Effect of Over-the-Counter Fish-Oil Administration on Plasma Lp(a) Levels in an End-Stage Renal Disease Population
published online 14 September 2009.
Objective
This study sought to examine the effect of n-3 supplementation on lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.
Design
The present study was conducted using a double-blind, permuted-randomized, controlled experimental protocol.
Setting
This study took place at the Central Texas Nephrology Associates Dialysis Clinic (Waco, TX).
Patients
Patients with ESRD and associated with the Central Texas Nephrology Associates who were undergoing chronic hemodialysis participated in this study.
Intervention
Patients with ESRD were followed prospectively while receiving supplements of fish oil (treatment, eicosapentaenoic acid, 0.96g/day, and docosahexaenoic acid, 0.6g/day) or corn oil (control subjects) for 6 months. After a 12-hour fast, participants donated 12mL of blood for analysis of Lp(a) at baseline and at 6 months.
Main Outcome Measure
The comparison of Lp(a) concentration by group at 6 months was the primary outcome measure of the study.
Results
Our study suggests that fish-oil supplementation did not decrease levels of Lp(a) (P=.66), compared with control subjects.
Conclusion
We failed to show a significant effect of 6 months of over-the-counter fish-oil supplementation on Lp(a) status in an ESRD population, although results from this study support findings from other studies suggesting that African Americans have higher Lp(a) concentrations than persons of Caucasian decent.
∗Center for Exercise, Nutrition, and Preventive Health Research, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, School of Education, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
†Department of Statistics, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Address reprint requests to Rodney G. Bowden, PhD, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, School of Education, Baylor University, One Bear Place, #97304, Waco, TX 76798-7313.
ABSTRACT