title: EFFECT OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID IN THE HEALING PROCESS OF COLONIC ANASTOMOSIS IN RATS.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids has been studied in the context of healing and tissue regeneration mainly due to its anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory and antioncogenic properties. Previous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects with the use of enteral immunonutrition containing various farmaconutrients such as L-arginine, omega-3, trace elements, but the individual action of each component in the healing of colonic anastomosis remains unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of preoperative supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on the healing of colonic anastomoses of well-nourished rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty Wistar adult male rats, weighing 234.4±22.3 g were used. The animals were divided into two groups: the control group received for seven days olive oil rich in omega-9 oil through an orogastric tube, while the study group received isocaloric and isovolumetric omega-3 emulsion at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day, also for seven days. Both groups were submitted to two colotomies followed by anastomosis, in the right and left colon, respectively. Parameters evaluated included changes in body weight, anastomotic complications and mortality, as well as maximum tensile strength by using a tensiometer and collagen densitometry at the anastomotic site.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in body weight or mortality and morbidity between groups. The value of the maximum tensile strength of the control group was 1.9±0.3 N and the study group 1.7±0.2, p=0.357. There was, however, a larger amount of type I collagen deposition in the study group (p=0.0126). The collagen maturation índex was 1.74±0.71 in the control group and 1.67±0.5 in the study group; p=0,719).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preoperative supplementation of omega-3 fatty acid in rats is associated with increased collagen deposition of type I fibers in colonic anastomoses on the 5th postoperative day. No differences were observed in the tensile strength or collagen maturation index.
authors.affiliation: Paraná Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR.
authors.forename: Tiago Jacometo Coelho
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: de Castilho
authors.affiliation: Paraná Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR.
authors.forename: Antônio Carlos Ligocki
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphophysiological Science, State University of Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eneri Vieira de Souza Leite
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Mello
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3