Chemically defined structured lipids with omega-3 fatty acids maintain splanchnic blood flow in a low-dose continuous endotoxin model.

Abstract

Background: Disturbances of microcirculation and accompanying alterations of oxygen supply are central pathophysiological events in trauma and sepsis. There is evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can modulate prostaglandin formation and thereby regional blood flow. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of chemically defined structured lipids (SL) with omega-3 fatty acids in position sn-2 (MFM) compared to SL with omega-6 fatty acids in position sn-2 (MLM) on cardiac output (CO) and splanchnic blood flow in a low-dose endotoxin (E, 1 mg.kgBW-1.day-1) rat model.

Materials and methods: 24 male Sprague Dawley rats, divided in 4 groups (n = 6; MLM, MLM+E, MFM, MFM+E) received for 48 h a total parenteral nutrition. CO and regional blood flow were measured with 85strontium-labelled microspheres (16.5 +/- 0.1 microns).

Results: There was a slight rise in CO in the E groups compared to the control groups. Application of E resulted in a marked decrease of intestinal perfusion in the MLM-fed animals, whereas the MFM-fed animals showed only a minimal reduction. This decrease of portal blood flow to the liver was accompanied by an elevation of arterial blood flow to the liver. This compensatory increase in arterial liver blood flow was more pronounced in the MFM-fed animals, resulting in a total liver blood flow which was not different from the control group.

Conclusions: The results of this study implicate that 48 h of intravenous feeding with chemically defined SL with an omega-3 fatty acid in position sn-2 can significantly influence splanchnic bed perfusion in a low-dose endotoxin rat model. The better splanchnic perfusion may be mediated by a shift in prostaglandin production.