Marine n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation and Quality of Life After Kidney Transplant

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 51; no. 2; pp. 466 - 469
• Main Authors: Aasebø, W., Svensson, M., Jenssen, T., Eide, I.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-03-2019; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Female; Humans; Kidney Transplantation - psychology; Male; Medical disciplines: 700; Medisinske Fag: 700; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Transplant Recipients - psychology; VDP
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2019.01.067

Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may improve cardiovascular, renal, and mental health. No previous trial has investigated the effects of marine n-3 PUFA supplementation on quality of life (QoL) indices after renal transplant.
In this trial, 132 renal transplant recipients were randomized to receive daily either 2.6 g of marine n-3 PUFAs or an equivalent dose of olive oil (controls) on top of standard care for 44 weeks. We used a Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire at baseline (8 weeks post transplant) and at the end of the study (1 year after transplant) to assess QoL. Results were expressed as net change (Δ) in SF-36 individual and composite mental and physical scores during follow-up.
We found no improvement of Δ SF-36 individual or composite scores after marine n-3 PUFA supplementation compared with controls. In per-protocol analysis, patients who received marine n-3 PUFAs had a Δ emotional role function (mean, 17% [SD, 50%] vs mean, 3% [SD, 37%]; P = .11). In addition, plasma marine n-3 PUFA levels showed a weak but statistically significant correlation with Δ composite mental function score (r = .18; P =  .04).
Marine n-3 PUFA supplementation did not improve QoL after renal transplant.