Abstract
BACKGROUND An adequate erythrocyte function is vital for tissue oxygenation and wound healing. The erythrocyte membrane phospholipid composition plays an important role in erythrocyte function and administration of omega-3 fatty acids may provide a means to improve it. OBJECTIVE To investigate peri-operative erythrocyte function and effects of oral omega-3 fatty acids in morbidly obese women undergoing gastric bypass surgeryMETHODSFifty-six morbidly obese women undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) surgery were randomized between a low calorie diet (LCD) during 2 weeks or oral omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and a normal diet during 4 weeks. Peri-operative blood samples were analyzed with the Lorrca MaxSIS Ektacytometer for erythrocyte deformability and aggregability. RESULTS There were no significant differences in erythrocyte function between the groups at any time point. Only erythrocyte aggregability parameters were affected by surgery. At six month follow-up, aggregation index (AI) and cholesterol, glucose and insulin were significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS In this study, oral Omega-3 supplementation did not affect erythrocyte function compared to a LCD. Six months after surgery a significant improvement in AI and metabolic parameters was observed in both groups, contributing to a reduction in the risk at thromboembolic and cardiovascular complications.
