The Effect of Low Dose Omega-3 on Plasma Lipids in Hemodialysis Patients

Hemodialysis (HD) patients have a high incidence of cardiovascular disease and increased premature mortality. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are known to decrease plasma triglyceride (TG) levels and have a cardio-protective effect in subjects with normal renal function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Omega-3 on plasma lipid levels in patients on HD. We included 33 patients on HD with serum TG higher than 200 mg/dl and total cholesterol higher than 220 mg/dl, in the study and randomly assigned them to treatment with 2 gm pearls of Omega-3 per day, given in two equal doses or a control group who did not receive this drug. The study was conducted for a period of 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated by measurement of fasting plasma lipid levels before and after the use of Omega-3. There was a significant (28%) increase in high-density lipoprotein levels (P 0.01) and a significant (23 %) decrease in serum TG levels (P 0.02) in the group that received Omega-3 supplement. There were no changes in total cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein levels in either group. Our study suggests that supplementation with low-dose Omega-3 has a favorable effect on plasma lipid levels in patients on HD.