title: Supplemental intravenous n-3 fatty acids and n-3 fatty acid status and outcome in critically ill elderly patients in the ICU receiving enteral nutrition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  N-3 fatty acids (FA) may have benefits in ICU patients. The aims were to identify whether FA status is altered in critical illness and to evaluate the effect of supplemental intravenous n-3 FA on plasma FA status and clinical outcome in ICU patients receiving enteral nutrition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Enterally fed patients (n = 49; 60-80 years) were recruited in the first 48 h of ICU admission. Fifteen patients received n-3 FA emulsion (0.2 g/kg) over 6 h for 3 consecutive days, and 34 patients did not (control). Samples were collected before supplementation, and 24 and 72 h after the third infusion. Nineteen healthy elderly subjects were also studied; they gave a single blood sample. FA were measured in plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Critically ill patients had altered plasma PC FA compared with healthy elderly subjects. Surviving ICU patients had higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid and total n-3 FA and a lower ratio of n-6:n-3 FA in plasma PC than non-survivors. Infusion of n-3 FA increased eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic and total n-3 FA, and decreased arachidonic and total n-6 FA and n-6:n-3 FA and arachidonic:eicosapentaenoic acid ratios. Gas exchange was enhanced 72 h after the third n-3 FA infusion (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Critically ill patients may have altered plasma FA profiles. A higher total n-3 FA and docosahexaenoic acid content in plasma PC is associated with survival and improved gas exchange.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Karina.barros@unifesp.br
authors.forename: Karina V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Cassulino
authors.forename: Lívia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schalch
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Della Valle Munhoz
authors.forename: José Antônio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Manetta
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Noakes
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: Philip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.forename: Vera L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Flor Silveira
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D004655:Emulsions / Q000032:analysis; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid