Does supplementation of formula with evening primrose and fish oils augment long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status of low birthweight infants to that of breast-fed counterparts?

Abstract We investigated whether formulae with evening primrose and fish oils raise long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in plasma cholesterol esters (CE), erythrocytes (RBC) and platelets (PLT) to levels encountered in breast-fed infants. Low birthweight infants (≧ 2500 g) received LCP1 formula ( n =16; 0.31% 18:3 ω6, 0.17% 20:5 ω3 and 0.20% 22:6 ω3) or LCP2 formula ( n =13; 0.32% 18:3 ω6, 0.34% 20:5 ω3 and 0.43% 22:6 ω3). Fatty acids were measured days 10±2, 20±3 and 42±3. The formulae raised CE, RBC and PLT 20:5 ω3 and 22:6 ω3 dose-dependently ( P ⪢0.01), to exceed levels of breast-fed babies ( n =18) day 42 ( P ⪢0.05). CE, RBC and PLT 20:3 ω6 was comparable with, and CE, RBC, PLT 20:4 ω6 were below, that of breast-fed infants ( P ⪢0.05). Dietary 20:5 ω3 and 22:6 ω3 related with CE, RBC and PLT 20:5 ω3 and 22:6 ω3 ( n =47; P ≧ 0.01). Dietary 20:5 ω3 and LCPUFA ω3 related inversely with CE, RBC and PLT 20:4 ω6 and LCPUFA ω6 ( P ≧ 0.002). LCP1 and LCP2 fed infants had similar LCPUFA ω6 status day 42. Added 18:3 ω6 does not correct 20:4 ω6 to that of breast-fed infants, but improves 20:3 ω6 status. Fish oil dose-dependently raises 20:5 ω3 and 22:6 ω3, but decreases 20:4 ω6 and other LCPUFA ω6.