Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Serum Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress in Pediatric Patients on Regular Hemodialysis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study

Objective We sought to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on serum lipid profile and oxidative stress markers in pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease on regular hemodialysis (HD). Design This study was a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted on 49 pediatric patients on regular HD for at least 6 months. Intervention Patients were randomly divided into either omega-3 group (n = 25) who received 1-g oral omega-3 capsule once daily for 16 weeks or placebo group (n = 24) who received 1-g matching oral placebo capsule once daily for 16 weeks. Main Outcome Measure Lipid profile markers including: total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and oxidative stress markers including the following: malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were measured at baseline and after 16 weeks of supplementation. Results By the end of the study, children in omega-3 group showed a highly significant reduction in total cholesterol and a highly significant increase in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels. Conclusion The administration of omega-3 has a beneficial effect on serum lipid profile and oxidative stress in children undergoing HD.