Fish oil

About: Fish oil is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 9887 publications have been published within this topic receiving 367953 citations. The topic is also known as: fish oils & Fish oil.

Protective Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction in Asthmatic Subjects: 2160

Abstract: BACKGROUND Previous research has demonstrated that fish oil supplementation has a protective effect on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in elite athletes, which may be attributed to its antiinflammatory properties. Since EIB in asthma involves proinflammatory mediator release, it is feasible that fish oil supplementation may reduce the severity of EIB in asthmatic subjects. STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy of fish oil supplementation on severity of EIB in subjects with asthma. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, crossover study. SETTING Lung function and exercise testing in a university research laboratory. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS Sixteen asthmatic patients with documented EIB entered the study on their normal diet and then received either fish oil capsules containing 3.2 g of eicosapentaenoic acid and 2.0 g of docohexaenoic acid (fish oil diet, n = 8) or placebo capsules (placebo diet, n = 8) daily for 3 weeks. At the beginning of the study (normal diet) and at the end of each treatment phase, the following pre-exercise and postexercise measures were assessed: (1) pulmonary function; (2) induced sputum differential cell count percentage and proinflammatory eicosanoid metabolite (leukotriene C4 [LTC4]-leukotriene E4 [LTE4] and prostaglandin D2 [PGD2]) and cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1beta and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) concentrations; and (3) eicosanoid metabolites leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and leukotriene B5 (LTB(5)) generation from activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs). RESULTS On the normal and placebo diet, subjects exhibited EIB. However, the fish oil diet improved pulmonary function to below the diagnostic EIB threshold, with a concurrent reduction in bronchodilator use. Induced sputum differential cell count percentage and concentrations of LTC4-LTE4, PGD2, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha were significantly reduced before and following exercise on the fish oil diet compared to the normal and placebo diets. There was a significant reduction in LTB4 and a significant increase in LTB5 generation from activated PMNLs on the fish oil diet compared to the normal and placebo diets. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that fish oil supplementation may represent a potentially beneficial nonpharmacologic intervention for asthmatic subjects with EIB.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Abstract: Fatty acids in our diet are mainly of two types, viz., essential and non-essential. Essential fatty acids are needed for normal growth and development but cannot be synthesized by our body. Omega-3 fatty acids belong to this class. Long chain omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexanoic acid are built up in algae and plankton and the fish living on them. Deep sea fish and the fish oil produced from them provide the main source for omega-3 fatty acids, which promote formation of eicosanoids with anti-inflammatory characteristics. Naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids can be supplied by oral or parenteral route so as to influence inflammatory reactions and immunological resistance. Their beneficial effects upon oral administration are well established. This article is aimed at highlighting the advantages of omega-3 fatty acids when included as a part of parenteral nutrition supplement. The patients in different clinical conditions who can benefit from this therapy have been indicated.