SPM Regulation by Fish Oil Supplements in Healthy Volunteers

Not Applicable

Completed

Conditions: Healthy Volunteers

Registration Number: NCT03347006

Lead Sponsor: Queen Mary University of London

Brief Summary: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine whether fish oil supplementation regulates peripheral levels of specialized pro-resolving mediators and white blood cell responses in healthy volunteers

Detailed Description: Rationale for the study The relationship between omega-3 essential fatty acid supplementation, and specifically fish oil supplementation, and SPM production in humans is very poorly understood. Given that the body produces SPM from omega-3 essential fatty acids to regulate inflammation and also to repair damaged tissues, it is critical to gain further insights on how the body utilizes dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils for SPM formation. With the availability of a mass spectrometry based platform developed by the investigators the scientific community is now in a unique position to better understand the biology of fish oil supplementation by monitoring the levels of SPM in plasma. This understanding may in turn shed light into the beneficial actions of omega-3 supplementation. It may also provide new leads for the control of excessive inflammation, as found in chronic inflammatory disorders, via dietary supplementation to exploit the body's own defense systems.

Rationale for choice of doses Given that in a study using a different fish oil source and formulation the investigators found that 1 g of essential fatty acids gave a mild but significant increase in plasma SPM levels (25) the investigators chose the lowest dose in the study to be of 1.5g. with the other two doses being within the European Food Safety Authority's Tolerable Upper Intake Level for supplements containing both EPA and DHA. Given that this limit is of 5 g and previous study with both healthy volunteers and patients demonstrated that doses up to 4 g are well tolerated (22-24), the investigators chose the remaining 2 doses to be 3.0 g and 4.5 g. In addition, this supplement was awarded a Generally Recognized as Safe Status (see appendix 1) in the for a dose of up to 5 g. Similar doses of the emulsion from of the fish oil supplement are also being used in an ongoing clinical study in the USA (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02719665) measuring different outcomes to those being investigated in the present study.

Aim of research The aim of this research is to investigate whether fish oil supplementation increases the peripheral blood levels of SPM and whether fish oil supplementation also regulates peripheral white blood cell responses (including neutrophils, monocytes and platelets) to inflammatory stimuli.

Original hypothesis Given that fish oils are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids that are precursors in the biosynthesis of SPM the hypothesis underlying the present study is: Fish oil supplementation increase peripheral blood levels of SPM precursors that may be converted to bioactive mediators which in turn will regulate white blood cell responses.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 22

Inclusion Criteria

For participants to be included in the study they will need to meet the following criteria:
1. Able to provide informed consent
2. Men and women between the age of 18 and 45
3. Declare not to be taking aspirin, other NSAIDS, other form of medication or omega-3 fatty acid supplements for more than 2 weeks prior to screening and the duration of the participation.
4. Willingness to abstain from eating fish for 2 days before each study visit
5. Willingness to abstain from alcohol consumption for at least 24h prior to each study visit
6. Willingness to abstain from caffeine as directed before and during study

Exclusion Criteria

1. History of, chronic disorders, cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart disease, stroke), cancer, or diabetes or significant genetically inherited conditions.
2. Pregnancy or breast-feeding. 3) Hypothyroidism in the opinion of the investigator. 4) Liver disease in the opinion of the investigator. 5) Any abnormality or pre-existing disease which, in the opinion of the investigator, might either expose the subject to risk, or influence the validity of the results.
3. Women of childbearing potential not taking adequate methods of contraception 7) Inability to read and write in English 8) Participation in a clinical study of a new chemical entity, biological product or a prescription medicine, or loss of more than 400 mL blood, within the previous 3 months 9) Anyone who is currently smoking or used to smoke 10) Presence or history of drug or alcohol abuse or intake of more than the amount of alcohol in the current guidelines on alcohol consumption

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Increase in the Average Peripheral Blood SPM Levels	outcomes will be measured 24h post supplementation and compared with baseline values (0h)	The Primary endpoint of the study will be an increase in peripheral blood SPM levels that will be measured calculated by measuring pre-supplement SPM levels to values measured in plasma after supplementation.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percentage Change in Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels From Baseline After 24 Hours	Outcomes will be measured 24h post supplementation and compared with baseline values (at 0h)	Measure ability of peripheral blood neutrophils to uptake S. aureus following pre- and post- supplementation. Looking at relationship between amount of omega-3 fatty acids ingested, the increase in the blood levels of these molecules and white blood cell function.
Changes in the Expression of Peripheral Blood Neutrophil Activation Markers	outcomes measured 24h post supplementation and compared with baseline values (at 0h)	Changes in the expression of protein linked with neutrophil activation, determined by comparing expression levels of this protein in peripheral blood cells pre- and post supplementation.