title: Iron and a mixture of DHA and EPA supplementation, alone and in combination, affect bioactive lipid signalling and morbidity of iron deficient South African school children in a two-by-two randomised controlled trial.
abstract: We recently reported that iron supplementation increased respiratory morbidity in iron deficient South African children. This increase, however, was attenuated when iron was provided in combination with a mixture of DHA/EPA. To explore potential underlying mechanisms, we examined the effects of iron and DHA/EPA, alone and in combination, on plasma lipid-derived immune modulator concentrations and related gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). DHA/EPA decreased inflammatory 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and tended to increase anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving 17-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (17-HDHA), while iron decreased 17-HDHA. However, in combination with iron, the anti-inflammatory effect of DHA/EPA was maintained. These biochemical changes may explain the prevention of iron-induced respiratory morbidity that we observed when iron was supplemented in combination with DHA/EPA during the 8.5 month randomised controlled trial and might lead to a safer approach of delivering iron supplementation. The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01092377.
authors: Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. Electronic address: linda.malan@nwu.ac.za.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Malan
authors: Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Baumgartner
authors: Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Zandberg
authors: The Human Development and Health Academic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; The NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre in Nutrition, Southampton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors: P C
authors: PC
authors: Calder
authors: Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors: C M
authors: CM
authors: Smuts
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D013020:South America
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D007501:Iron
keywords: Gene expression; Inflammation; Lipid-derived immune modulators; Morbidity; Omega-3 fatty acids; Oxidative stress