title: n-3 fatty acids, γ-linolenic acid, and antioxidants in sepsis.
abstract: The usefulness of n-3 fatty acids, γ-linolenic acid and antioxidants in the critically ill is controversial. I propose that adverse outcome in the critically ill is due to excess production of proinflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), while generation of anti-inflammatory products of PUFAs may lead to a favorable outcome. Hence, I suggest that measurement of plasma levels of various cytokines, free radicals, and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory products of PUFAs and correlating them to the clinical picture may pave the way to identify prognostic markers and develop newer therapeutic strategies to prevent and manage critical illness.
authors.forename: Undurti N
authors.initials: UN
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid