Clinical Research
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 7, 2005; 11(45): 7118-7121
Published online Dec 7, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i45.7118
Usefulness of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation in addition to mesalazine in maintaining remission in pediatric Crohn's disease: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study
C Romano, S Cucchiara, A Barabino, V Annese, C Sferlazzas, SIGENP Italian Study Group of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
C Romano, Pediatric Department, University of Messina, Italy
S Cucchiara, University “La Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
A Barabino, IRCCS G. Gaslini, Genova, Italy
V Annese, IRCCS, S. Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
C Sferlazzas, University of Messina, Italy
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Claudio Romano, MD, Pediatric Department, University of Messina, Italy. romanoc@unime.it
Telephone: +39-0902212918 Fax: +39-0902213788
Received: February 15, 2005
Revised: April 1, 2005
Accepted: April 2, 2005
Published online: December 7, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To assess the value of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids (FAs) supplementation in addition to amino-salicylic-acid (5-ASA) in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (20 males and 18 females, mean age 10.13 years, range 5-16 years) with CD in remission were randomized into two groups and treated for 12 mo. Group I (18 patients) received 5-ASA (50 mg/kg/d)+ω-3 FAs as triglycerides in gastro-resistant capsules, 3 g/d (eicosapentanoic acid, EPA, 400 mg/g, docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, 200 mg/g). Group II (20 patients) received 5-ASA (50 mg/kg/d)+olive oil placebo capsules. Patients were evaluated for fatty acid incorporation in red blood cell membranes by gas chromatography at baseline 6 and 12 mo after the treatment.

RESULTS: The number of patients who relapsed at 1 year was significantly lower in group I than in group II (P<0.001). Patients in group I had a significant increase in the incorporation of EPA and DHA (P<0.001) and a decrease in the presence of arachidonic acids.

CONCLUSION: Enteric-coated ω-3 FAs in addition to treatment with 5-ASA are effective in maintaining remission of pediatric CD.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease, ω-3 fatty acids, Remission maintenance, Treatment