The benefits of antioxidants or DHA/EPA supplementation for CF , although observed in some studies , are not consistent enough to recommend routine use of these supplements .
Antioxidant micronutrients and essential fatty acids supplementation intake appears to have a protective effect in some diseases such as cardiovascular disease , cancer , and asthma .
The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review to evaluate the effects of these nutrients on nutritional and clinical outcomes of patients with cystic fibrosis ( CF ) .
This is a systematic review of r and omized clinical trials ( RCTs ) in CF .
Abnormal intracellular lipid processing contributes to fat malabsorption in cystic fibrosis patients.
A common feature of cystic fibrosis ( CF ) is the functional derangement of the exocrine pancreas , which affects output of pancreatic lipase . This condition results in severe dietary malabsorption due to the poor hydrolysis of triacylglycerol ( TG ) in the lumen of the small intestine . Despite the benefits of pancreatic enzyme supplements , patients with CF present with persistent intestinal fat malabsorption . The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether defects in the intracellular phase of lipid transport occur in this pathophysiology in addition to the known disturbed digestive processes . Our hypothesis was tested by incubating  intestinal biopsies  from six CF and six healthy subjects with radiolabeled lipid and protein precursors .  Lipid esterification and secretion were markedly decreased by 22 - 31 % and 38 - 42 % , respectively , in CF sample s , as noted by the low incorporation of [(14)C]palmitic acid into TGs , phospholipids , and cholesteryl esters in patients ' duodenal explants and culture media compared with controls ( 100 % ) . Accordingly , the output of TG-rich lipoproteins was substantially reduced ( P < 0.05 ) , and a similar trend was observed for high-density lipoproteins . Because intestinal lipoprotein assembly/secretion shows an absolute requirement for apolipoprotein ( apo ) B-48 , radioactive labeling experiments were performed ; these experiments demonstrated a significantly ( P < 0.05 ) diminished synthesis of apoB-48 ( 40 % ) and apoA-I ( 30 % ) . Given the critical role of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein in the formation of apoB-containing lipoproteins , its activity was determined and not found to be altered in CF intestinal tissue . Together , these results suggest that CF malabsorption may also be caused by defects in mucosal mechanisms leading to abnormal lipoprotein delivery into the blood circulation
The benefits of antioxidants or DHA/EPA supplementation for CF , although observed in some studies , are not consistent enough to recommend routine use of these supplements .
Antioxidant micronutrients and essential fatty acids supplementation intake appears to have a protective effect in some diseases such as cardiovascular disease , cancer , and asthma .
The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review to evaluate the effects of these nutrients on nutritional and clinical outcomes of patients with cystic fibrosis ( CF ) .
This is a systematic review of r and omized clinical trials ( RCTs ) in CF .