, College of Medicine, Enugu Campus, Nigeria. iheanyi.okpala@unn.edu.ng
authors.forename: Iheanyi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Okpala
authors.forename: Obike
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ibegbulam
authors.forename: Augustine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duru
authors.forename: Sunday
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ocheni
authors.forename: Ifeoma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Emodi
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ikefuna
authors.forename: Garba
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Umar
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Asinobi
authors.forename: Anazoeze
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Madu
authors.forename: Augustine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okoye
authors.forename: Tessy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nwagha
authors.forename: Uche
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Oguonu
authors.forename: Ify
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Uamai
authors.forename: Obineche
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Agwu
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nonyelu
authors.forename: Uche
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Anike
authors.forename: Kingsley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Agu
authors.forename: Chukwudi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anigbo
authors.forename: Awele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chukwura
authors.forename: Ogechukwu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ugwu
authors.forename: Sagrario
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herrada
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000178:diet therapy*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D001663:Bilirubin