Consuming omega-3 fatty acids may reduce pulmonary fibrosis progression

Key takeaways:

• Omega-3 fatty acid intake may improve lung function and extend survival in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.
• More research is needed to prove benefits of these types of acids in this patient population.

In patients with pulmonary fibrosis, consuming omega-3 fatty acids may improve diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide and lengthen survival, according to results published in CHEST.

“We found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood, which reflects several weeks of dietary intake, were linked to better lung function and longer survival,” John S. Kim, MD, pulmonary and critical care expert at University of Virginia Health and the University of Virginia School of Medicine, said in a press release.

In this study, Kim and colleagues assessed patients with pulmonary fibrosis from three different cohorts — Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) Registry (n = 150), University of Virginia (n = 58) and University of Chicago (n = 101) — to see if their plasma omega-3 fatty acid levels are related to disease progression (changes in FVC and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide [DLCO]), as well as transplant-free survival.

Researchers specifically looked at N-3 index plasma levels, which comprise docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, because increased levels of these acids have been shown to be linked to “lower risk of other chronic diseases and less severity,” according to the study.

When observing the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and disease progression over 12 months, researchers used a linear-mixed effects model, whereas the link between omega-3 fatty acids and transplant-free survival was evaluated through Cox proportional hazards models.

Of the total cohort (n = 309; 74% men), the most common type of interstitial lung disease was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (88%).

Patients from the University of Virginia cohort had the highest N-3 index level of the three cohorts at 10.23 µg/mL, followed by the PFF Registry (9.5 µg/mL) and the University of Chicago (7.55 µg/mL).

Researchers did not find a significant link between omega-3 fatty acid levels and changes in FVC; however, they did observe a 1.43 mL/minute/mm Hg (95% CI, 0.46-2.41) change in DLCO per 12 months when the N-3 index plasma level (log-transformed) went up by a unit.

Further, transplant-free survival was extended in this patient population with elevated N-3 index plasma levels (HR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.83).

Researchers continued to find the same results after factoring in cardiac history, smoking and antifibrotic usage.

An additional analysis was conducted in the University of Chicago cohort, and in this evaluation, patients were divided by telomere length.

Among patients with longer telomere length, FVC declined over 12 months if they had elevated levels of N-3 index and docosahexaenoic acid.

Within the shorter telomere length group, researchers found a link between heightened eicosapentaenoic acid levels and extended transplant-free survival (P = .02).

“We need further research to determine if there are specific omega-3 fatty acids that may be beneficial and, if so, what are their underlying mechanisms,” Kim said in the release. “Similar to other chronic diseases, we hope to determine whether nutrition-related interventions can have a positive impact on pulmonary fibrosis.”

Reference:

• Healthy omega-3 fats may slow deadly pulmonary fibrosis, research suggests. https://newsroom.uvahealth.com/2024/01/03/healthy-omega-3-fats-may-slow-deadly-pulmonary-fibrosis-research-suggests/. Published Jan. 3, 2024. Accessed Jan. 3, 2024.