Relationship of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation to plasma lipid peroxidation in predialysis patients with hypertriglyceridaemia.

Objectives: Since it has been suggested that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may be an efficient treatment for dyslipoproteinaemia and renal function in uraemic patients, this study was carried out to evaluate the potential adverse effects of polyunsaturated acids on lipid peroxidation in patients with chronic renal failure.

Patients And Methods: Five uraemic predialysis patients with various renal diseases presenting progressive renal failure and moderate hypertriglyceridaemia (1.93 +/- 0.60 g/L) in comparison with the reference values of our laboratory (0.88 +/- 0.20 g/L) were given 6 g of fish oil per day for 6 months in the form of Maxepa capsules containing a low dose of tocopherol acetate (10.5 mg/day). During the treatment we investigated the effect (expected to be beneficial) of n-3 PUFA on triglyceride plasma levels and renal function. We also investigated the potential side effect of such a treatment on lipid peroxidation.

Results: A moderate decrease of triglycerides early after the introduction of the treatment (1.93 +/- 0.6 g/L vs 1.33 +/- 0.58 g/L; 0 vs 0.5 months) was observed. In all patients, lipid peroxides measured as thiobarbituric acid reactants increased early after the introduction of the n-3 PUFA therapy (2.8 + 0.8 vs 3.76 +/- 0.15 mumol/L; 0 vs 0.5 months). Organic hyperoxides were significantly different in these patients compared with laboratory values, but they did not increase significantly during the treatment.

Conclusion: It must be noted that polyunsaturated fatty acids should be used with caution in predialysis patients.