Cytokine storm associated with severe COVID‐19 infections: The potential mitigating role of omega‐3 fatty acid triglycerides in the ICU

Abstract

AbstractCytokine storm during severe COVID‐19 infection increases the risk of mortality in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit. Multiple therapeutic proposals include, for example, anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents, selective inhibitors of key pro‐inflammatory receptors, and key enzymes necessary for viral replication. Unfortunately, safe and effective therapy remains an elusive goal. An alternative anti‐inflammatory approach vis á vis omega‐3 fatty acids, which yields less pro‐inflammatory mediators by altering eicosanoid metabolism, has been proposed. Although theoretically promising, enteral tube delivery or oral capsules containing specific doses of omega‐3 fatty acids take precious time (7 days to 6 weeks) to be incorporated in plasma cell membranes to be most effective, making this route of administration in the acute care setting an unfeasible therapeutic approach. Parenteral administration of precise doses of omega‐3 fatty acid triglycerides in an injectable emulsion can greatly accelerate the incorporation and potential therapeutic effects (within hours), but at present, there is no commercially available product designed for this purpose. We describe a potential formulation that may address this deficiency, while recognizing that the high incidence of hyperlipidemia that occurs during severe COVID‐19 infection must be recognized as a complicating factor, and, therefore, caution is advised.