Early evidence of efficacy for orally administered SPM-enriched marine lipid fraction on quality of life and pain in a sample of adults with chronic pain

Abstract

Background Marine lipids contain omega-3 fatty acids that can be metabolized into anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators—namely 17-HDHA and 18-HEPE—which can serve as modulators of the pain experience. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of 4 weeks of oral supplementation with a fractionated marine lipid concentration, standardized to 17-HDHA and 18-HEPE, on health-related quality of life and inflammation in adults with chronic pain. Methods This study was a prospective, non-randomized, open-label clinical trial. Forty-four adults with ≥ moderate pain intensity for at least 3 months were recruited. The primary outcome was change in health-related quality of life (QOL) using the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-43 Profile (PROMIS-43) and the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) QOL scale. Exploratory outcomes assessed safety and tolerability, changes in anxiety and depression, levels of pain intensity and interference, patient satisfaction, and impression of change. Changes in blood biomarkers of inflammation (hs-CRP and ESR) were also explored. Results Outcome measures were collected at Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4 (primary endpoint). At Week 4, PROMIS-43 QOL subdomains changed with significance from baseline (p < 0.05), with borderline changes in the ACPA Quality of Life scale (p < 0.052). Exploratory analyses revealed significant changes (p < 0.05) in all measures of pain intensity, pain interference, depression, and anxiety. There were no statistically significant changes in either hs-CRP or ESR, which stayed within normal limits. Conclusion We conclude that oral supplementation with a fractionated marine lipid concentration standardized to 17-HDHA and 18-HEPE may improve quality of life, reduce pain intensity and interference, and improve mood within 4 weeks in adults with chronic pain. The consistency and magnitude of these results support the need for placebo-controlled clinical trials of marine lipid concentrations standardized to 17-HDHA and 18-HEPE. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: Influence of an Omega-3 SPM Supplement on Quality of Life, NCT02683850. Registered 17 February 2016—retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02683850.

Topical Administration of a Marine Oil Rich in Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediators Accelerates Wound Healing in Diabetic db/db Mice through Angiogenesis and Macrophage Polarization

“…When administered orally to patients with PAD, LIPINOVA ® influenced circulating levels of SPMs and modulated the immune system to pro-resolutive phenotypes, promoting improvements in inflammation [ 39 , 40 ]. The same nutritional supplement was also used successfully to reduce chronic pain and improve quality of life in patients with chronic pain, depression, and anxiety ( , (accessed on 14 July 2022)); Influence of an Omega-3 SPM Supplement on Quality of Life (NCT02683850) [ 41 ].…”

Oxylipin profile in saliva from patients with cystic fibrosis reveals a balance between pro-resolving and pro-inflammatory molecules

“…Furthermore, it attenuates the effects of leukocytes stimulated by cytokines 32 that are significantly increased in saliva from CF patients 20 . Interestingly, HDHA was recently used in the therapy of chronic pain 33 .…”

Structured Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Improvement of Cognitive Function during Aging

“…Although limited literature relates the anti-inflammatory effect of SPMs with cognitive decline improvement [ 76 ], successful results have been observed with the use of supplements with SPMs and precursors of SPMs. It has been proved that supplementation with an oil enriched with SPMs and precursors, significantly increases SPM concentration in peripheral blood in humans [ 109 ], and larger intervention studies have been performed demonstrating that an orally administered SPM-enriched supplement improved the quality of life and reduced pain in a sample of adults with chronic pain [ 110 ].…”