A randomized double blind comparison of short-term duodenally administrated whale and seal blubber oils in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and joint pain

Effectiveness of N-3 fatty acids supplementation on spondyloarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of n-3 fatty acids (FA) supplementation on spondyloarthritis (SpA) disease activity, inflammatory markers, and imaging.

METHODS

The study protocol was developed and registered online in advance. The PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) electronic databases were systematically searched for RCTs up to April 2024. Two independent reviewers screened, assessed for eligibility, and extracted data from the eligible RCTs. The revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the quality of trials. The random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled estimates.

RESULTS

We included four RCTs, involving 245 patients with SpA. Supplementation with n-3 FA did not improve physician-reported outcomes [number of tender joints (four trials, standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.22; 95 % confidence interval (CI): -0.74 to 0.29; I2 = 61 %), number of swollen joints (two trials, SMD: -0.13; 95 % CI: -0.42 to 0.15; I2 = 0 %)], and patient-reported outcomes [pain (three trials, SMD: -0.16; 95 % CI: -1.03 to 0.70; I2 = 74 %), Health Assessment Questionnaire (three trials, SMD: -0.04; 95 % CI: -0.78 to 0.70; I2 = 71 %). The other nine pre-specified outcomes were not analyzed due to lack of information from the original RCTs which were evaluated as «some concerns» or «high risk» of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present systematic review and meta-analysis including placebo-controlled RCTs, n-3 FA supplementation did not show improvement in the reported outcomes. Future RCTs should be conducted with homogenous intervention, placebo, and outcomes to re-examine possible beneficial effects.

Targeting the Gut Microbiome for Inflammation and Pain Management in Orthopedic Conditions

The human gut microbiome can be altered with probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and anti-inflammatory foods and spices as part of an evidence-based strategy that targets inflammation and pain in common orthopedic conditions. Implementing these strategies avoids adverse effects associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and minimizes the potential for opioid use. This review focuses exclusively on human trials studying the effects of gut microbiome alterations to address pain and inflammatory markers in common orthopedic conditions: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fractures/osteoporosis, and bone pain associated with chemotherapy. Individualized supplementation strategies can be further explored with the information in this review. [Orthopedics. 2022;45(5):e226-e234.].

Protocol for the Cognitive Interventions and Nutritional Supplements (CINS) trial: a randomized controlled multicenter trial of a brief intervention (BI) versus a BI plus cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) versus nutritional supplements for patients with long-lasting muscle and back pain

Abstract

Trial Registration

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, with registration number NCT00463970.

Duodenal administered seal oil for patients with subjective food hypersensitivity: an explorative open pilot study

Short-term duodenal administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich seal oil may improve gastrointestinal complaints in patients with subjective food hypersensitivity, as well as joint pain in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the present explorative pilot study was to investigate whether 10-day open treatment with seal oil, 10 mL self-administrated via a nasoduodenal tube 3 times daily, could also benefit nongastrointestinal complaints and quality of life (QoL) in patients with subjective food hypersensitivity. Twenty-six patients with subjective food hypersensitivity, of whom 25 had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), were included in the present study. Before and after treatment and 1 month posttreatment, patients filled in the Ulcer Esophagitis Subjective Symptoms Scale (UESS) and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) for gastrointestinal symptoms and subjective health complaints (SHC) inventory for nongastrointestinal symptoms in addition to short form of the Nepean dyspepsia index (SF-NDI) for evaluation of QoL. Compared with baseline, gastrointestinal, as well as nongastrointestinal, complaints and QoL improved significantly, both at end of treatment and 1 month posttreatment. The consistent improvements following seal oil administration warrant further placebo-controlled trials for confirmation of effect.

Combining nutrition, food science and engineering in developing solutions to Inflammatory bowel diseases--omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as an example

The Inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are debilitating conditions, characterised by lifelong sensitivity to certain foods, and often a need for surgery and life-long medication. The anti-inflammatory effects of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated acids justify their inclusion in enteral nutrition formulas that have been associated with disease remission. However, there have been variable data in clinical trials to test supplementary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in inducing or maintaining remission in these diseases. Although variability in trial design has been suggested as a major factor, we suggest that variability in processing and presentation of the products may be equally or more important. The nature of the source, and rapidity of getting the fish or other food source to processing or to market, will affect the percentage of the various fatty acids, possible presence of heavy metal contaminants and oxidation status of the various fatty acids. For dietary supplements or fortified foods, whether the product is encapsulated or not, whether storage is under nitrogen or not, and length of time between harvest, processing and marketing will again profoundly affect the properties of the final product. Clinical trials to test efficacy of these products in IBD to date have utilised the relevant skills of pharmacology and gastroenterology. We suggest that knowledge from food science, nutrition and engineering will be essential to establish the true role of this important group of compounds in these diseases.