title: Effects of a diet rich in N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on systemic inflammation in renal transplant recipients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation reduces systemic inflammation and improves renal and cardiovascular prognosis in kidney transplant recipients. However, patient compliance is poor because bad-tasting fish oils are used as an n-3 PUFA source. Therefore, we explored whether the beneficial effects of n-3 can be obtained by administering a diet based on n-3-rich foods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty kidney transplant recipients were assigned to 2 different groups: the CON group (n = 28), which continued with their usual diet, and the DIET group (n = 32), which followed an n-3-rich diet for 6 months. Twenty-six patients in the DIET group and 24 in the CON group completed the study. End points of the study were changes in n-3 PUFAs intake, n-6:n-3 PUFAs ratio, systemic inflammation markers, and renal function during the 6 months of the dietary treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three and 6 months after the beginning of the study, n-3 PUFA intake was significantly higher and the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio was markedly lower than baseline in the DIET group. Plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, and interleukin (IL)-6 decreased as well. IL-6 mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were also lower than at the beginning of the study. Proteinuria and microalbuminuria were reduced by 50% with respect to the baseline, whereas glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was unchanged. No change in the aforementioned parameters was observed in the CON group throughout the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In long-term kidney transplant recipients a naturally n-3 PUFA-rich dietary plan causes an increase in n-3 PUFA intake, decreases systemic inflammation and proteinuria, and improves plasma lipid pattern.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Public Health , University Federico II of Naples , ITALY.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabbatini
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Apicella
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cataldi
authors.forename: Immacolata
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maresca
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nastasi
authors.forename: Sossio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Memoli
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Postiglione
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Riccio
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Federico
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guida
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008055:Lipids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein