Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on serum lipids, lipoprotein (a), and hematologic factors in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Lipid abnormalities, especially high serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] concentration, and anemia are two major causes of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in hemodialysis patients. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of marine omega-3 fatty acids on serum lipids, Lp (a), and hematologic factors in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS: Thirty-four hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to either omega-3 fatty acid supplement or placebo group. Patients in the omega-3 fatty acids group received 2080 mg marine omega-3 fatty acids, daily for 10 weeks, whereas the placebo group received a corresponding placebo. At baseline and the end of week 10, 7 mL blood was collected after a 12- to 14-h fast and serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Lp (a), blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells (RBCs), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were measured.

RESULTS: Serum triglyceride decreased significantly in the omega-3 fatty acids group at the end of week 10 compared with baseline (p < 0.05) and this reduction was significant in comparison with the placebo group (p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in mean changes of serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, Lp (a), blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC, MCV, MCH, and MCHC.

CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that marine omega-3 fatty acids can reduce serum triglyceride, as a risk factor for CVD, but it does not affect other serum lipids, Lp (a), and hematologic factors in hemodialysis patients.