The clinical benefits of long-term supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in cystic fibrosis patients – A pilot study. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hanssens, L.; Thiébaut, I.; Lefèvre, N.; Malfroot, A.; Knoop, C.; Duchateau, J.; Casimir, G.
• Is Part Of: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids. Volume 108(2016:May)
• Page Start: 45
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Lipids -- Periodicals; Unsaturated fatty acids -- Periodicals; Prostaglandins -- Periodicals; Leukotrienes -- Periodicals; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated -- Periodicals; Acides gras insaturés -- Périodiques; Prostaglandines -- Périodiques; Leucotriènes -- Périodiques; Lipides -- Périodiques; 612.01577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2016.03.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-3278

Abstract

Abstract: Effectiveness of omega-3 supplementation in cystic fibrosis (CF) remains controversial. This study sought to evaluate clinical status, exercise tolerance, inflammatory parameters, and erythrocyte fatty acid profile after 1 year of oral omega-3 supplementation in CF patients. Fifteen ΔF508-homozygous patients undergoing chronic azithromycin were randomized to receive omega-3 fish oil supplementation at a dose of 60 mg/Kg/day or placebo. In comparison with the previous year, in the supplemented group, the number of pulmonary exacerbations decreased at 12 months (1.7 vs. 3.0, p <0.01), as did the duration of antibiotic therapy (26.5 days vs. 60.0 days, p <0.025). Supplementation significantly increased the levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as early as <3 months of administration, with concomitant decreases in arachidonic acid (AA) levels. This pilot study suggests that long-term omega-3 supplementation offers several clinical benefits as to the number of exacerbations and duration of antibiotic therapy in CF patients. Highlights: Essential fatty acid deficiency has been reported to occur in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The clinical benefits of omega-3 supplementation in CF remain controversial. This supplementation has shown beneficial in terms of duration of antibiotic therapy and number of exacerbations. Omega-3 supplementation should be considered as treatment for CF, particularly in patients with severe CF genotypes.