Effect of a parenteral fish oil-containing lipid emulsion on liver lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defenses in Lewis rats.

UNLABELLED: Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, naturally abundant in fish oil (FO), are known for their anti-inflammatory and potential antioxidant properties.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of the infusion of a fish oil-containing parenteral lipid emulsion (FOLE) on markers of liver lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in rats undergoing central venous catheterization (CVC).

METHOD: After 5 days acclimatization, adult Lewis rats (n=42) receiving 20g/day AIN-93M oral diet were randomly subdivided into 4 groups: 1) Basal control (BC) (n=6): without CVC or LE infusion; 2) SHAM (n=12): with CVC, but without LE infusion; 3) SO/MCT (n=12): with CVC and receiving LE without FO (4.3g fat/kg); 4) SO/MCT/FO (n=12): with CVC and receiving LE containing 10% FO (4.3g fat/kg). Animals from the BC group were sacrificed immediately after acclimatization. The remaining groups of animals were sacrificed after 48 or 72 hours of surgical follow up to assess: liver and plasma fatty acids profiles by gas chromatography, liver gene transcription factor Nrf2, F2-isoprostane lipid peroxidation biomarker, and the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) by ELISA, respectively. R program (version 3.2.2) was utilized for data analysis.

RESULTS: Compared to the other groups, liver EPA and DHA levels were higher in the SO/MCT/FO group, which also showed the highest liver Nrf2, GPx, SOD and CAT levels, and lower liver F2-Isoprostane (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Experimental delivery of FO, via EPA and DHA sources in a parenteral lipid emulsion was associated with a liver antioxidant effect.

DESCRIPTORS: fatty acids, omega-3; fish oils; parenteral nutrition; antioxidant enzymes; nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2); rats. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.