Abstract
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementations are thought to improve essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) as well as reduce inflammation in Cystic Fibrosis (CF), but their effectiveness in clinical studies remains unknown. The aim of the study was to determine how the medical food containing docosahexaenoic acid monoglyceride (MAG-DHA) influenced erythrocyte fatty acid profiles and the expression levels of inflammatory circulating mediators. We conducted a randomized, double blind, pilot trial including fifteen outpatients with Cystic Fibrosis, ages 18–48. The patients were divided into 2 groups and received MAG-DHA or a placebo (sunflower oil) for 60 days. Patients took 8 × 625 mg MAG-DHA softgels or 8 × 625 mg placebo softgels every day at bedtime for 60 days. Lipid analyses revealed that MAG-DHA increased docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and decrease arachidonic acid (AA) ratio (AA/DHA) in erythrocytes of CF patients following 1 month of daily supplementation. Data also revealed a reduction in plasma human leukocyte elastase (pHLE) complexes and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression levels in blood samples of MAG-DHA supplemented CF patients. This pilot study indicates that MAG-DHA supplementation corrects erythrocyte AA/DHA imbalance and may exert anti-inflammatory properties through the reduction of pHLE complexes and IL6 in blood samples of CF patients. Trial registration: Pro-resolving Effect of MAG-DHA in Cystic Fibrosis (PREMDIC), NCT02518672.
Highlights
A new marine omega-3 compound, a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) sn1-monoacylglyceride (MAG-DHA), was synthesized in order to evaluate its anti-inflammatory properties in CysticFibrosis (CF) patients
This pilot study indicates that MAG-DHA supplementation corrects erythrocyte arachidonic acid (AA)/DHA imbalance and may exert anti-inflammatory properties through the reduction of plasma human leukocyte elastase (pHLE) complexes and IL6 in blood samples of Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients
Consistent with previous literature, our results revealed lower DHA levels in red blood cells of CF patients of both groups at T0 when compared to the levels obtained in healthy subjects (Figure 1A)
Summary
A new marine omega-3 compound, a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) sn1-monoacylglyceride (MAG-DHA), was synthesized in order to evaluate its anti-inflammatory properties in CysticFibrosis (CF) patients. A new marine omega-3 compound, a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) sn1-monoacylglyceride (MAG-DHA), was synthesized in order to evaluate its anti-inflammatory properties in Cystic. CF results from mutations affecting a single gene, located on the long arm of chromosome 7 and encoding for the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein [5,6]. Malfunction of this chloride channel in CF patients increases viscosity of ductal fluids and is frequently associated with an excessive host inflammatory response. Conditions leading to fat malabsorption, as in CF, have been associated with a high incidence of essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD).
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