FISH-OIL DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION FOR PREVENTION OF INDOMETHACIN-INDUCED GASTRIC AND SMALL-BOWEL TOXICITY IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS

Objective. To determine if N-3 fatty rid (fish oil) dietary supplement s could favorably alter indomethacin induced gastric and small bowel t oxicity related to use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID). Methods. Healthy volunteers consumed 8 g of N-3 fatty acids for 16 we eks, while controls consumed corn oil. Subjects ingested indomethacin 50 mg tid between Weeks 12 and 16. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endosco py with biopsies and Cr-EDTA swallows were performed at week 12 and ag ain at Week 16. Biopsy specimens were graded for inflammation and endo scopic scores Were ere recorded. Results. No significant differences w ere seen between groups in any study variable, although the direction of change favored the fish oil subjects for inflammation scores in bot h the stomach and duodenum (fish oil subjects -0.50+/-1.2 stomach, -0. 28+/-0.97 duodenum; and corn oil subjects +0.10+/-0.84 stomach, +0.20/-0.79 duodenum; p=0.086). Direction of change in stomach inflammation showed a trend favoring fish oil (p=0.056 by chi square). Conclusion. Although no significant differences were seen between groups, the cha nges observed in inflammation suggest a possible benefit of fish oil i n the amelioration of NSAID induced GI inflammation.