Influence of a Single Parenteral Application of a 10% Fish Oil Emulsion on Plasma Fatty Acid Pattern and the Function of Thrombocytes in Young Adult Men

Abstract

50 ml of a 10% fish oil emulsion (41% ω-3 fatty acids of total fatty acids) were infused for 1 h into the arm vein of young, healthy, male volunteers. The fatty acid composition of the plasma, aggregation of the blood platelets as well as the thromboxane synthesis, were measured before the beginning of infusion, 20, 60, 120, 360 and 1,440 min after the start of the fat infusion. In the first 60 min, the fatty acid composition of the plasma changed in correspondence with the supplied fatty acid pattern. At the end of the investigation it was again within the normal range. As a result of fat application thromboxane synthesis was reduced and the aggregation of the platelets was inhibited but it was normalized by the 1,440-min value. Fish oil emulsions might be beneficial for parenterally fed patients with a high risk of thrombosis. Therefore the performance of further investigations using a varying dosage and multiple application can be recommended.