Enteral omega-3 fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid, and antioxidant supplementation in acute lung injury (OMEGA randomized trial)

Rice TW, Wheeler AP, Thompson BT, deBoisblanc BP, Steingrub J

Published in JAMA

Methodology

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial in 272 mechanically ventilated adults with acute lung injury at 44 US hospitals; twice-daily enteral n-3 fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid and antioxidant supplement versus isocaloric control.

Key Findings

Despite an 8-fold increase in plasma eicosapentaenoic acid, the supplement group had fewer ventilator-free days (14.0 vs 17.2; P = .02). The trial was stopped early for futility.

Conclusions

Enteral supplementation of n-3 fatty acids and gamma-linolenic acid did not improve, and may have worsened, outcomes in acute lung injury.

Limitations

Stopped early for futility; bolus rather than continuous delivery; combination supplement so the GLA-specific contribution cannot be isolated; critically ill population not generalisable to healthy supplement users.