Effect of a Fish Oil–Containing Beverage on Changes in Plasma Lipid Fatty Acids in Patients With Malabsorption

• Published in: Nutrition in clinical practice 2010-10, Vol.25 (5), p.517-523
• Main Authors: McCowen, Karen C., Ling, Pei-Ra, Ollero, Mario, Tawa, Nicholas, Bistrian, Bruce R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; arachidonic acid; Arachidonic Acid - analysis; Beverages; Dietary Supplements; fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - blood; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - pharmacology; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - therapeutic use; Female; fish oils; Humans; Inflammation Mediators - blood; malabsorption syndromes; Malabsorption Syndromes - blood; Malabsorption Syndromes - drug therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Nursing; omega‐3; Parenteral Nutrition; Phospholipids - blood; Phospholipids - chemistry; Pilot Projects; short bowel syndrome; Triglycerides - blood; Triglycerides - chemistry
• ISSN: 0884-5336; 1941-2452
• DOI: 10.1177/0884533610379815

Background: The aim of this pilot study was to assess tolerance of a beverage containing ω-3 fatty acids (fish oil) in patients with malabsorption receiving chronic parenteral nutrition (PN). The authors wanted to determine whether fish oil could be absorbed and incorporated into plasma fatty acids and reduce markers of inflammation. Methods: This was a small intervention study in home-dwelling PN-dependent patients with chronic malabsorption. Ten patients were provided a drink containing 1.5 g of fish oil per day for 12 weeks. Baseline and post–supplement serum fatty acid profiles were compared. Results: Five of 10 patients withdrew from the study because of GI side effects, principally worsened diarrhea, associated with the supplement. Modest increases were found in 20:5ω-3, 22:5ω-3, and 22:6ω-3 levels in both phospholipids and triglycerides in plasma (all P < .05). In phospholipids, a reduced arachidonic acid level was seen (P = .02). These changes were not sufficient to effect improvements in serum tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNFα), soluble TNF receptor, C-reactive protein, or interleukin-6. Conclusions: Some patients with severe malabsorption can absorb oral ω-3 fatty acid supplements and incorporate these fatty acids into serum phospholipids and triglycerides. However, side effects are very common, and no anti-inflammatory effect was found, presumably related to the modest level of fatty acid change.