Omega-3 fish oil reduces mortality due to severe sepsis with acute gastrointestinal injury grade III

Background: Sepsis plays an important role in acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI). Our research was designed to determine the effects of omega-3 fish oil (FO) in patients suffering from severe sepsis combined with AGI III, and the ability of FO to modulate immune function. Methods: Seventy-eight patients diagnosed with severe sepsis with AGI III and a need for mechanical ventilation were randomized to two groups. In the FO group, 50 g of long chain fatty acid soybean oil (n = 6) and 10 g of FO (n = 3) were administered as total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The control group was treated with 50 g of long chain fatty acid soybean oil without addition of FO to TPN. Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the two groups. The 60-day mortality was lower in the FO group. Multiple factor logistic regression analysis revealed that intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and abdominal infection were correlated with the FO intervention. The patients with abdominal infection demonstrated a lower mortality rate, fewer CD3 T lymphocytes, and fewer helper/inducer T lymphocytes in the FO group compared with the control group. After 7 days, the Marshall Score was lower in the FO group than in the control group. Conclusion: FO has positive effects in terms of improving the long-term prognosis of patients with severe sepsis with AGI III. Patients with a high IAP and abdominal infection might experience greater benefit from FO. This effect might be due, in part, to immunomodulation.