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Table 4 Nutritional supplement-related erythrocyte fatty acid profile changes (expressed as% total fatty acid composition; n = 79)*

From: Echium oil is not protective against weight loss in head and neck cancer patients undergoing curative radio(chemo)therapy: a randomised-controlled trial

Fatty acids

W0

W4

% change

 

   I

   C

  p

   I

   C

  p

   I

   C

  p

n -3

ALA

0.14 (0.11, 0.20)c

0.13 (0.12, 0.18)b

NS

0.17 (0.14, 0.23)c

0.12 (0.09, 0.15)b

<0.0001

25.40 (−4.50, 63.60)

−16.70 (−33.30, 0.00)

<0.0001

EPA

0.66 (0.47, 0.81)c

0.68 (0.57, 0.88)

NS

0.75 (0.66, 0.90)c

0.62 (0.50, 0.82)

0.02

14.40 (−2.78, 37.78)

−5.30 (−21.80, 8.80)

<0.001

n -6

LA

6.72 (5.94, 7.49)d

6.71 (5.88, 7.44)a

NS

6.03 (5.25, 6.81)d

6.68 (5.71, 7.16)a

NS

−8.35 (−15.38, −2.48)

−3.80 (−9.60, 3.50)

0.02

GLA

0.04 (0.02, 0.05)b

0.05 (0.03, 0.06)a

NS

0.06 (0.04, 0.07)b

0.03 (0.02, 0.06)a

<0.01

41.65 (−20.00, 133.3)

−20.00 (−50.00, 16.70)

<0.001

DGLA

1.21 (1.13, 1.42)d

1.34 (1.21, 1.65)

0.04

1.52 (1.22, 1.78)d

1.36 (1.14, 1.68)

NS

18.75 (1.75, 35.30)

2.40 (−6.20, 6.80)

<0.0001

AA

12.84 (11.39, 13.35)

12.80 (11.72, 13.50)

NS

12.78 (11.77, 13.37)

12.71 (11.71, 13.64)

NS

2.35 (−2.05, 7.13)

−0.80 (−5.30, 5.00)

NS

  1. *Data presented as median (Q1, Q3). Within-group significant differences were indicated by letters a (p < 0.05), b (p < 0.01), c (p < 0.001), d (p < 0.0001). Five patients refused second blood analysis, one was admitted to ICU. Significant P-values provided in bold.