Fish Oil N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Selectively Affect Plasma Cytokines and Decrease Illness in Thai Schoolchildren: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Intervention Trial
Received 9 May 2008; received in revised form 19 August 2008; accepted 4 September 2008. published online 20 October 2008.
Objective
To determine whether very long–chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) affect illness and selected plasma cytokines in schoolchildren.
Study design
Thai schoolchildren aged 9 to 12 years consumed milk containing placebo (soybean) oil (n = 86) or fish oil (n = 94) on 5 days per week for 6 months; the latter provided 200 mg eicosapentaenoic acid plus 1 g docosahexaenoic acid daily. Episodes and duration of illness were recorded, and plasma interleukin (IL)-2 receptor, IL-6, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 concentrations and the fatty acid profile of plasma phosphatidylcholine determined.
Results
After intervention, very long–chain n-3 PUFAs were higher in plasma phosphatidylcholine in the fish oil group than in the placebo group (P < .001). The fish oil group showed fewer episodes (P = .014) and shorter duration (P = .024) of illness (mainly upper respiratory tract) than the placebo group. Plasma IL-2 receptor, IL-10, and IL-6 were not affected by either treatment. Plasma TGF-β1 increased in both groups, but the increase was smaller in the fish oil group, and at the end of supplementation TGF-β1 concentration was lower in the fish oil group (P < .001).
Conclusions
Very long–chain n-3 PUFAs reduce illness, mainly infections, in healthy Thai schoolchildren.
aFaculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakornpathom, Thailand
bFaculty of Engineering and Agro Industry, Silpakorn University, Nakornpathom, Thailand
cInstitute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
Reprint requests: Alice Thienprasert, PhD, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakornpathom, 73000 Thailand
Supported by a grant (R01TW006201) from the National Institutes of Health, USA to AT under the GRIP program. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
ABSTRACT