Omega-3 and Renal Function in Older Adults

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem and can result in end-stage renal disease with need for dialysis or transplantation. In Europe up to 12% of the adult population had some renal impairment, while in the United States the end stage of CKD has increased dramatically from 209.000 in 1991 to 472.000 in 2004. Diabetes and hypertension are major causes of kidney pathology. Infection, particularly ascending infection, is more common with increasing age, as both immune function declines and associated pathology predisposing to infection, such as obstructive uropathy, becomes more common. Most pathological changes in the kidney appear to be initiated by oxidative stress, followed by an inflammatory reaction. Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between free radicals and their detoxification by endogenous and exogenous scavengers, including polyunsatured fatty acids (PUFA). Recent studies showed that PUFA supplementation slowed the rate of loss of renal function in patients with IgA nephropathy. Then, studies of omega-3 supplementation in dialysis patients describe salutary effects on triglyceride levels and dialysis access patency. We examined the relationship between total plasma PUFA levels and change in creatinine clearance over a three-year follow-up in the older persons enrolled in the InCHIANTI study, a population-based epidemiology study conducted in Tuscany, Italy. This study showed that older adults with low total plasma PUFA levels have a greater decline in creatinine clearance over three years of follow-up. These findings suggest that a higher dietary intake of PUFA may be protective against progression to chronic kidney disease.

Linseed Essential Oil – Source of Lipids as Active Ingredients for Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals

“…Chronic kidney disease (CKD) commonly requires dialysis or transplantation for patients' survival and can eventually lead to dead [185,186]. It has been reported that, because of their anti-inflammatory properties, omega-3 fatty acids can also preserve kidneys.…”

Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid on the Fatty Acid Content of the Erythrocyte Membrane and Proteinuria in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy

“…Studies in animals have shown that omega-3 FA can be beneficial in retarding the progression of renal failure [ 34 , 35 ]. Epidemiological studies suggest that omega-3 FA can slow the progression of renal dysfunction [ 36 , 37 ] and prevent the decline in creatinine clearance in healthy elderly people [ 38 ]. In addition, omega-3 FA could slow the progression of proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes, but the study in question included patients who were not controlling their BP [ 4 ].…”

Effectiveness of Omega-3 Supplement on Lipid Profile and Lipid Peroxidation in Kidney Allograft Recipients

“…Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most important public health problems which leads to dialysis and transplantation ( 12 ). The incidence of cardiac death in dialysis and transplant patients is higher than the general population which can be attributed to hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking and other reasons ( 13 ).…”

“…One of the common problems in patients before and after kidney transplantation are lipid abnormalities which can lead to development and progression of CVR and chronic graft dysfunction ( 14 ). Oxidative stress causes the most pathological changes in the kidney, initially followed by an inflammatory reaction ( 12 ). Some studies demonstrated the effect of omega-3 on dyslipidemia, lipid and protein peroxidation, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defense in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) ( 15 - 18 ).…”