DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID (DHA) FEEDING IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS PATIENTS

摘要

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients often present with abnormal essential fatty acid levels. Plasma fatty acid analysis indicates low levels of linoleic (18:2n-6) and docosahexaenoic (DHA)(22:6n-3) acids. Low levels of DHA have also been reported in other tissues in CF patients, particularly in those with the AF508 genotype. Normalizing this biochemical deficiency of DHA has failed with improved dietary fat intake or reduced fat malabsorption with pancreatic enzymes. This study investigated the effect of supplementing five ΔF508 genotype CF patients with 70 mg/kg body weight/d DHA. Following a six week treatment period, the effect of feeding DHA was evaluated in fatty acids from plasma, red blood cells (RBC) and duodenal mucosal biopsy samples. Pulmonary function, safety (chemical chemistry and physical exam) and tolerance (compliance, diarrhea and stomach upset) were assessed. One subject was dropped from the final data set for noncompliance. No treatment-related, serious adverse experiences were reported. Pre- and post measurements were compared. An increase in DHA content (%w/w) was observed in all phospholipid fractions in plasma, RBC and mucosal samples. This increase reached significance primarily in plasma phospholipids and in mucosal phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine fractions. A significant decrease in 20:4n-6 level was observed after DHA feeding in plasma phosphatidylcholine. These results suggest an increase in blood and tissue DHA levels in CF patients can be achieved by supplementing with 70 mg/kg/d DHA for 6 weeks. (Sponsored by Martek Biosciences Corporation).