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Omega-3 vs. omega-6 lipid emulsions exert differential influence on neutrophils in septic shock patients: impact on plasma fatty acids and lipid mediator generation

Mayer K, Fegbeutel C, Hattar K, Sibelius U, Krämer HJ, Heuer KU, Temmesfeld-Wollbrück B, Gokorsch S et al.

Intensive care medicine, 2003

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a conventional omega-6 lipid infusion and a fish oil based (omega-3) lipid infusion for parenteral nutrition on neutrophil function, lipid mediators, and plasma free fatty acids.

DESIGN AND SETTING: Open-label, randomized, pilot study in a university hospital medical intensive care unit and experimental laboratory.

PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Ten patients with septic shock and eight healthy controls.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients (five per group) requiring parenteral nutrition received intravenously either a omega-3 or a omega-6 lipid emulsion for a 10-day period.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: At baseline levels of plasma free fatty acids were elevated several-fold, including high concentrations of the omega-6 lipid precursor arachidonic acid (AA). Neutrophils isolated from septic patients displayed markedly reduced responsiveness to ex vivo stimulation, including lipid mediator generation [leukotrienes (LT), PAF], respiratory burst, and phosphoinositide hydrolysis signaling. Under the omega-6 lipid infusion regimen abnormalities in plasma free fatty acids and impairment of neutrophil functions persisted or worsened. In contrast, a rapid switch in the plasma free fatty acid fraction to predominance of the omega-3 acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid over AA occurred in response to omega-3 lipid infusion. LTB(5), in addition to LTB(4), appeared upon neutrophil stimulation originating from these patients, and neutrophil function was…

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