<<snip>> omega-3 fatty acids may act as free radical scavengers <<snip>>
Nutrition. 2003 Oct;19(10):837-42. Related Articles, Links
Decreased oxidative stress in patients with ulcerative colitis supplemented with fish oil omega-3
fatty acids.
Barbosa DS, Cecchini R, El Kadri MZ, Rodriguez MA, Burini RC, Dichi I.
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Londrina State University, Londrina, Parana, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE: The potential pathogenicity of free radicals may have a pivotal role in ulcerative
colitis. Fish oil omega-3 fatty acids exert anti-inflammatory effects on patients with ulcerative
colitis (UC), but the precise mechanism of the action of fish oil on oxidative stress is still
controversial. The aim of the present work was to verify the blood oxidative stress in patients with
UC and determine whether the association of sulfasalazine to fish oil omega-3 fatty acids is more
effective than isolated use of sulfasalazine to reduce the oxidative stress. METHODS: Nine patients
(seven female and two male; mean age = 40 +/- 11 y) with mild or moderate active UC were studied in
a randomized crossover design. In addition to their usual medication (2 g/d of sulfasalazine), they
received fish oil omega-3 fatty acids (4.5 g/d) or placebo for 2-mo treatment periods that were
separated by 2 mo, when they only received sulfasalazine. Nine healthy individuals served as control
subjects to study the oxidative stress status. Disease activity was assessed by laboratory
indicators (C-reactive protein, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, alpha1-antitrypsin, erythrocyte
sedimentation rate, albumin, hemoglobin, and platelet count), sigmoidoscopy, and histology scores.
Analysis of oxidative stress was assessed by plasma chemiluminescence and erythrocyte lipid
peroxidation, both induced by tert butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) and by plasma malondialdehyde.
Antioxidant status was assayed by total plasma antioxidant capacity (TRAP) and microsomal lipid
peroxidation inhibition (LPI). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase erythrocyte enzymatic
activities were also determined. RESULTS: No significant changes were observed in any laboratory
indicator or in the sigmoidoscopy or histology scores, with the exception of erythrocyte
sedimentation rate, which decreased with both treatments. Oxidative stress was demonstrated by
significant decreases in TRAP and LPI levels, increased chemiluminescence induced by t-BuOOH, and
higher SOD activity in patients with UC. Treatment with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids reverted the
chemiluminescence induced by t-BuOOH and LPI to baseline levels but that did not occur when patients
received only sulfasalazine. Levels of plasma malondialdehyde, erythrocyte lipid peroxidation, and
catalase were not different from those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that
plasma oxidative stress occurs in patients with UC, and there was a significant decrease when the
patients used sulfasalazine plus fish oil omega-3 fatty acids. However, there was no improvement in
most laboratory indicators, sigmoidoscopy, and histology scores. The results suggested that omega-3
fatty acids may act as free radical scavengers protecting the patients against the overall effect of
oxidative stress.
PMID: 14559317 [PubMed - in process]
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