Effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on systemic inflammatory response and gut barrier in rats with traumatic brain injury and hemorrhagic shock

Objective To investigate the effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) on systemic inflammatory response and intestinal mucosa barrier in rats with traumatic brain injury and hemorrhagic shock (TBIS).Methods A total of 36 male Wistar rats were equally randomized into 3 groups:sham operation group,TBIS model group,and ω-3 PUFA pretreatment group.The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),8-iso-prostaglandin F2 a (8-iso-PGF2 a),interleukin (IL)-1 β,and IL-10 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).HE staining was performed for morphological assessment of the intestinal tissue and evaluation of the intestinal mucosa damage index (IMDI).The marked bacilli of the mesenteric lymph nodes,lung,liver,spleen,and kidney tissue were counted under a fluorescent microscope.Results Compared with those in the sham group [ (38.15 ± 6.37) ng/ml,(84.91 ± 17.22) pg/ml,(2.52 ± 0.83 ) μg/L,(2.86 ± 0.82) μg/L,0.36 ±0.14,and 8.33％ ],the serum levels of TNF-α [ (328.11 ±20.09) and (244.37 ±21.82) ng/rrl],8-iso-PGF2a [ (263.47±55.19) and (176.35±41.63) pg/ml],IL-1β [ (27.06±2.61) and (18.91 ±1.78) μg/L],IL-10 [ (7.63 ± 1.29) and (9.52 ± 4.66) μg/L],the IMDI (4.18 ±0.39 and 3.31 ±0.40),and the positive rates of bacterial translocation (56.67％ and 35.00％ ) were significantly higher in both the TBIS model group and ω-3 PUFA group ( all P ＜ 0.01 ).Compared with TBIS model group,the levels of TNF-α,8-iso-PGF2 a,and IL-1 β,the IMDI,and the positive rate of bacterial translocation were significantly lower ( all P ＜ 0.05 ) and the levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the ω-3 PUFA group (P ＜0.01 ).Conclusion The supplementation of ω-3 PUFA can remarkably inhibit the systemic inflammatory response and protect the integrity of intestinal mucosa in rat with TBIS. Key words: Traumatic brain injury;  Hemorrhagic shock;  ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid;  Intestinal mucosa;  Systemic inflammatory response