Does omega-3 fatty acids supplementation affect C-Reactive protein and Nitric oxide in pediatric patients undergoing hemodialysis?

Abstract

<italic>Background:</italic>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem in the pediatric population. Patients with CKD die of cardiovascular causes rather than from renal disease. There are several traditional and non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in these patients. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the non-traditional risk factors for CVD. Many studies have shown the ability of omega-3 fatty acids to improve the endothelial function and reduce the cardiovascular events in the general population. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on markers of endothelial dysfunction in children with CKD on regular hemodialysis (HD). <italic>Methods and procedures:</italic> This double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial included 49 pediatric patients on maintenance HD. Group 1 (n=25) received 1 g omega-3 capsule once daily and group 2 (n=24) received 1 g matched placebo capsule once daily. Both groups were treated for four months. Blood samples were taken from patients of both groups at baseline and after 4 months of supplementation. Serum samples were examined for C-reactive protein (CRP) and nitric oxide (NO) levels as markers of endothelial dysfunction. <italic>Results:</italic> Our results showed that CRP was reduced insignificantly in omega-3 group. NO levels showed no significant differences between groups at the end of the study. <italic>Conclusion:</italic> The administration of 1 g omega-3 capsule once daily for 4 months had no beneficial effects neither on CRP nor NO but should evaluate more.