Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation Improve Nutritional Status and Inflammatory Response in Patients With Lung Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Frontiers in Nutrition

Feb 2021

DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.686752

Citations:29

Influential Citations:2

Interventional (Human) Studies

Enhanced Details

Methods

60 adults with pathology-confirmed lung cancer at nutritional risk (NRS-2002 score ≥4) were randomized to a double-blind, parallel-group trial of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation vs placebo. Two participants were excluded post-randomization (one due to poor compliance in the omega-3 group and one due to an allergic reaction in the placebo group), leaving 58 for analysis.

Intervention

EPA 1.6 g/day and DHA 0.8 g/day in fish oil gel capsules; taken daily for 12 weeks.

Results

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for 12 weeks improved nutritional status and reduced systemic inflammation versus placebo. Final weight: 66.71 kg vs 61.33 kg (p=0.021); final albumin: 4.74 vs 4.21 g/dL (p=0.013); final triglycerides: 130.90 vs 119.07 mg/dL (p=0.032). Inflammatory markers CRP decreased to 1.42 vs 3.00 mg/L (p=0.001) and TNF-α to 1.92 vs 4.24 pg/mL (p=0.001). IL-6 did not significantly change (final 4.15 vs 4.20 pg/mL). BMI, upper-arm circumference, and skinfold thickness showed no significant differences. Authors conclude omega-3 supplementation can improve nutritional status and suppress systemic inflammatory response in patients with lung cancer.

Limitations

Small sample size (n=60; 58 analyzed); single-center; short duration (12 weeks); population limited to nutritionally at-risk lung cancer patients; cannot distinguish effects of EPA vs DHA; focused on nutritional/inflammatory biomarkers with no mortality or chemotherapy-toxicity outcomes.

Abstract

Background and Aims: Clinical studies have reported positive results with omega-3 supplements in patients with cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in improving the nutritional status and inflammatory markers of patients with lung cancer. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, parallel design trial, 60 patients with lung cancer at nutritional status/risk based on the Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 were randomized to be allocated to two study groups, receiving omega-3 fatty acid supplements [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 1.6 g and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 0.8 g] or placebo for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements [weight, body mass index (BMI), the circumference of the upper arm, and skinfold thickness of triceps], nutrition-based laboratory indices (hemoglobin, albumin, triglyceride, and cholesterol), and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6)] were measured before and after the intervention as study outcomes. Results: No significant difference between the two study groups was observed regarding basic characteristics and study outcomes. Compared with placebo group, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation group showed significant higher weight (66.71 ± 9.17 vs. 61.33 ± 8.03, p = 0.021), albumin (4.74 ± 0.80 vs. 4.21 ± 0.77, p = 0.013), and triglyceride (130.90 ± 25.17 vs. 119.07 ± 14.44, p = 0.032). Inflammatory markers were significantly reduced in omega-3 group compared to placebo (CRP 1.42 ± 0.63 vs. 3.00 ± 1.05, p = 0.001 and TNF-α 1.92 ± 0.65 vs. 4.24 ± 1.19, p = 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two study groups regarding changes in BMI, the circumference of the upper arm, skinfold thickness of triceps, triglyceride, cholesterol, and IL-6 (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can improve nutritional status and suppress the systemic inflammatory response in patients with lung cancer. Clinical Trial Registration: www.socialscienceregistry.org, identifier: AEARCTR-0007165. show less