Effectiveness of Omega-3 Supplement on Lipid Profile and Lipid Peroxidation in Kidney Allograft Recipients

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 fatty acids carry major roles in mediating inflammation, immune response, lipid peroxidation and lipoprotein metabolism. Diversity of health benefits have been attributed to dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in transplant and nontransplant settings. Several studies in renal transplantation have suggested that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may lead to significant clinical benefits. However, the extents of these benefits are variable and published data had not coincided with positive findings. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of omega-3 supplementation on the lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in patients underwent kidney transplant. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty cases had been selected with stable allograft function following at least six months of transplantation. The serum levels of lipids including triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), total cholesterol and indices of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde and APO a1) were measured by biochemical techniques at the baseline. Two months following prescription of oral omega-3 (3 g/day), the biochemical measurements were repeated and the differences were analyzed. RESULTS: Of thirty patients, 12 were male and 18 were female with the mean age of 45.3 ± 13.0 (18-65) years. At the baseline, the serum levels of MDA and APO B were 3.5 ± 1.3 and 148.3 ± 20.4 ng/dL respectively. At the end of two months following intervention, they were 3.2 ± 1.2 and 145.7 ± 19.0 ng/dL, respectively (P > 0.05). Correspondingly, at the baseline the serum levels of triglyceride, LDL, VLDL and total cholesterol were 171.1 ± 58.7, 106.9 ± 31.8, 42.2 ± 4.0, 145.7 ± 33.2 and 181.2 ± 35.1 mg/dL and after intervention they were 162.4 ± 82.5, 99.4 ± 35.1, 44.6 ± 6.3, 140.3 ± 33.1 and 170.9 ± 38.3 mg/dL, respectively (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the males and females in this instance. CONCLUSIONS: Our results seem to indicate that oral omega-3 may promote the lipid profile and indices of lipid peroxidation in patients following kidney transplantation however extents of these effects are not significant.