Preoperative short-term parenteral administration of polyunsaturated fatty acids ameliorates intestinal inflammation and postoperative ileus in rodents

Purpose Abdominal surgery results in an inflammation of the intestinal muscularis externa (ME), subsequently leading to postoperative ileus (POI). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are known to modulate inflammation. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of preoperative parenteral administration of marine (n-3) or soybean (n-6) PUFA lipid emulsions (PUFA-LE) on POI and tissue fatty acid profiles. Methods Rodents underwent intestinal manipulation (IM) after 5 days of parenteral administration of 10-mL/kg body weight saline, (n-3), or (n-6) PUFA-LE. Sham animals received saline treatment without IM. In rats, postoperative inflammation was quantified by ME neutrophil levels and NO production in organ culture, and ME function was determined by an in vitro contractility measurement. Additionally, in vivo gastrointestinal transit (GIT) was analyzed in mice. Lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-6 expression of rat bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells and ME was analyzed. Fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography in rat blood, bone marrow cells, and ME. Results The (n-3) PUFA-LE reduced neutrophil levels and NO production after IM and improved in vitro jejunal contractility and GIT time. The (n-6) PUFA-LE significantly reduced postoperative inflammation and tended to improve intestinal motility (P < 0.06). Interestingly, (n-6) PUFA-LE significantly reduced the levels of arachidonic acid in ME (-63%), while (n-3) PUFA-LE reduced arachidonic acid (-20%) and additionally raised EPA (+550%). Conclusion Short-term preoperative parenteral administration of (n-3) or (n-6) PUFA-LE significantly alters tissue-specific fatty acid profiles. Preoperative parenteral PUFA-LE supplementation, preferably by marine (n-3) PUFA, ameliorates postoperative intestinal inflammation and dysmotility and could be a promising therapeutic option in POI prophylaxis.