title: Randomized clinical trial of perioperative omega-3 fatty acid supplements in elective colorectal cancer surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) may have beneficial clinical effects, and n-3 FA supplements may improve outcome after surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in single centre, patients referred for elective colorectal cancer surgery received either an n-3 FA-enriched oral nutritional supplement (ONS) (Supportan, 200 ml twice daily) providing 2.0 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 1.0 g docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day, or a standard isocaloric and isonitrogenous ONS, for 7 days before and 7 days after surgery. The primary endpoint was infectious and non-infectious complications within 30 days of surgery. Secondary endpoints were length of hospital stay, intensive care unit admission, readmissions, and concentrations of marine n-3 FAs and arachidonic acid in granulocyte membranes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Some 148 consecutive patients (68 women, 80 men; mean age 71 (range 41-89) years) were randomized. There was no significant difference between groups in infectious or non-infectious postoperative complications (P = 1.000). Granulocyte levels of EPA, DHA and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) were significantly higher in the n-3 FA-enriched supplement group compared with the control group (P < 0.001). The arachidonic acid level in granulocytes was significantly lower in the enriched group than in the control group (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPA, DHA and DPA were incorporated into granulocytes in patients receiving n-3 FAs, but this was not associated with improved postoperative outcomes.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT00488904 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Sorensen
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Thorlacius-Ussing
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lundbye-Christensen
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindorff-Larsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; C026219:docosapentaenoic acid