A. Belluzzi et al., EFFECTS OF NEW FISH-OIL DERIVATIVE AN FATTY-ACID PHOSPHOLIPID-MEMBRANE PATTERN IN A GROUP OF CROHNS-DISEASE PATIENTS, Digestive diseases and sciences, 39(12), 1994, pp. 2589-2594
Fish oil has been recently proposed as a possible effective treatment
in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, a lot of annoying side e
ffects (ie, belching, halitosis, diarrhea, etc) affect patient complia
nce. We carried out a study of patient tolerance in a group of Crohn's
disease (CD) patients with a new fish oil derivative consisting of 50
0-mg capsules of eicosapentaenoic-docosahexaenoic (EPA 40%-DHA 20%), a
free fatty acid mixture (Purepa), and we also evaluated its incorpora
tion into phospholipids, both in plasma and in red cell membranes. Fiv
e groups of 10 CD patients in remission received nine Purepa capsules
daily in four different preparations (A: uncoated, B: coated, pH 5.5;
C: coated, pH 5.5, 60 min time release; D: coated, pH 6.9) and 12 x 1-
g capsules daily of a triglyceride preparation (Max-EPA, EPA 18%-DHA 1
0%), respectively. We coated three of the four Purepa preparations in
order to delay the release of contents in an attempt to minimize the S
ide effects. After six weeks of treatment, the group taking Purepa cap
sules, coated, pH 5.5, 60 min time release (group C) showed the best i
ncorporation of EPA and DHA in red blood cell phospholipid membranes (
EPA from 0.2 to 4.4%, DHA from 3.7 to 6.3%), and no side effects were
registered, whereas in all other groups side effects were experienced
in 50% or more of subjects. This new preparation will make it possible
to treat patients for long periods.