impact of omega-3 fatty acids enriched total parenteral nutrition on blood chemistry and inflammatory markers in septic patients

Objective: Lipid emulsions containing omega-3 are known to have positive effects on patient’s prognosis due to anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of omega-3 enriched total parenteral nutrition (TPN) emulsion containing omega-9 on biochemical parameters, inflammatory mediators in septic patients.

Methods: Thirty-two participants who were not fed orally for over five days and needing TPN support were included in this prospective, randomized and double-blind clinical study. Patients were randomly divided into control (n=16), treatment (n=16) groups. The treatment group received TPN containing 80% olive oil+20% soy oil additionally 10 g fish oil enriched TPN. Control group received only olive oil containing standard lipid emulsion (1.3±0.1 g/kg/day). Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis on the 1st and 6th days of study.

Results: The serum albumin levels significantly increased (p < 0.05) in both groups whereas total protein and prealbumin levels did not show any significant changes. In treatment group, significant decreases were determined in LTB4 and CRP levels (p < 0.05) while decreases in IL-6, TNF-α and leukocyte levels were not significant. No statistically significant changes were found in LTB4, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α and leukocyte levels of controls.

Conclusion: Results of the study have shown that omega-3 enriched TPN solution containing omega-9 contributes to decrease in the levels of inflammatory mediators and to improvement in the biochemical parameters in septic patients.