Cholestasis Prevention: Efficacy of IV Fish Oil

Summary

Parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions are life saving in patients with surgical gastrointestinal diseases. However, the use of PN in pediatric populations, especially premature infants, is frequently associated with liver injury that may ultimately result in hepatic failure. In studies conducted in a murine model, we observed that intravenous fat emulsions (IFE) comprised of omega-3 fatty acids were able to prevent the development of cholestasis, a common precursor of PN-associated liver disease, as well as reverse preexisting PNALD through a combination of factors, including improved triglyceride clearance coupled with anti-inflammatory properties. In a case series treating patients with hepatic cholestasis, serum bilirubin levels decreased markedly after the parenteral administration of an omega-3 fatty acid based fat emulsion (Omegaven®). Patients tolerated this therapy and no adverse reactions attributed to its use were observed. Based on results of these previous studies, we propose to conduct a randomized trial aiming to gain preliminary evidence of efficacy of an omega-3 fatty acid based IFE in preventing PNALD in children with intestinal failure

Timeline

Start

2007-07

Primary completion

2011-12

Completion

2011-12

Publications

• Results Nehra D, Fallon EM, Potemkin AK, Voss SD, Mitchell PD, Valim C, Belfort MB, Bellinger DC, Duggan C, Gura KM, Puder M. A comparison of 2 intravenous lipid emulsions: interim analysis of a randomized controlled trial. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2014 Aug;38(6):693-701. doi: 10.1177/0148607113492549. Epub 2013 Jun 14.

Drugs

Indications