Omega-3 fatty acids fail to reduce inflammation in hemodialysis patients

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is closely associated with systemic inflammation. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on inflammatory markers in patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis. Eligible participants with CKD receiving hemodialysis were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received three capsules of omega-3 fatty acids (3 g/day) for two months, while the control group received placebo capsules containing medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. Inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were measured both before and after the interventions. The results showed that CRP levels increased from 9.86 ± 12.64 to 11.46 ± 22.23 mg/L in the intervention group and from 5.24 ± 9.01 to 5.61 ± 7.93 mg/L in the control group (p = 0.11). Similarly, IL-6 levels increased from 17.84 ± 14.08 to 81.82 ± 66.22 pg/mL in the intervention group and from 14.96 ± 18.41 to 56.73 ± 115.45 pg/mL in the control group (p = 0.53). No statistically significant group differences were observed after adjusting for confounders such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking, dietary intake, and pre-existing diseases. The study findings showed that a two-month intake of omega-3 fatty acids supplements did not have a significant impact on reducing the levels of inflammatory markers in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis. Larger trials with longer durations are warranted. Study Highlights What is the Current Knowledge on the Topic? ○ Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and are reported to be potentially beneficial in reducing inflammation associated with CKD, but the evidence regarding the effectiveness of omega-3 supplements in reducing inflammatory markers in this population remains inconsistent. What Question did this Study Address? ○ What is the effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation for 2 months on CRP and IL-6 levels in patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis? What Does This Study Add to Our Knowledge? ○ Contrary to previous studies, this study found that omega-3 fatty acids supplementation did not significantly reduce CRP or IL-6 levels compared with placebo over 2 months and that short-term supplementation is not sufficient to reduce systemic inflammation in hemodialysis patients. How Might this Change Clinical Pharmacology or Translational Science? ○ These findings suggest that short-term omega-3 fatty acids supplementation may not be sufficient in reducing inflammatory markers in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis and highlight the need for larger-scale clinical trials with different doses and longer durations to investigate nutritional or pharmacological strategies.