Effects of postnatal omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on offspring pro-resolving mediators of inflammation at 6 months and 5 years of age: A double blind, randomized controlled clinical trial

• Published in: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and essential fatty acids leukotrienes and essential fatty acids, 2017-11, Vol.126, p.126-132
• Main Authors: See, V.H.L., Mas, E., Prescott, S.L., Beilin, L.J., Burrows, S., Barden, A.E., Huang, R.C., Mori, T.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers - blood; Child, Preschool; Dietary Supplements - adverse effects; Docosahexaenoic Acids - administration & dosage; Docosahexaenoic Acids - blood; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - administration & dosage; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - blood; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - adverse effects; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - blood; Female; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids - blood; Infant; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - physiopathology; Male; Olive Oil - administration & dosage; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Pregnancy
• ISSN: 0952-3278; 1532-2823
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2017.08.008

Resolution of inflammation is an active process involving specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) generated from the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during infancy may provide an intervention strategy to modify SPMs and reduce oxidative stress. This study evaluates the effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in infancy on SPMs and F2-isoprostanes from 6 months to 5 years of age. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study design, 420 infants were randomized to a daily supplement of omega-3 fatty acids (280mg DHA and 110mg EPA) or olive oil (control), from birth to age 6 months. Blood was collected at birth (cord blood), 6 months, 12 months and 5 years. Plasma SPMs included 18-HEPE, E-series resolvins, 17-HDHA, D-series resolvins, 14-HDHA, 10S,17S-DiHDoHE, MaR1 and PD1. F2-isoprostanes were measured in plasma and urine, as markers of oxidative stress in vivo. The change in the concentration of 18-HEPE from birth to 6 months was greater in the omega-3 fatty acid group (Ptimepoint*group=0.04) with levels at 6 months significantly higher than controls (P=0.02). Other SPMs were not different between the groups at any time point. Plasma 18-HEPE concentration were associated with erythrocyte EPA concentrations after age and group adjustments (P