Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024 Apr 30;22(5):207.
doi: 10.3390/md22050207.

Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Docosahexaenoic Acid and Eicosapentaenoic Acid, on Post-Surgical Complications in Surgical Trauma Patients: Mechanisms, Nutrition, and Challenges

Asma Ouagueni  1 , Raed M Al-Zoubi  2   3   4 , Ahmad Zarour  5 , Abdulla Al-Ansari  2   6 , Hiba Bawadi  1
Affiliations
Review

Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Docosahexaenoic Acid and Eicosapentaenoic Acid, on Post-Surgical Complications in Surgical Trauma Patients: Mechanisms, Nutrition, and Challenges

Asma Ouagueni et al. Mar Drugs. .

Abstract

This paper aims to provide an in-depth review of the specific outcomes associated with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), focusing on their purported effects on post-surgical complications in trauma patients. A comprehensive investigation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was conducted until February 2023 using the PubMed database. Surgical trauma is characterized by a disruption in immune response post surgery, known to induce systemic inflammation. Omega-3 PUFAs are believed to offer potential improvements in multiple post-surgical complications because of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Inconsistent findings have emerged in the context of cardiac surgeries, with the route of administration playing a mediating role in these outcomes. The effects of omega-3 PUFAs on post-operative atrial fibrillation have exhibited variability across various studies. Omega-3 PUFAs have demonstrated positive effects in liver surgery outcomes and in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Omega-3 is suggested to offer potential benefits, particularly in the perioperative care of patients undergoing traumatic procedures. Incorporating omega-3 in such cases is hypothesized to contribute to a reduction in certain surgical outcomes, such as hospitalization duration and length of stay in the intensive care unit. Therefore, comprehensive assessments of adverse effects can aid in identifying the presence of subtle or inconspicuous side effects associated with omega-3.

Keywords: inflammation; omega-3; post-operative complications; surgery; trauma.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structures of α-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Summary of inflammatory resolution roles of EPA and DHA through different mechanisms.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The principal metabolic pathways for docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid that generate anti-inflammatory metabolites.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Summary of induced inflammation in the CNS and the role of omega-3 PUFA (DHA) in the inflammation resolution process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Ni Choileain N., Redmond H.P. Cell response to surgery. Arch. Surg. 2006;141:1132–1140. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.141.11.1132. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Desborough J.P. The stress response to trauma and surgery. Br. J. Anaesth. 2000;85:109–117. doi: 10.1093/bja/85.1.109. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Cuthbertson D.P. Observations on the disturbance of metabolism produced by injury to the limbs. QJM Int. J. Med. 1932;1:233–246.
    1. Angele M.K., Chaudry I.H. Surgical trauma and immunosuppression: Pathophysiology and potential immunomodulatory approaches. Langenbecks Arch. Surg. 2005;390:333–341. doi: 10.1007/s00423-005-0557-4. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Akira O., Yoji T., Riichiro N., Shoko L. Zinc in clinical surgery—A research review. Jpn. J. Surg. 1990;20:635–644. doi: 10.1007/BF02471026. - DOI - PubMed

MeSH terms