A Phase 4 interventional study of supportan and supportan placebo in Colorectal Cancer, sponsored by Aalborg University Hospital. Completed at 1 site in Denmark. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2010-04-12.
Sponsored by Aalborg University Hospital · Phase 4, Interventional, and Prevention
To discover whether an Omega-3 fatty acid (eicosapentaenoic acid/EPA and docosahexaensyre/DHA) enriched nutritional supplement given 7 days preoperatively and 7 days postoperatively may reduce the frequency of postoperative infectious complications defined as: pneumonia, wound infection, urinary tract infection, peritonitis (including anastomotic leakage) and septic conditions of any cause in patients who undergo elective operations for colorectal cancer compared with a nutritional preparation that is identical apart from the EPA content.
Several earlier studies indicate that perioperative supplements of Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of postoperative complications after major surgery through an immune modulating effect in the form of a downward adjustment of the inflammatory response. (1-7) The interpretation of these studies is made more difficult by differences in their method of administration (parentally/enterally), differences in the time of the intervention (preoperative/postoperative) and differences in the selection of patients (malnourished cancer patients / upper GI cancer patients/mixed surgical patients) and finally because many of the studies deal with a so-called immune modulating preparation containing a mixture of arginine, Omega-3 fatty acids and ribonucleic acid.
The biological effects of fish oils are related to their content of such things as Omega-3 fatty acids that can be incorporated in cell membranes where they influence receptor function, enzyme activity and the production of lipid mediators. The cells from the immune system perform their functions through membrane-associated activities like secretion of cytokines, antibodies, lymphocyte transformation and contact lysine. These functions can be affected by changes in the membrane structure. (7;8) Besides the effect parameter of postoperative septic complications, many of these studies use pseudoparameters such as length of stay, need for respirator treatment, time in intensive care as well as a wide range of biochemical changes whose relevance to the clinic process can be difficult to assess. (1-7;9-13;). It is well-known that early enteral nutrition reduces the risk of postoperative complications (14; 15). Many of the aforementioned studies similarly point to a benefit from using Omega-3 fatty acid enriched nutritional preparations preoperatively. There is now a commercially manufactured nutritional preparation for peroral consumption containing Omega-3 fatty acids - Supportan (Fresenius-Kabi). The preparation is more energy intensive than similar drink preparations, but does not otherwise differ in composition from standard preparations. It is approved by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration for this study.
In 2 x 200ml of Supportan 3 g EPA and DHA are given daily. In other studies up to 10 g have been given daily without side effects. (6; 16)
1,233 studies on the registry are indexed under Postoperative Complications; 292 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 148 is above the median of 119 across 689 interventional studies indexed under Postoperative Complications.
Browse Postoperative Complications studies →Aalborg University Hospital is the lead sponsor of 195 studies on the registry; 39 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Dietary Supplement: supportan
Dietary Supplement: supportan placebo
2 sip feed pr. day
2 sip feed pr. day
In previous studies a complication frequency (infectious complications) of at least 30% was found for this type of operation (14; 17) This figure has to be reduced to 10% (MIREDIF = 20%).
Primary outcome measures are infectious complications after surgery for colorectal cancer defined as: pneumonia, cystitis, wound infection, intraabdominal abscess, peritonitis, septicemia, other infections. 30 day mortality and other complications such as bleeding, wound dehiscence, anastomotic leakage will also be registered
Time frame: 1 year
The secondary outcome variable is hospitalisation time and mortality. Given the material's size, it is not expected to be possible to demonstrate a significant reduction in mortality
Time frame: 1 year
incorporation of fatty acids in cell membranes
laboratory test on blood sample (leucocytes
Time frame: after 7 days of intervention
development in interleukins after surgery
analysis of blood sample
Time frame: day 1-4 after surgery
lenght of stay in hospital
This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2010. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Aalborg University Hospital