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Polyunsaturated fatty acids balance affects platelet NOX2 activity in patients with liver cirrhosis

Basili S, Raparelli V, Napoleone L, Del Ben M, Merli M, Riggio O, Nocella C, Carnevale R et al.

Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver, 2014

51 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: NADPH-oxidase-2 up-regulation has been suggested in liver damage perpetuation via an oxidative stress-mediated mechanism. n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio derangement has been reported in liver disease.

AIM: To explore polyunsaturated fatty acids balance and its interplay with platelet oxidative stress in liver cirrhosis.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study in 51 cirrhotic patients and sex- and age-matched controls was performed. Serum polyunsaturated fatty acids and oxidative stress markers (urinary isoprostanes and serum soluble NADPH-oxidase-2-derived peptide) were measured. The effect on platelet oxidative stress of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio in vitro and in vivo (1-week supplementation with 3g/daily n-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids) was tested.

RESULTS: Compared to controls, cirrhotic patients had significantly higher n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio. n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio correlated significantly with disease severity and oxidative stress markers. In vitro experiments showed that in Child-Pugh C patients' platelets incubation with low n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio resulted in dose-dependent decrease of radical oxigen species (-39%), isoprostanes (-25%) and NADPH-oxidase-2 regulation (-51%). n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplemented patients showed significant oxidative stress indexes reduction.

CONCLUSIONS: In cirrhosis, n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids imbalance up-regulates platelet…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 51 participants or records.

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