Omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplementation in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

The effect of dietary fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acids--eicosapentenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] on several mechanisms involved in immune, inflammatory and atherosclerotic vascular disease was determined in 12 subjects with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and nephritis. These out-patients supplemented their usual diet for five weeks with daily doses of 6 g of fish oil, followed by a five-week washout period, then five weeks of 18 g of fish oil daily. The platelet EPA content rose six-fold with the lower and 15-fold with the higher dose of fish oil, and similar changes occurred to the platelet DHA content. The platelet arachidonic acid incorporation was reduced by 16 and 20%, respectively. These changes were associated with a reduction in collagen-induced platelet aggregation and an increase in red cell flexibility and a decrease in whole blood viscosity. Prostacyclin (PGI2) production was unaffected by the fish oil, but PGI3 formation correlated with its administration and dosage. Neutrophil leukotriene B4 release was reduced 78 and 42%, respectively, by the low and higher doses of fish oil. The higher fish oil dose induced a 38% decrease in triglyceride and a 39% reduction in VLDL cholesterol associated with a 28% rise in HDL, cholesterol. The fish oil had no effect on immune complex or anti-DNA antibody titer, albuminuria, intraplatelet serotonin or [14C]-serotonin release from platelets. We conclude that in patients with lupus nephritis, dietary supplementation with fish oil affects the mechanisms involved in inflammatory and atherosclerotic vascular disease.

Chronic Renal Failure: An Overview from a Pediatric Perspective

“…A National Institutes of Health funded, controlled, and double-blinded study is being conducted by the Southwest Pediatric Nephrology Study Group in children to test the efficacy of this medication in IgA nephropathy. Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation was used in lupus nephropathy, but with ambiguous results, by Clark et al [173]. Negative results were obtained by Westberg and Tarkowski [174]as well as in a larger study by Clark et al [175].…”

Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

“…Other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases which have been subject to trials of n-3 PUFA supplementation include bronchial asthma (Parm et al 1988;Picado et al 1988), atopic dermatitis (Bjorneboe et al 1987;, systemic lupus erythematosus (Clark et al 1989;Westberg & Tarkowski, 1990) and ulcerative colitis (Hawthorne et al 1992). Das (1994) reported that long-term (many months to several years) consumption of n-3 PUFA led to very marked reduction in the symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus.…”

Relationship between Hyperlipidemia, Lipid Mediators, and Progressive Glomerulosclerosis in the Nephrotic Syndrome

“…However, several interest ing effects have been noted. Clark et al [51] treated 12 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and associat ed nephritis with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation of their regular diets. In this short-term study, no effect on albuminuria or kidney function was seen.…”