Superiority of a fish oil–enriched emulsion to medium-chain triacylglycerols/long-chain triacylglycerols in gastrointestinal surgery patients: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract Objective Compared with soybean oil, a fish oil–enriched emulsion can improve the clinical outcomes of patients requiring parenteral nutrition. However, the superiority of fish oil emulsion to medium-chain triacylglycerols/long-chain triacylglycerols for short-term administration has seldom been discussed. Methods Sixty-four adult patients with gastrointestinal diseases were randomly assigned to receive isocaloric and isonitrogenous total parenteral nutrition with an ω-3 fatty acid–enriched emulsion (Lipoplus; study group, n = 32) or medium-chain triacylglycerols/long-chain triacylglycerols (Lipofundin; control group, n = 32) for 5 d after surgery. Safety and efficacy parameters were assessed on postoperative days 1, 3, and 6. Results Clinical outcomes including infectious complications and systemic inflammatory response syndrome were comparable between the two groups. Total bilirubin decreased over time in the study group versus an increase in the control group ( P = 0.017). Activated partial thromboplastin time in the study group was prolonged significantly compared with the control group from days 1 to 3 ( P = 0.002), although the prolongation stopped at the study termination. There were no differences in changes of C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-8, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the distribution of the T-cell subpopulation between the two groups. However, fish oil consumption led to an increase in leukotriene B5/ leukotriene B4 and significant decreases in IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nuclear factor-κB. Furthermore, the overall changes in tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-κB were positively associated ( R2 = 0.295, P < 0.001). Conclusions Gastrointestinal surgery patients benefited from a fish oil–enriched emulsion rather than medium-chain triacylglycerols/long-chain triacylglycerols in the amelioration of liver function and immune status. The positive association of tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-κB might be involved in the potential anti-inflammation mechanism of fish oil.