Influence of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and ornithine concentrations on complications after renal transplant.
OBJECTIVE
The present study, registered at clinicaltrials.gov with the unique registration number NCT00560014, sought to evaluate the relations between fatty acid concentrations in red blood cells or plasma and amino acid concentrations in plasma on rejection, calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, and new-onset diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Lipid profiles on plasma or red blood cell samples were performed preoperatively and postoperatively in 54 patients. Plasma amino acid profiles were obtained in 49 of these patients.


RESULTS
High concentrations of total omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in red blood cells, and ornithine in plasma, all were associated with a significantly lower incidence of rejection, whereas high total omega-6 fatty acids were associated with a high rejection rate. Calcineurin inhibitor toxicity was associated with low levels of docosahexaenoic acid, ornithine, and the omega-3 index, and high total omega-6 and omega-3/omega-6 ratios. Inhibition of new-onset diabetes mellitus was seen only with high levels of ornithine. Peak concentrations of fatty acids in red blood cells were not obtained until after 30 days. High levels of arginine were not associated with reduced complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The levels of selected nutrients in plasma and red blood cell membranes appear to have a profound effect on complications after renal transplant. These preliminary results need confirmation in prospective randomized clinical trials.
Alexander
J Wesley
JW
Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. jwesley.alexander@uc.edu
Goodman
Hope R
HR
Succop
Paul
P
Light
Jimmy A
JA
Kuo
Paul C
PC
Moser
Ann B
AB
James
J Howard
JH
Woodle
E Steve
ES
D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D015994:Incidence; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009952:Ornithine / Q000097:blood*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D000074262:Rapeseed Oil
D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000074262:Rapeseed Oil; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D001120:Arginine; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D009952:Ornithine