title: Plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids and the decline of renal function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies suggest an association between polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the development of chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between PUFAs and renal function in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional and prospective analysis of 931 adults, > or = 65 years old, enrolled in the InCHIANTI study, a population-based cohort in Tuscany, Italy. Plasma PUFAs were measured at enrollment, and creatinine clearance was estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault equation at baseline and after 3-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At enrollment, participants with higher creatinine clearance had higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol, total plasma PUFAs, plasma n-3 fatty acid (FA), and plasma n-6 FA and lower triglycerides. From enrollment to the 3-year follow-up visit, creatinine clearance declined by 7.8 (12.2) mL/min (P <0.0001). Baseline total plasma PUFAs, n-3 FA, n-6 FA, and linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids were strong independent predictors of less steep decline in creatinine clearance from baseline to follow-up (P <0.0001, after adjusting for baseline creatinine clearance). After adjusting for baseline creatinine, baseline total plasma PUFAs, n-3 FA, and linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids were negatively associated with creatinine at 3-year follow-up. Participants with higher plasma PUFAs at enrollment had a lower risk of developing renal insufficiency, defined by a creatinine clearance <60 mL/min, during 3-year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High PUFA concentrations, both n-3 FA and n-6 FA, may attenuate the age-associated decline in renal function among older community-dwelling women and men.
authors.affiliation: Tuscany Regional Agency, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lauretani
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Semba
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bandinelli
authors.forename: Edgar R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Carmelinda
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cherubini
authors.forename: Jack M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Guralnik
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrucci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D003404:Creatinine