Does supplementation of formula with evening primrose and fish oils augment long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status of low birthweight infants to that of breast-fed counterparts?

We investigated whether formulae with evening primrose and fish oils raise long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in plasma cholesterol ester s (CE), erythrocytes (RSC) and platelets (PLT) to levels encountered in bre ast-fed infants. Low birthweight infants (less than or equal to 2500 g) rec eived LCP1 formula (n=16; 0.31% 18:3 omega 6, 0.17% 20:5 omega 3 and 0.20% 22:6 omega 3) or LCP2 formula (n=13; 0.32% 18:3 w6, 0.34% 20:5 omega 3 and 0.43% 22:6 omega 3). Fatty acids were measured days 10+/-2, 20+/-3 and 42+/ -3. The formulae raised CE, RBC and PLT 20:5 omega 3 and 22:6 omega 3 dose- dependently (P<0.01), to exceed levels of breast-fed babies (n=18) day 42 ( P<0.05). CE, RBC and PLT 20:3 omega 6 was comparable with, and CE, RBC, PLT 20:4 omega 6 were below, that of breast-fed infants (P<0.05). Dietary 20:5 omega 3 and 22:6 omega 3 related with CE, RBC and PLT 20:5 omega 3 and 22: 6 omega 3 (n=47; P less than or equal to 0.01). Dietary 20:5 omega 3 and LC PUFA omega 3 related inversely with CE, RBC and PLT 20:4 omega 6 and LCPUFA omega 6 (P less than or equal to 0.002). LCP1 and LCP2 fed infants had sim ilar LCPUFA omega 6 status day 42. Added 18:3 omega 6 does not correct 20:4 omega 6 to that of breast-fed infants, but improves 20:3 omega 6 status. F ish oil dose-dependently raises 20:5 omega 3 and 22:6 omega 3, but decrease s 20:4 omega 6 and other LCPUFA omega 6.