Lipids in critical care medicine.
Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids
; 85(5): 267-73, 2011 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21546231
ABSTRACT
While enteral nutrition is the basis for the critically ill, parenteral nutrition is often used when a sufficient enteral nutrition is not or not fully achievable. Lipids are a mainstay of caloric supply in both cases as they combine the provision of building blocks for the membranes and are precursors for function molecules including lipid mediators bearing the ability to influence immunity. Pro-inflammatory lipid mediators as prostaglandins and leukotrienes are generated from arachidonic acid (AA), a key member of the n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In contrast, lipid mediators derived from the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may exhibit less inflammatory properties compared to their AA-derived counterparts. Furthermore, intercellular mediators as resolvins and protectins are generated from n-3 fatty acids. They induce the resolution of inflammation, hence the name resolution phase interaction product-resolvin. Modulating the amount of PUFA and the n-6/n-3 ratio were investigated as means to change the inflammatory response and improve the outcome of patients. Experimental data showed that n-3 fatty acids may improve acute lung injury and sepsis in animal models. Studies in patients undergoing major surgery with application of n-3 fatty acids demonstrated beneficial effects in terms of reduction of length of stay and infectious complications. Clinical data hints that this concept may also improve outcome in critically ill patients. Additionally, experimental and clinical data suggest that a reduction in n-6 PUFA may change the immune response. In conclusion, modulating the amount of PUFA, the n-6/n-3 ratio and the composition of lipid emulsions may prove to be a useful means to improve the outcome of critically ill patients.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Ácido Eicosapentaenoico
/
Ácidos Docosa-Hexaenoicos
/
Sepse
/
Cuidados Críticos
/
Ácidos Graxos Ômega-6
/
Lesão Pulmonar Aguda
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article