Effect of omega-3 supplementation on serum level of homocysteine in hemodialysis patients.
BACKGROUND
Patients with end-stage renal disease are at a high risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Elevated level of homocysteine is an important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. There are some strategies for reduction of serum homocysteine level in these patients, including folate and vitamin supplementation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 supplementation on serum homocysteine level in patients on hemodialysis.


METHODS
In a randomized controlled trial, 100 hemodialysis patients were assigned into two groups to receive omega-3 (oral capsule, 3 g/d) or placebo for 2 months. Complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum lipids, and serum homocysteine levels were measured before the study and after 2 months at the end of study.


RESULTS
Of 100 patients, 6 in each group were excluded, and 44 patients in each group completed the study. There were no significant differences regarding the age, sex, and the number of dialysis sessions per week between the two groups. No difference was observed between the two groups in the laboratory investigations at the end of the study, except for a significant reduction in serum homocysteine level in the omega-3 group as compared to the placebo group (P = .03).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed a significant reduction regulated by omega-3 supplementation in serum homocysteine level which is a cardiovascular risk factor among hemodialysis patients. Omega-3 can be considered as another homocysteine-reducing agent in this population.
Chronic Kidney Disease Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital and Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. farid.panahi@gmail.com.
Hamid
H
Tayebi-Khosroshahi
Reza
R
Dehgan
Bahlul
B
Habibi Asl
Abdolrasul
A
Safaian
Farid
F
Panahi
Rasul
R
Estakhri
Behruz
B
Purasgar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine; D003404:Creatinine