Lipid-lowering effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids in hemodialysis patients.

In this randomized and placebo-controlled trial, safety and lipid-lowering effect of fish and corn oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids compared with sesame oil that is mainly saturated were studied in 60 hemodialysis cases allocated to 4 different treatment groups. Each group (n = 15) received either fish oil (1.5 g), corn oil (4.5 g), sesame oil (4.5 g), or placebo, daily. Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) were measured before and after 2 months of therapy. Serum HDL-c increased, but LDL-c decreased significantly after fish and corn oil therapy. In addition, serum triglyceride decreased significantly after supplementary fish oil. The ratios of LDL-c to HDL-c, total cholesterol to HDL-c, and triglyceride to HDL-c decreased significantly after fish and corn oil therapy. Sesame oil had no significant effect on the lipid profile of hemodialysis patients. Our results suggest that short-term low-dose supplementary polyunsaturated fatty acids are safe and beneficial for the lipid abnormalities of hemodialysis patients.