Oral administration of n-3 fatty acids positively affect the mucosal lesions after experimental ischemic enteritis in the rat.

AIM The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of oral administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in experimental ischemic enteritis in rats. METHODS Forty Wistar rats were submitted to control narrowing of the superior mesenteric artery and were divided in two groups: N3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which received a high-molecular polymer solution of artificial total enteral nutrition enriched with n-3 fatty acids and CONTROL which received a high-molecular polymer solution of artificial total enteral nutrition. RESULTS Reduction of the animals' body weight was observed in both groups, but there was no difference between the two groups. Regarding the level of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Ischemic lesions to the small bowel mucosa were observed in both groups. A statistically significant difference in the extent of intestinal lesions was observed between the two groups with the animals that received enteral nutrition enriched with n-3 fatty acid developing fewer lesions. CONCLUSION Enteral nutrition enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces the mucosal lesions caused by mesenteric ischemia compared to standard enteral nutrition, by modifying the local, but not the systemic, immune, and inflammatory response.