The effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in patients with chronic renal failure--a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
To systemically review and analyze the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) consumption on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in patients with end-stage renal disease.


METHODS
Systemic review, with meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.


METHODS
We performed a systemic review and meta-analysis of the lipid-modulating effects of n-3 PUFAs by combining evidences from 10 randomized controlled trials including 557 patients with end-stage renal disease.


RESULTS
Pooled analysis revealed that n-3 PUFA intake significantly reduced serum triglyceride levels by -0.78 mmol/L (95% confidence interval: -1.12 to -0.44 mmol/L, P < .0001). Consumption of n-3 PUFAs also reduced the plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by -0.09 mmol/L and elevated plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by -0.25 mmol/L, but these changes were not statistically significant. Plasma levels of total cholesterols were elevated in both n-3 PUFA and control groups, with a lesser increase in the n-3 PUFA group, without statistical significance. Metaregression showed no correlation between the amounts or duration of n-3 PUFA intake and their lipid-modulating effects.


CONCLUSIONS
In our meta-analysis, n-3 PUFA consumption significantly lowered the serum triglyceride levels. No significant changes were found on the degrees of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction and total cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol elevation effects.
Department of Medical Statistics, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
Jiao
J
Pei
Yiyang
Y
Zhao
Lujiao
L
Huang
Xingyu
X
Zhang
Yang
Y
Wu
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D014280:Triglycerides