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. 2023 May 26;12(11):3704.
doi: 10.3390/jcm12113704.

Changes of Erythrocyte Fatty Acids after Supplementation with Highly Concentrated Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial

Roser Ayats-Vidal  1 , Montserrat Bosque-García  1 , Begoña Cordobilla  2 , Oscar Asensio-De la Cruz  1 , Miguel García-González  1 , Jesús Castro-Marrero  3 , Irene López-Rico  4 , Joan Carles Domingo  2
Affiliations

Changes of Erythrocyte Fatty Acids after Supplementation with Highly Concentrated Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial

Roser Ayats-Vidal et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

We characterized the fatty acid profiles in the erythrocyte membrane of pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) receiving highly concentrated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation (Tridocosahexanoin-AOX® 70%) at 50 mg/kg/day (n = 11) or matching placebo (n = 11) for 12 months. The mean age was 11.7 years. The DHA group showed a statistically significant improvement in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which was observed as early as 6 months and further increased at 12 months. Among the n-3 PUFAs, there was a significant increase in DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Additionally, a statistically significant decrease in n-6 PUFAs was found, primarily due to a decrease in arachidonic acid (AA) levels and elongase 5 activity. However, we did not observe any changes in linoleic acid levels. The long-term administration of DHA over one year was safe and well tolerated. In summary, the administration of a high-rich DHA supplement at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day for one year can correct erythrocyte AA/DHA imbalance and reduce fatty acid inflammatory markers. However, it is important to note that essential fatty acid alterations cannot be fully normalized with this treatment. These data provide timely information of essential fatty acid profile for future comparative research.

Keywords: cystic fibrosis; docosahexaenoic acid; eicosapentaenoic acid; fatty acids; omega-3; pancreatic insufficiency; randomized controlled study.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of the study population.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of fatty acid composition (mean ± standard error of the mean, SEM) in the erythrocyte membrane in the groups of supplementation with DHA (squares, red line) or placebo (circles, black line). (A): n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); (B): arachidonic acid (ARA); (C): n-3 PUFAs; (D): eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); (E): docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); (F): omega-3 index; (G): anti-inflammatory fatty acid index (AIFAI); (H): elongase 5 activity. *** p < 0.001 indicating statistically differences into groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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