The effect of parenteral fish oil on leukocyte membrane fatty acid composition and leukotriene-synthesizing capacity in patients with postoperative trauma

The incorporation of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (FAs) into leukocyte membranes and the leukotriene (LT)B-4-, LTB(5)-, LTC(4)-, and LTC(5)-synthesizing capacity in stimulated leukocytes were measured following parenteral omega-3 FA nutrition in 20 postoperative patients. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) over 5 days postoperatively was isonitrogenous (0.24 g N . kg(-1). d(-1)) and isoenergetic (92 kJ/22 kcal . kg(-1). d(-1)), containing 0.15 g fish oil and 0.85 g soybean oil per kg(-1). d(-1) (FO) or 1.0 g soybean oil . kg(-1). d(-1) (SO). Following 5 days' FO administration, the content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was increased 2.5-fold, LTB(5) 1.5-fold, and LTC(5) sevenfold. With SO nutrition, EPA and LTB(5) generation remained unaltered, whereas LTC(5) doubled. The production of LTB(4) and LTC(4) was not affected in any of the groups. We conclude that a 5-day parenteral fish oil supplementation has an immunomodulatory effect on lipid-mediator generation in human leukocytes in postoperative trauma. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company