Omega-3 Fatty Acids as an Adjunct Therapy in Sepsis: Insights and Implications: A Narrative Review

Sepsis is a severe condition that affects a vast number of people globally, irrespective of their underlying health status. Sepsis arises from a disproportionate immune response to infection, leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction. This dysfunction is assessed using scoring systems like the S...

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Main Authors: Swati, Madhvi Awasthi, Nameet Jerath
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
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Online Access:https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20850/73918_CE[Ra1]_F(SL)_PF1(AG_SS)_PFA(IS)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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author Swati
Madhvi Awasthi
Nameet Jerath
author_facet Swati
Madhvi Awasthi
Nameet Jerath
author_sort Swati
collection DOAJ
description Sepsis is a severe condition that affects a vast number of people globally, irrespective of their underlying health status. Sepsis arises from a disproportionate immune response to infection, leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction. This dysfunction is assessed using scoring systems like the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), where a score increase of two points or more signifies a high mortality risk in infected patients. Despite advances in critical care, mortality rates remain high, emphasising the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Inflammation, marked by mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and cytokine release, is central to sepsis, causing cellular damage and organ failure. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (FAs), Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) essential for human health, have emerged as potential candidates due to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Omega-3 FAs can positively influence SOFA scores. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of omega-3 FAs in sepsis are complex and multifaceted. These FAs may exert their beneficial effects by modulating the inflammatory response, attenuating oxidative stress, improving endothelial function. Neurological outcomes, such as improved Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, have also been reported. Importantly, it is associated with shorter hospital stays and reduced time on Mechanical Ventilation (MV). In conclusion, omega-3 FAs appear to be promising adjunct therapy for sepsis. While further research is needed to fully elucidate their mechanisms of action and to establish optimal dosing strategies, the available evidence suggests that these FAs may improve outcomes in patients with sepsis.
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spelling doaj-art-12e3a50fc21f4816abaad90c609ec5d82025-08-20T03:08:37ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2025-04-01194010710.7860/JCDR/2025/73918.20850Omega-3 Fatty Acids as an Adjunct Therapy in Sepsis: Insights and Implications: A Narrative ReviewSwati0Madhvi Awasthi1Nameet Jerath2PhD Scholar, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS), Faridabad, Haryana, India.Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS), Faridabad, Haryana, India.Senior Consultant and Paediatric Intensive Care In-charge, Department of Paediatric Critical Care and Pulmonology, Indraprastha Apollo, Delhi, India.Sepsis is a severe condition that affects a vast number of people globally, irrespective of their underlying health status. Sepsis arises from a disproportionate immune response to infection, leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction. This dysfunction is assessed using scoring systems like the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), where a score increase of two points or more signifies a high mortality risk in infected patients. Despite advances in critical care, mortality rates remain high, emphasising the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Inflammation, marked by mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and cytokine release, is central to sepsis, causing cellular damage and organ failure. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (FAs), Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) essential for human health, have emerged as potential candidates due to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Omega-3 FAs can positively influence SOFA scores. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of omega-3 FAs in sepsis are complex and multifaceted. These FAs may exert their beneficial effects by modulating the inflammatory response, attenuating oxidative stress, improving endothelial function. Neurological outcomes, such as improved Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, have also been reported. Importantly, it is associated with shorter hospital stays and reduced time on Mechanical Ventilation (MV). In conclusion, omega-3 FAs appear to be promising adjunct therapy for sepsis. While further research is needed to fully elucidate their mechanisms of action and to establish optimal dosing strategies, the available evidence suggests that these FAs may improve outcomes in patients with sepsis.https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20850/73918_CE[Ra1]_F(SL)_PF1(AG_SS)_PFA(IS)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdfc-reactive proteinimmune responseinflammationlength of stayorgan dysfunctiontherapeutic agent
spellingShingle Swati
Madhvi Awasthi
Nameet Jerath
Omega-3 Fatty Acids as an Adjunct Therapy in Sepsis: Insights and Implications: A Narrative Review
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
c-reactive protein
immune response
inflammation
length of stay
organ dysfunction
therapeutic agent
title Omega-3 Fatty Acids as an Adjunct Therapy in Sepsis: Insights and Implications: A Narrative Review
title_full Omega-3 Fatty Acids as an Adjunct Therapy in Sepsis: Insights and Implications: A Narrative Review
title_fullStr Omega-3 Fatty Acids as an Adjunct Therapy in Sepsis: Insights and Implications: A Narrative Review
title_full_unstemmed Omega-3 Fatty Acids as an Adjunct Therapy in Sepsis: Insights and Implications: A Narrative Review
title_short Omega-3 Fatty Acids as an Adjunct Therapy in Sepsis: Insights and Implications: A Narrative Review
title_sort omega 3 fatty acids as an adjunct therapy in sepsis insights and implications a narrative review
topic c-reactive protein
immune response
inflammation
length of stay
organ dysfunction
therapeutic agent
url https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20850/73918_CE[Ra1]_F(SL)_PF1(AG_SS)_PFA(IS)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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