The effect of n-3 fatty acids on plasma lipids and lipoproteins and blood pressure in patients with CRF.
BACKGROUND
Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) have a high incidence of cardiovascular disease and increased premature mortality. n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are known to decrease plasma triglyceride levels, reduce blood pressure (BP), and have a cardioprotective effect in subjects with normal renal function. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of n-3 PUFAs on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels and 24-hour ambulatory BP in patients with CRF.


METHODS
Sixty-four patients with CRF, defined as a plasma creatinine level between 1.70 and 4.52 mg/dL (150 and 400 micromol/L), were included and randomly assigned to treatment with 2.4 g of n-3 PUFAs or control treatment (olive oil) for 8 weeks. Patients were evaluated by measurement of fasting plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels and 24-hour ambulatory BP recordings before and after the supplements. n-3 PUFA content was determined in cell membranes of granulocytes and adipose tissue samples to evaluate n-3 PUFA intake.


RESULTS
There was a significant 8% increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P < 0.01) and a significant 21% decrease in serum triglyceride levels (P < 0.02) in the group administered n-3 PUFA supplements. There were no changes in total cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in any group, and n-3 PUFAs had no effect on 24-hour ambulatory BP.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with n-3 PUFAs had a favorable effect on lipoprotein profile in patients with CRF, whereas no effect on 24-hour ambulatory BP was observed.
Svensson
My
M
Department of Nephrology, Aalborg Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. my_svensson@hotmail.com
Christensen
Jeppe Hagstrup
JH
Sølling
Jakob
J
Schmidt
Erik Berg
EB
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides