OMEGA-3 supplementation reduced key markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with moderate-to-severe head injuries but failed to translate into improved long-term clinical outcomes. This is according to findings from a recent experimental trial.
Head injuries remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with traumatic brain injury linked to significant inflammatory and oxidative stress responses that worsen prognosis. Omega-3 fatty acids, known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, have drawn interest as a potential adjunct to standard therapy in acute care settings.
The trial, conducted between January and July 2024, enrolled 46 patients with moderate-to-severe head injuries who were randomized to receive either standard therapy alone or standard therapy plus daily omega-3 supplementation. Each capsule contained 1,000 mg of fish oil, including 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Investigators measured inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and malondialdehyde (MDA), on Day 1 and Day 7. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) after 3 months.
Patients receiving omega-3 supplementation demonstrated significantly greater reductions in CRP, NLR, and MDA levels compared with controls (P<0.05 for all). Despite these biochemical improvements, there was no significant difference in GOS-E scores at 3 months between the two groups (P=0.717). The authors conclude that omega-3 therapy shows promise in modulating the acute inflammatory response to head trauma but has not yet demonstrated clinical benefit in long-term recovery. They highlight the need for further trials exploring higher DHA formulations, optimal dosing strategies, and the role of adjunct factors such as magnesium in influencing neurological outcomes. These findings suggest that while omega-3s may attenuate early markers of secondary injury processes in traumatic brain injury, translating these effects into measurable functional recovery remains an unresolved challenge. Reference: Niryana IW et al. Impact of omega-3 supplementation on inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe head injuries: An experimental trial. Surg Neurol Int. 2025;16:338.
