title: A randomized placebo-controlled study on high-dose oral algal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in children with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: Low plasma concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are reported in unsupplemented cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Forty-one CF patients aged from 6 to 12 years were randomized to receive high-dose DHA (100 mg/kg/day in the first month and 1g per day thereafter through a 12-month supplementation) or placebo (germ oil). Primary outcome was percentage change in plasma AA:DHA ratio. Secondary outcomes were changes in the number of pulmonary exacerbations compared to previous year, lung function, BMI, skinfold thicknesses, and body composition assessed by DXA and in serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, cytokines and vitamin (α-tocopherol and retinol). Compared to the control group plasma AA:DHA ratio decreased in the intervention group after 6 months (median percentage changes: -73% in the intervention group vs. -10% in the control group, P=0.001). No differences were detected between groups for secondary outcomes. Despite a decrease of the AA/DHA ratio, DHA supplementation for one year did not induce any significant biochemical and clinical improvement in CF patients.
authors.affiliation: Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alicandro
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Faelli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gagliardini
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magazzù
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biffi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Risé
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valmarana
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cirilli
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Palmas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vieni
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agostoni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colombo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014801:Vitamin A; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol