title: Effects of fish oil supplementation on kidney transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on various kidney transplant-related outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed of published randomized, controlled trials (RCT). There were 16 kidney transplant RCT with a total of 812 patients. All trials evaluated fish oil with dosages that ranged from 1.2 to 5.4 g/d. No consistent benefits were observed for any outcome with the exception of a modest benefit on triglycerides. A meta-analysis of rejection episodes found no significant benefit on either early (<6 mo posttransplantation) or late episodes. The overall relative risk of having at least one rejection episode in those who received fish oil was 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.74 to 1.10) in four studies with a follow-up of 1 yr. A meta-analysis of eight RCT of graft survival found no significant benefit (relative risk 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.96 to 1.05). The available data (mostly derived from older studies with important methodologic limitations) do not demonstrate a consistent, clinically important benefit of fish oil in kidney transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Tufts-New England Medical Center, Evidence-Based Practice Center, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, 750 Washington Street, Box 63, Boston, MA 0211, USA.
authors.forename: Athina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tatsioni
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Yannan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kupelnick
authors.forename: Alice H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lichtenstein
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.forename: Priscilla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bonis
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D012306:Risk; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents