EFFECTS OF NEW FISH-OIL DERIVATIVE AN FATTY-ACID PHOSPHOLIPID-MEMBRANE PATTERN IN A GROUP OF CROHNS-DISEASE PATIENTS

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.