title: Flaxseed oil supplementation decreases C-reactive protein levels in chronic hemodialysis patients.
abstract: Malnutrition and chronic inflammation in dialysis patients negatively impact their survival prognosis, and nutrients, such as omega-3 oils, are postulated to reduce proinflammatory response. In this randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial, we investigated the effects of flaxseed oil (FO) on the inflammatory state of patients with chronic renal failure undergoing renal replacement therapy with hemodialysis (HD). We hypothesized that FO supplementation lowers C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. One hundred sixty patients with chronic renal failure who received HD therapy of 3 dialysis units over a 3-month period in South Brazil were included. The patients received blind doses of FO (1 g twice a day) and placebo (mineral oil, 1 g twice a day) for a period of 120 days. Inflammation was observed in 89 patients (61%) at the beginning of the study. There was a correlation between CRP and the body mass index (R(s) = 0.22; P = .022) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (R(s) = -0.23; P = .032), and the CRP levels decreased significantly over time in the group that received FO compared with the control group (P < .001). During the study period, 33.3% of the FO group changed from an inflamed to a not-inflamed category, whereas only 16.9% changed in the mineral oil group (P = .04). We conclude that the administration of FO decreases the CRP levels and that inflammation in HD patients appears to be correlated to their body mass index and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Studies with a larger number of patients and over a longer duration are necessary to corroborate these findings.
authors.affiliation: Post Graduation Medicine: Medical Sciences Program, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. joanarnlemos@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Joana R N
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.forename: Mariana Gascue de
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Alencastro
authors.forename: Anita Vieceli
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Konrath
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cargnin
authors.forename: Roberto Ceratti
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Manfro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D019597:Flax / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008043:Linseed Oil / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012639:Seeds
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D008043:Linseed Oil; D002097:C-Reactive Protein