Assessment of concentrations of multidirectional omega-3 fatty acids in inborn errors of immunity with predominantly antibody defects: a pilot study.

Abstract

Summary: Background.Omega-3 fatty acids are involved in many processes in the human body. Their beneficial effects were documented mainly in relation to cardiovascular and immune systems. Patients with immunodeficiencies with predominantly antibody defects due to their reduced immunoglobulin levels should have factors adversely affecting the course of the disease eliminated. Methods. Nineteen primary immunodeficient patients with predominant antibody defects (out of which fourteen with CVID) and eighteen immunocompetent participants had their blood tested in order to determine the concentration of EPA, DHA and omega-3 index values. The Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine statistical significance. Results. Immunodeficient participants, especially with CVID, overall tend to have a slightly lower mean concentration of omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and in particular EPA (CVID: 0.86% ± 0.28% vs 1.06% ± 0.31%, p = 0.095) as compared with the control group and the differences were most evident among patients aged 30-39 (0.67 ± 0.16% vs 1.12 ± 0.12%, p = 0.025). 63% of patients with immunodeficiency had an omega-3 index value between 4-8, compared to 39% in the control group. 37% of participants with predominantly antibody defects had an omega-3 index value > 8% (29% of all CVID group) compared with 61% of the control group. None of the participants achieved a result of 4% or lower. People without immunodeficiency consumed products rich in omega-3 acids more often. Conclusions. These findings suggest that primary immunodeficient patients with predominantly antibody defects tend to have lower omega-3 index values, albeit not significantly and seem to have higher cardiovascular risk than the control group. Research has also shown that education is needed regarding the effects and necessity of consuming products rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially in patients with immunodeficiency.