Zeitschrift für Nephrologie und Therapeutik

Does Omega-3 Supplementation have Beneficial Effects on Blood Pressure, Left Ventricular Geometry and Arterial Function and Arterial Properties in Patients with Chronic Renal Disease Stage 1-3?

Abstract

Agnieszka Pluta, Paweł Strozecki, Jacek Kesy, Magdalena Krintus, Beata Sulikowska, Grazyna Odrowaz-Sypniewska and Jacek Manitius

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by unfavorable cardiac and vascular remodeling. The study aimed at evaluating effects of 6-month supplementation with omega-3 on blood pressure, left ventricular geometry and function, and arterial properties in patients with CKD 1-3.

Methods: Six-month supplementation with omega-3 acids (2 g/day) was completed in 87 CKD patients, and in 27 individuals without CKD, hypertension or overt cardiovascular disease. At baseline and after supplementation, an echocardiographic examination was performed, evaluating left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular relative wall thickness (RWT), and ejection fraction (EF). Ultrasound imaging of the common carotid artery with intima media thickness (IMT), aortic pulse wave velocity measurement (PWV) and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were performed. Serum concentration of omega-3 acids: eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosahexaenoic (DHA), and alpha linolenic (ALA) was determined using gas chromatography.

Results: After six-month omega-3 supplementation, ALA concentration increased in CKD patients and in reference group, while EPA and DHA did not change. PWV and IMT values did not change significantly. Posterior wall thickness (PWd) (p=0.018) and RWT decreased (p=0.035), while LVMI and EF did not change in CKD group. ABPM did not change.

Conclusion: Supplementation with omega-3 acid resulted in beneficial left ventricular remodeling, despite the absence of changes in ABPM and arterial properties.

Trial registration: The study was registered in Clinical Trials.gov. Identifier: NCT 02147002.