Oral administration of n-3 fatty acids positively affect the mucosal lesions after experimental ischemic enteritis in the rat

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of oral administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in experimental ischemic enteritis in rats. Methods: Forty Wistar rats were submitted to control narrowing of the superior mesenteric artery and were divided in two groups: N3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which received a high-molecular polymer solution of artificial total enteral nutrition enriched with n-3 fatty acids and CONTROL which received a high-molecular polymer solution of artificial total enteral nutrition. Results: Reduction of the animals’ body weight was observed in both groups, but there was no difference between the two groups. Regarding the level of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Ischemic lesions to the small bowel mucosa were observed in both groups. A statistically significant difference in the extent of intestinal lesions was observed between the two groups with the animals that received enteral nutrition enriched with n-3 fatty acid developing fewer lesions. Conclusion: Enteral nutrition enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces the mucosal lesions caused by mesenteric ischemia compared to standard enteral nutrition, by modifying the local, but not the systemic, immune, and inflammatory response.

Keywords

• Cytokines. Immunonutrition. Intestinal ischemia. N-3 fatty acids. Small bowel. Ischemic enteritis.