Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants Receiving a Multicomponent vs. a Soybean-Based Lipid Emulsion: 24 Month Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Few studies in the literature have analyzed the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of the administration of a multicomponent versus a soybean-based lipid emulsion (LE) in preterm infants receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). A recent randomized controlled trial conducted in our unit provided evidence of better growth in head circumference during the hospital stay in those who received a multicomponent LE. METHODS: This is a 24 month follow-up study of preterm infants, previously enrolled in a randomized trial, who received a multicomponent LE (SMOFlipid®) or a standard soybean-based one (Intralipid®). We evaluated neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months of corrected age (CA) in the two groups. RESULTS: Ninety-three children were followed up to the age of 24 months CA. Due to the peculiar time frame of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated only in 77 children: 37 in the SMOFlipid® group and 40 in the Intralipid® group. No differences in major disability rates or in Griffith's evaluation were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our population study, the administration of a multicomponent LE containing fish oil, compared to a soybean-based LE, had no significant effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants at 24 months CA.

Specialized pro-resolving mediators in respiratory diseases.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Persistent unresolved inflammation results in a number of pathologic respiratory diseases including asthma, cystic fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated ARDS. Inflammation resolution is an active series of biologic processes orchestrated by a family of bioactive specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) derived from essential omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). In this review, we highlight recent findings on dysregulated inflammation resolution in common respiratory diseases and recent literature on SPM generation with PUFA dietary supplementation with relevance to diseases of respiratory inflammation. RECENT FINDINGS: Human studies and preclinical models of diseases of lung inflammation have revealed disequilibrium in the levels of pro-inflammatory versus pro-resolving mediators. Recent studies identified actions for SPMs on regulating prophlogistic host responses and stimulating inflammation resolution pathways in inflammatory respiratory diseases. SUMMARY: Dietary marine oils are enriched in PUFAs and contain parent omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and precursors for conversion to SPMs. Nutritional supplementation with fish oils can boost SPM levels and offer a therapeutic approach targeting inflammation resolution pathways for diseases of lung inflammation.

Response to Bistrian BR. Parenteral Fish-Oil Emulsions in Critically Ill COVID-19 Emulsions.

In this letter we discuss the proposition of Bristian BR (2020) to use the intravenous administration of fish-oil emulsions in critically ill patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We consider that immune-modulatory properties of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, rapidly provided in high amounts by fish-oil emulsions, may be important to change the course of COVID-19's death pathway. Prescriptions should be based on body weight (eg, 0.2-g pure fish-oil lipid emulsion/kg body weight/d) and also should consider combining the parenteral administration of fish-oil emulsions with low oral aspirin intake to trigger resolvin synthesis from EPA and DHA.

Parenteral fish oil: An adjuvant pharmacotherapy for coronavirus disease 2019?

The new coronavirus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), surprisingly, does not affect only the lungs. The severe response to SARS-CoV-2 appears to include a "cytokine storm," which indicates a state of hyperinflammation and subsequent dysfunction of multiple organs and tissues in the most severe cases. This could be the reason why populations at the highest risk for death from the SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced disease (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) are those suffering from chronic low-grade inflammation, but prone to hyperinflammation. This includes individuals of advanced age and those with obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Inflammation resolution is strongly dependent on lipid mediators, the specialized pro-resolution mediators (SPMs). ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) are precursors of very potent SPMs, including resolvins, protectins, and maresins. Additionally, they are associated with a less aggressive inflammatory initiation, after competing with ω-6 fatty acids for eicosanoid synthesis. Therefore, it makes sense to consider the use of ω-3 PUFAs for clinical management of COVID-19 patients. ω-3 PUFAs may be given by oral, enteral, or parenteral routes; however, the parenteral route favors faster incorporation into plasma phospholipids, blood cells, and tissues. Here, we discuss these aspects to propose the parenteral infusion of ω-3 PUFAs as adjuvant immunopharmacotherapy for hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Pharmacological (or Synthetic) and Nutritional Agonists of PPAR-γ as Candidates for Cytokine Storm Modulation in COVID-19 Disease.

The cytokine storm is an abnormal production of inflammatory cytokines, due to the over-activation of the innate immune response. This mechanism has been recognized as a critical mediator of influenza-induced lung disease, and it could be pivotal for COVID-19 infections. Thus, an immunomodulatory approach targeting the over-production of cytokines could be proposed for viral aggressive pulmonary disease treatment. In this regard, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, a member of the PPAR transcription factor family, could represent a potential target. Beside the well-known regulatory role on lipid and glucose metabolism, PPAR-γ also represses the inflammatory process. Similarly, the PPAR-γ agonist thiazolidinediones (TZDs), like pioglitazone, are anti-inflammatory drugs with ameliorating effects on severe viral pneumonia. In addition to the pharmacological agonists, also nutritional ligands of PPAR-γ, like curcuma, lemongrass, and pomegranate, possess anti-inflammatory properties through PPAR-γ activation. Here, we review the main synthetic and nutritional PPAR-γ ligands, proposing a dual approach based on the strengthening of the immune system using pharmacological and dietary strategies as an attempt to prevent/treat cytokine storm in the case of coronavirus infection.