Omega-3 fatty acids: a novel resort against gastrointestinal injury.
The integrity of gastric barrier derives from the balance between defending and damaging factors. In particular, prostaglandins play a relevant role in the maintenance of gastric homeostasis and prevention of peptic disease, at different levels. Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentanoic acid, are the precursors of the third series of prostaglandins (with anti-inflammatory properties), also reducing the formation of the second series of prostaglandins (pro-inflammatory ones). Such a pathophysiological rationale brought to the experimental application, both in animal models and, more recently, in humans, of omega-3 fatty acids against gastrointestinal damage. Omega-3 fatty acids have shown interesting results in preventing different types of gastric damage in mouse models. A large retrospective case-control study on patients taking both anti-thrombotic therapy and eicosapentanoic acid showed (although only at unadjusted analysis) an inverse correlation between consumption of eicosapentanoic acid and gastrointestinal injury. Prospective, well-designed, comparative studies are warranted to clarify if omega-3 fatty acids may represent, or not, a novel resort against gastrointestinal injury.
Division of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. gianluca.ianiro@hotmail.it.
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Ianiro
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Franceschi
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Bibbò
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Gasbarrini
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D011453:Prostaglandins; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid