Acute pancreatitis: omega-3 supplements help fight it

Omega 3s contained in fatty fish influence the mechanisms involved in the development of acute pancreatitis. This is the conclusion of a group of researchers from the department of physiology at the University of Granada (Spain), according to which these fatty acids could prevent or mitigate this disease. Part of the findings that led to this discovery were published in the journal Proceedings of the Nutrition Society.

Mediterranean diet and cellular damage

Acute pancreatitis is a disease of inflammatory and oxidative origin. The aim of the Spanish researchers was to understand whether variations in the type of fats introduced in the diet could modify the ability of cells to respond to the oxidative and inflammatory damage associated with this disease. Indeed, María Belén López Millán, author of the study, pointed out that inflammatory and oxidative phenomena increasingly underlie chronic diseases. The scientists focused in particular on certain ingredients of the Mediterranean diet: virgin olive oil and fish. In the case of olive oil, the active ingredients of interest wereoleic acid andhydroxytyrosol, molecules with strong antioxidant action. In contrast, the components of fish that caught the authors' attention were Omega-3, fatty acids with recognized anti-inflammatory functions.

From mice to man

To test their hypotheses, the researchers developed an experimental model in which they evaluated how changes in cell membrane composition associated with ingested fats affect the response to damage caused by inflammation and oxidative stress. Experiments in mice involved treating the animals with the nutrients of interest and, following this pretreatment, inducing cellular damage. It was found that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds introduced through the diet can prevent or attenuate the presence of diseases associated with inflammatory and oxidative processes. Oleic acid, hydroxytyrosol, and Omega-3s could therefore be considered "functional ingredients" that can keep disease under control.

Confirmation for the Mediterranean diet

According to the authors, this is the first study to analyze how Omega-3s and antioxidants influence cellular mechanisms that respond tolocal inflammation in the pancreas. In addition to reinforcing the importance played by Omega-3s in maintaining the body in a state of good health, the results obtained in this research confirm the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which is included byUNESCO in the list of intangible World Heritage Sites.  

Source:

1. C. Santana, M. B. López-Millán, M. A. Martínez-Burgos, M. Mañas, E. Martínez-Victoria and M. D. Yago (2010). Influence of membrane fatty acid composition on cell viability and lipid peroxidation in a cell model (AR42J) of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 69 , E313