Abstract
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the fifth-leading cause of death worldwide, is characterized by chronic inflammation. However, no available agent can effectively cure this inflammation. A dietary supplement containing ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we hypothesized that nutrition support with ω-3 PUFA-rich diets may be useful for treating COPD, and we compared the clinical features and inflammatory mediator levels between the COPD patients who received an ω-3 PUFA-rich supplement and those who received a nonrich supplement. Methods: Sixty-four COPD patients received 400 kcal per day of an ω-3 PUFA-rich supplement (ω-3 group) or an ω-3 PUFA-nonrich supplement (ω-6 group) for 2 years. We prospectively investigated the clinical features of these patients and measured the levels of inflammatory mediators. Results: In 6-minute walk testing, the dyspnea Borg scale and decrease of arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry significantly improved in the ω-3 group. Leukotriene B4 levels in serum and sputum and tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-8 levels in sputum decreased significantly in the ω-3 group, whereas there was no significant change in the ω-6 group. Two patients in theω -3 group and 3 patients in the ω-6 group had mild diarrhea, and 3 patients in the ω-3 group and 3 patients in the ω-6 group had nausea; however, their symptoms were controllable and they improved with treatment. With multiple regression analysis, it was proved that the ω-3 PUFA-rich diet significantly contributed to the change in cytokine levels in this study. Conclusion: We suggest nutrition support with anω -3 PUFA-rich diet as a safe and practical method for treating COPD.
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