Fish Oil Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Fish Oil, including details on omega-3, dosage, health benefits, diet.

Intravenous lipid emulsions to deliver omega 3 fatty acids.

Carpentier YA, Hacquebard M

L. Deloyers Laboratory for Experimental Surgery, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Avenue J. Wybran 40, 1070 Brussels, Belgium. nutrisub@ulb.ac.be

A rapid supply of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may be indicated in some acute conditions because of the ability of n-3 PUFA to decrease inflammatory responses and cell sensitivity to various stimuli, and to improve endothelial dysfunction. To achieve these objectives, n-3 PUFA content needs to be quickly raised in cell membranes of key organs. Intravenous fish oil (FO) emulsions are available but their slow hydrolysis limits their infusion rate. Mixtures containing both FO triglycerides and medium chain triglycerides may overcome this problem. These new preparations are rapidly cleared from plasma and efficiently deliver n-3 PUFA to several tissues, largely via direct particle uptake. Recent data suggest that n-3 PUFA incorporation in phospholipids promptly modulates important cell functions. This review also focuses on a novel approach to rapidly supply n-3 PUFA to targeted organs which may offer interesting perspectives in the management of acute illnesses.

Published 4 September 2006 in Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 75(3): 145-8.
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