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CompletedNCT00351533Updated Oct 3, 2011Results posted

A Phase II Randomized Trial of Fish Oil in Patients With Acute Lung Injury (ALI)

A Phase 2 interventional study of Fish oil (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexanoic acid) in Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult, Acute Lung Injury and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, sponsored by University of Washington. Completed at 5 sites in 2 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2011-10-03.

Sponsored by University of Washington · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
90
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether fish oil (containing omega-3 fatty acids) given enterally is safe and effective in reducing lung and systemic inflammation seen in acute lung injury.

Read the detailed description

Acute lung injury (ALI) is common among critically ill patients and is associated with a high case fatality. Only one intervention has been shown to improve survival in a large clinical trial, and new therapies targeting the inflammatory response are needed. Nutrient interventions may provide benefit; specifically there is plausible biologic rationale for administering n-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) found in fish oil to patients with ALI, as n-3 FAs decrease formation of eicosanoid inflammatory mediators. However, although promising results have emerged from prior studies, fish oils have only been tested in ALI patients in a commercial enteral formula containing additional nutrients, and the control group received a high-fat enteral formula that may have been proinflammatory. Therefore, no conclusion can be drawn about the independent effect of fish oils. Furthermore, the inclusion of key pharmaconutrients in feeding formulas, instead of delivering them separately as pharmaceuticals, limits exposure to the agent, as intensive care unit (ICU) patients commonly receive less than 60% of prescribed caloric needs. Finally, specialized feeding formulas are very expensive, and it may be substantially cheaper to administer pharmaconutrients separately. We believe it is time to begin to approach nutrient trials in critically ill patients differently -- to move away from including them in feeding formulas and begin delivering them like pharmaceuticals. With appropriate scientific investigation and the use of non-nutrient placebos, this novel and innovative approach is a new paradigm of investigating nutrient delivery to critically ill patients.

This study is a phase II randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of enteral eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA), both n-3 FAs found in fish oil, versus placebo on the pulmonary and systemic environments, and on clinical outcomes, in patients with ALI. We will investigate the effect of fish oil administration on several biological markers of injury and inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum, on pulmonary physiologic outcomes, and on clinical outcomes.

Comparison(s): Mechanically ventilated patients with acute lung injury randomized to receive enteral fish oil versus compared to mechanically ventilated patients with acute lung injury randomized to receive placebo.

02

Conditions studied

  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult
  • Acute Lung Injury
  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Keywords

  • Respiratory distress syndrome, adult
  • Acute lung injury
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • ARDS, human
  • Fish oils
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid
03

In context

Respiratory Distress Syndrome

1,619 studies on the registry are indexed under Respiratory Distress Syndrome; 319 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 90 is above the median of 60 across 973 interventional studies indexed under Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Browse Respiratory Distress Syndrome studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Washington is the lead sponsor of 1,431 studies on the registry; 226 are open to participants now.

Of its 158 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 136 (86%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Requiring positive-pressure mechanical ventilation
  • ALI criteria: PaO2/FiO2 \<300, bilateral infiltrates on chest radiograph, no left atrial hypertension
  • Age > 17 years

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Expected ICU length of stay \<48 hours
  • Unable to undergo bronchoalveolar lavage at enrollment
  • Unable to obtain enteral access
  • Post-cardiac arrest with suspected significant anoxic brain injury
  • Expected survival \< 28 days
  • Pregnant
  • Platelet count \< 30,000, active bleeding, or international normalized ratio (INR)>3.0
  • History of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation
  • Receiving recombinant human activated protein C (rh-APC) for sepsis
  • Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) with CD4 count \< 200
  • Metastatic cancer
  • History of bone marrow, lung, liver, cardiac, kidney, or pancreas transplant
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
90 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    1

    Enteral fish oil

    Drug: Fish oil (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexanoic acid)

  • Placebo comparator
    2

    Enteral saline

    Drug: Fish oil (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexanoic acid)

Interventions

  • DrugFish oil (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexanoic acid)

    Drug page: Fish Oils

    Liquid fish oil 7.5cc enterally every 6 hours

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) Interleukin (IL)-8

    30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 2nd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 5

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in BALF Leukotriene B4

    30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 2nd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 5

  2. Change in BALF Interleukin-6

    30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 2nd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 5

  3. Change in BALF Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1

    30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 2nd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 5

  4. Change in BALF Neutrophil Count

    30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 2nd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 5

  5. Static Lung Compliance

    30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group remained intubated on day 5 and had this outcome available.

    Time frame: Day 5

  6. Oxygenation

    PaO2/FiO2 is the ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen. 30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group remained intubated on day 5 and had this outcome available.

    Time frame: Day 5

  7. Change in Plasma Interleukin-8

    30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 2nd blood draw on day 5. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 5

  8. Change in Plasma Leukotriene B4

    30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 2nd blood draw on day 5. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 5

  9. Change in Plasma Interleukin-6

    30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 2nd blood draw on day 5. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 5

  10. Change in Plasma Surfactant Protein D

    30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 2nd blood draw on day 5. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 5

  11. Change in Plasma vonWillebrand Factor

    30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 2nd blood draw on day 5. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 5

  12. Worst Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS) During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment

    Full scale name is Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS), a scale measuring degree of organ dysfunction in critically ill patients. Minimum score is 0 and maximum score is 24, with 0 indicating no organ failure and 24 indicating severe failure of multiple organs.

    Time frame: Throughout hospital stay

  13. Ventilator-free Days During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment

    Ventilator-free days is a common outcome measure in critical care research. A ventilator-free day is a day that a participant is alive and not receiving mechanical ventilation during the first 28 days after s/he enrolled in the study.

    Time frame: 28 days

  14. ICU-free Days During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment

    ICU-free days is a common outcome measure in critical care research. An ICU-free day is a day that a participant is alive and not in the intensive care unit (ICU) during the first 28 days after s/he enrolled in the study.

    Time frame: 28 days

  15. Hospital Length of Stay

    Time frame: At end of hospital admission

  16. Hospital Mortality

    Time frame: At end of hospitalization

  17. 60-day Mortality

    Time frame: 60 days from day of enrollment into study

  18. Change in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) Interleukin (IL)-8

    15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 3rd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 9

  19. Change in BALF Leukotriene B4

    15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 3rd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 9

  20. Change in BALF Interleukin-6

    15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 3rd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 9

  21. Change in BALF Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1

    15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 3rd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 9

  22. Change in BALF Neutrophil Count

    15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 3rd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 9

  23. Change in Plasma Interleukin-8

    15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 3rd blood draw on day 9. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 9

  24. Change in Plasma Leukotriene B4

    15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 3rd blood draw on day 9. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 9

  25. Change in Plasma Interleukin-6

    15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 3rd blood draw on day 9. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 9

  26. Change in Plasma Surfactant Protein D

    15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 3rd blood draw on day 9. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 9

  27. Change in Plasma vonWillebrand Factor

    15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 3rd blood draw on day 9. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

    Time frame: Days 1 and 9

07

Results

Posted Oct 3, 2011

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Started4149
Completed3944
Not completed25
Withdrew: Extubated before first bal10
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up13
Withdrew: Physician decision01
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject01

Outcome measures

PrimaryChange in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) Interleukin (IL)-8

30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 2nd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 5
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) Interleukin (IL)-8
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) Interleukin (IL)-843 (-656 to 604)-241 (-807 to 349)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.37
SecondaryChange in BALF Leukotriene B4

30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 2nd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 5
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in BALF Leukotriene B4
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in BALF Leukotriene B46 (-1 to 14)-2 (-26 to 9)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.04
SecondaryChange in BALF Interleukin-6

30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 2nd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 5
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in BALF Interleukin-6
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in BALF Interleukin-6-24 (-340 to 51)-200 (-692 to 0)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.16
SecondaryChange in BALF Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1

30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 2nd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 5
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in BALF Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in BALF Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1-150 (-1812 to 93)-226 (-752 to -38)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.79
SecondaryChange in BALF Neutrophil Count

30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 2nd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 5
Reported as:
Median · # of cells/mm^3
Change in BALF Neutrophil Count
# of cells/mm^3Enteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in BALF Neutrophil Count-3 (-19 to 12)-10 (-21 to 7)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.34
SecondaryStatic Lung Compliance

30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group remained intubated on day 5 and had this outcome available.

Time frame:
Day 5
Reported as:
Mean · L/cm H20
Static Lung Compliance
L/cm H20Enteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Static Lung Compliance31.8 ± 10.136.3 ± 20.1
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.26
SecondaryOxygenation

PaO2/FiO2 is the ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen. 30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group remained intubated on day 5 and had this outcome available.

Time frame:
Day 5
Reported as:
Mean · PaO2/FiO2
Oxygenation
PaO2/FiO2Enteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Oxygenation215.4 ± 92.8174.0 ± 63.4
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.06
SecondaryChange in Plasma Interleukin-8

30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 2nd blood draw on day 5. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 5
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Plasma Interleukin-8
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Plasma Interleukin-80 (-8 to 0)0 (-13 to 0)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.89
SecondaryChange in Plasma Leukotriene B4

30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 2nd blood draw on day 5. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 5
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Plasma Leukotriene B4
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Plasma Leukotriene B421 (0 to 32)-6 (-35 to 7)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.002
SecondaryChange in Plasma Interleukin-6

30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 2nd blood draw on day 5. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 5
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Plasma Interleukin-6
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Plasma Interleukin-6-33 (-162 to -13)-78 (-163 to -29)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.27
SecondaryChange in Plasma Surfactant Protein D

30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 2nd blood draw on day 5. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 5
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Plasma Surfactant Protein D
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Plasma Surfactant Protein D25 (0 to 32)36 (1 to 139)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.20
SecondaryChange in Plasma vonWillebrand Factor

30 patients in the fish oil group and 36 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 2nd blood draw on day 5. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 5
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Plasma vonWillebrand Factor
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Plasma vonWillebrand Factor15 (-103 to 158)68 (21 to 206)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.11
SecondaryWorst Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS) During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment

Full scale name is Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS), a scale measuring degree of organ dysfunction in critically ill patients. Minimum score is 0 and maximum score is 24, with 0 indicating no organ failure and 24 indicating severe failure of multiple organs.

Time frame:
Throughout hospital stay
Reported as:
Mean · Scores on a scale
Worst Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS) During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment
Scores on a scaleEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Worst Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS) During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment8.5 ± 3.18.1 ± 3.3
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.56
SecondaryVentilator-free Days During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment

Ventilator-free days is a common outcome measure in critical care research. A ventilator-free day is a day that a participant is alive and not receiving mechanical ventilation during the first 28 days after s/he enrolled in the study.

Time frame:
28 days
Reported as:
Mean · Days
Ventilator-free Days During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment
DaysEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Ventilator-free Days During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment14.5 ± 10.313.6 ± 9.9
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.69
SecondaryICU-free Days During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment

ICU-free days is a common outcome measure in critical care research. An ICU-free day is a day that a participant is alive and not in the intensive care unit (ICU) during the first 28 days after s/he enrolled in the study.

Time frame:
28 days
Reported as:
Mean · Days
ICU-free Days During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment
DaysEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
ICU-free Days During First 28 Days After Study Enrollment12.2 ± 9.811.2 ± 9.7
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.66
SecondaryHospital Length of Stay
Time frame:
At end of hospital admission
Reported as:
Mean · Days
Hospital Length of Stay
DaysEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Hospital Length of Stay23 ± 18.327.6 ± 20.6
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.27
SecondaryHospital Mortality
Time frame:
At end of hospitalization
Reported as:
Number · Participants
Hospital Mortality
ParticipantsEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Hospital Mortality910
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Chi-squared · p = 0.65
Secondary60-day Mortality
Time frame:
60 days from day of enrollment into study
Reported as:
Number · Participants
60-day Mortality
ParticipantsEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
60-day Mortality911
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Chi-squared · p = 0.49
SecondaryChange in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) Interleukin (IL)-8

15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 3rd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 9
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) Interleukin (IL)-8
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) Interleukin (IL)-8-531 (-1308 to 94)-298 (-870 to 397)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.55
SecondaryChange in BALF Leukotriene B4

15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 3rd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 9
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in BALF Leukotriene B4
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in BALF Leukotriene B40 (-2 to 33)16 (0 to 50)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.38
SecondaryChange in BALF Interleukin-6

15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 3rd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 9
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in BALF Interleukin-6
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in BALF Interleukin-6-52 (-898 to 0)-198 (-865 to -17)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.84
SecondaryChange in BALF Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1

15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 3rd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 9
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in BALF Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in BALF Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1-402 (-1690 to -41)-670 (-1057 to -151)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.74
SecondaryChange in BALF Neutrophil Count

15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent the 3rd bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Participants did not undergo BALs after baseline if they were not intubated or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 9
Reported as:
Median · # of cells/mm^3
Change in BALF Neutrophil Count
# of cells/mm^3Enteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in BALF Neutrophil Count-4 (-48 to 8)-10 (-56 to 15)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.84
SecondaryChange in Plasma Interleukin-8

15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 3rd blood draw on day 9. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 9
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Plasma Interleukin-8
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Plasma Interleukin-8-1 (-17 to 0)0 (-15 to 2)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.71
SecondaryChange in Plasma Leukotriene B4

15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 3rd blood draw on day 9. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 9
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Plasma Leukotriene B4
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Plasma Leukotriene B410 (3 to 40)6 (-22 to 14)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.08
SecondaryChange in Plasma Interleukin-6

15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 3rd blood draw on day 9. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 9
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Plasma Interleukin-6
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Plasma Interleukin-6-83 (-174 to 14)-78 (-163 to -29)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.86
SecondaryChange in Plasma Surfactant Protein D

15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 3rd blood draw on day 9. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 9
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Plasma Surfactant Protein D
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Plasma Surfactant Protein D26 (-12 to 78)17 (-36 to 68)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.89
SecondaryChange in Plasma vonWillebrand Factor

15 patients in the fish oil group and 27 patients in the enteral saline group underwent 3rd blood draw on day 9. Participants did not undergo blood draws after baseline if they were discharged from the ICU or had expired, but clinical followup data (e.g. mortality) were collected.

Time frame:
Days 1 and 9
Reported as:
Median · pg/mL
Change in Plasma vonWillebrand Factor
pg/mLEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Change in Plasma vonWillebrand Factor116 (-9 to 235)43 (-21 to 164)
Statistical analysis
  • Enteral Fish Oil vs Enteral Saline · Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) · p = 0.34

Adverse events

Collected over 28 days from day of study enrollment. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Enteral Fish Oil—12/41 (29.3%)24/41 (58.5%)
Enteral Saline—10/49 (20.4%)27/49 (55.1%)
Most frequent serious events
Showing 10 of 17
Most frequent serious events
EventEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular responseCardiac disorders2/411/49
Renal failure requiring renal replacement therapyRenal and urinary disorders2/412/49
Critical hypoxemiaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders1/412/49
Aspiration with reintubationRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders0/412/49
PneumothoraxRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders1/412/49
Pleural and pericardial effusionsRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders1/410/49
Fulminant liver failureHepatobiliary disorders1/410/49
Right eye blindness after prolonged prone surgeryEye disorders1/410/49
Nosocomial sepsisInfections and infestations1/411/49
PEA arrestCardiac disorders1/410/49
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventEnteral Fish OilEnteral Saline
Total InfectionsInfections and infestations24/4127/49

Baseline characteristics

Age Continuous
Age Continuous(years)Enteral Fish OilEnteral SalineTotal
Mean49.0 ± 16.550.7 ± 16.549.9 ± 16.4
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Enteral Fish OilEnteral SalineTotal
Female171633
Male243357
08

Study locations

5 sites
  • St. Alphonsus Medical Center
    Boise, Idaho 83706, United States
  • Oregon Health Sciences University
    Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
  • University of Vermont/Fletcher Allen Health Care
    Burlington, Vermont 05401, United States
  • Harborview Medical Center
    Seattle, Washington 98104, United States
  • St. Michael's Hospital
    Toronto, Ontario M5B1W8, Canada
09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
Not marked actual or estimatedDates not marked actual or estimated

The record gives a start of Jul 2006, a primary completion of Jan 2009 and a completion of Aug 2009. It does not say whether these dates are actual or estimated.

Results were first posted in Oct 2011, 2 years 9 months after primary completion.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jul 11, 2006
First posted
Jul 13, 2006
Start
Jul 2006
Primary completionActual
Jan 2009
CompletionActual
Aug 2009
Results first posted
Oct 3, 2011
Last update
Oct 3, 2011
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Oct 3, 2011, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00351533
Collaborators
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), American Thoracic Society, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Foundation, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Responsible party
Renee Stapleton (Assistant Professor, University of Washington) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 13, 2006
Start date
Jul 2006
Primary completion
Jan 2009
Completion
Aug 2009
Results posted
Oct 3, 2011
Last update
Oct 3, 2011

Study contacts

Renee D. Stapleton, MD, MSc
principal investigator · University of Vermont

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Aug 2011. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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Studies of the drug tested here: Fish Oils

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