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Effects of -3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Inflammatory Markers in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the fifth-leading cause of death worldwide, is characterized by chronic inflammation. However, no available agent can effectively cure this inflammation. A dietary supplement containing -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we hypothesized that nutrition support with -3 PUFA-rich diets may be useful for treating COPD, and we compared the clinical features and inflammatory mediator levels between the COPD patients who received an -3 PUFA-rich supplement and those who received a nonrich supplement. Methods: Sixty-four COPD patients received 400 kcal per day of an -3 PUFA-rich supplement (-3 group) or an -3 PUFA-nonrich supplement (-6 group) for 2 years. We prospectively investigated the clinical features of these patients and measured the levels of inflammatory mediators. Results: In 6-minute walk testing, the dyspnea Borg scale and decrease of arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry significantly improved in the -3 group. Leukotriene B₄ levels in serum and sputum and tumor necrosis factor- and interleukin-8 levels in sputum decreased significantly in the -3 group, whereas there was no significant change in the -6 group. Two patients in the -3 group and 3 patients in the -6 group had mild diarrhea, and 3 patients in the -3 group and 3 patients in the -6 group had nausea; however, their symptoms were controllable and they improved with treatment. With multiple regression analysis, it was proved that the -3 PUFA-rich diet significantly contributed to the change in cytokine levels in this study. Conclusion: We suggest nutrition support with an -3 PUFA-rich diet as a safe and practical method for treating COPD.

Nutrition in Clinical Practice, Vol. 21, No. 5, 533-534 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0115426506021005533


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