EFFICACY OF N-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACID ENRICHED ENTERAL NUTRIENT IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH DIGESTIVE DISEASE

• Published in: Nihon Rinsho Geka Gakkai Zasshi (Journal of Japan Surgical Association) Vol. 65; no. 2; pp. 295 - 301
• Main Authors: TANAKA, Yoshiaki, MIZOTE, Hiroyoshi, NAKAMIZO, Hirotaka, ASAGIRI, Kimio, AKIYOSHI, Kenjiro, TSURU, Tomomitsu, HIKIDA, Shigeki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Surgical Association 25.02.2004
• Subjects: diamine oxidase
• ISSN: 1345-2843; 1882-5133
• DOI: 10.3919/jjsa.65.295

It is still unclear whether n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids enriched enteral nutrient (n-6PUFA-EN) or n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids enriched enteral nutrient (n-3 PUFA-EN) is more effective in the protein synthesis, fat metabolism and mucosal integrity of the intestine in the nutritional management of pediatric patients with digestive disease. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of n-3 PUFA-EN in pediatric patients with digestive disease. Patients and method: Eleven pediatric patients were studied after surgery for digestive disease. They were nutritionally treated with n-6 PUFA-EN and subsequently with n-3 PUFA-EN. Serum fatty acid analysis, total protein, albumin, rapid turnover proteins and plasma diamine oxidase activity (DAO) as a marker of mucosal integrity of the intestine were evaluated before and after administration of n-3 PUFA-EN. The ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFA was decreased within the normal range during n-3 PUFA-EN administration. The ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid was 0.08 before and reached 0.20 after administration. The serum total lipid fatgram normalized. The prealbumin and the retinol-binding protein increased significantly. DAO (unit/l) was 4.21 before and reached 8.63 after administration. Conclusion: These results suggest that the administration of n-3 PUFA-EN is effective to improve not only systemic metabolism but also intestinal integrity.