Effect of intravenous infusion of omega-3 and omega-6 lipid emulsions on equine monocyte fatty acid composition and inflammatory mediator production in vitro.

This study examines how injected lipid emulsions rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids affect the fatty acid composition of horse monocyte cells and their inflammatory response.

Research Overview

A randomized crossover research design was used in this study where horses were administered intravenous lipid emulsions containing omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids. The monocytes, a type of white blood cell, were then isolated from the horses at various periods to study the changes in their fatty acid composition following the infusion and their capacity to produce inflammatory mediators.

Fatty Acid Changes

• It was observed that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from the administered emulsions integrated themselves into the monocyte phospholipids right after the infusion.
• Changes in the fatty acid composition in these monocyte cells sustained for up to 7 days post infusion.

Inflammatory Evaluations

• Production of inflammatory mediators- thromboxane B2/B3 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, by peripheral blood monocytes was decreased by omega-3 lipid infusion.
• Conversely, production of these inflammatory mediators remained unchanged or even increased in response to omega-6 lipid infusion.

Research Implications

• The observed results demonstrate that short-term infusions of lipid emulsions enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have the ability to change the composition of fatty acids in equine monocyte cells and alter their inflammatory responses.
• This opens a new avenue of research into the use of omega-3 fatty acids for the supportive treatment of patients suffering from multiple organ dysfunction (MODS) or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).