SP744MARINE n-3 FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENTATION REDUCES PLASMA TRIGLYCERIDES & IMPROVES FLOW MEDIATED DILATATION IN RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Marine n‐3 fatty acids (FAs) may improve lipid profile & endothelial function also in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Single center randomized double blind placebo controlled trial with 132 renal transplant recipients randomized to receive either 2.6 g of marine n‐3 FAs or 3 g olive oil (control) per day for 44 weeks. The study drugs were given in addition to standard care, including triple immunosuppression with prednisolone, mycophenolate & in the majority of patients tacrolimus (n=120). Two thirds of patients received statin therapy (n=84). Study measurements were performed at baseline (8 weeks post‐transplant) & after 44 weeks (one year after transplantation). Measurements included brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD), as a measure of endothelial function, & lipid profiles obtained from fasting blood samples. RESULTS: We found a greater improvement in FMD during follow‐up in the marine n‐3 FA group compared with controls (intention‐to‐treat [ITT] population: 0.076 0.14mmvs 0.0260.09 mm, p=0.03). Plasma triglyceride reduction was more pronounced in the marine n‐3 FA group compared with placebo (ITT:‐0.4560.84 g/dL vs‐0.0960.87 g/dL, p=0.01). The triglyceride lowering effect was still present & statistically significant, but slightly weaker in patients on statin therapy compared with nonstatin users. Marine n‐3 FA supplementation had no effect on plasma total, HDL or LDL cholesterol. Post hoc analyses showed that a triglyceride lowering effect was mainly observed in patients who achieved plasma phospholipid marine n‐3 FA levels≥ 5.0 wt%, while improvement of FMD≥ 0.2mmwas, in the majority of cases, observed in patients with even higher plasma phospholipid marine n‐3 FA levels (≥ 10.0 wt%). CONCLUSIONS: Marine n‐3 FA supplementation improved endothelial function & reduced plasma triglycerides. Whether these beneficial effects could lead to less cardiovascular events, warrants larger clinical trials.