n-3 fatty acid supplementation in burn patients: biochemical and clinical effects

MARIN MARIA CRISTINA; OSIMANI NIDIA; REY GLADYS; VESPACIANI RICARDO; TACCONI DE ALANIZ MARIA JOSEFA

Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Congreso; XLIII Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; 2007

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular

Burn injury induces a systemic response that leads to the development of alterations, including lipid metabolism. Diet is part of therapy and lipids must be included to provide energy and to prevent essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency. EFA are involved in wound healing and immune function. In the present study we studied the effect of supplementation of the diet of burn patients with n-3 fatty acids on the fatty acid composition of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids and its correlation with several clinical parameters. Peidatric patiets admitted at the Children Hospital of La Plata with burn injury were selected and assigned into two groups. One of them received a dietary supplement of n-3 fatty acids for four weeks. No burn patients were selected as control. Blood samples were collected immediately after burn injury and during recovery. Neutral and polar lipids were separated from erythrocytes and plasma, and phospholipid fatty acid composition was determined. We also analyzed biochemical parameters related to the clinical evolution. Results showed an increase of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in plasma phospholipids, and a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids in the early postburn profile when compared with control. In n-3 fatty acid supplemented group these changes were further reverted. A favorable response in some biochemical parameters was also shown.