Omega 3 Fatty Acids Effect on the Vascular Calcification Biomarkers Fetuin A and Osteoprotegerin in Hemodialysis Patients.

Abstract Chronic Renal failure patients on dialysis are at a high risk of death due to vascular calcification (VC). This study aimed at investigating the effect of omega3- fatty acids on the vascular calcification biomarkers fetuin-A and Osteoprotegerin (OPG) in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) who are undergoing hemodialysis. This prospective, open-label, controlled, parallel study included 60 hemodialysis patients who were randomized to receive either omega-3 fatty acids capsule along with their standard care of treatment (omega-3 group) or their standard care of treatment only (control group). Serum levels of fetuin-A, OPG, calcium, phosphorus, hemoglobin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (ALB), serum creatinine (SCr), and serum triglycerides (TG) were measured at baseline and after six months of intervention and follow-up of both groups. Significantly increased levels of fetuin-A and OPG (p<0.001) were observed in the omega-3 group six months after the intervention compared with the control group. Levels of calcium, phosphorous, hemoglobin, parathyroid hormone, BUN, albumin, SCr, and TG were not significantly changed in the omega-3 group or the control group after six months of intervention. Our study concluded that omega-3 may have a clinically beneficial effect in decreasing cardiovascular events by increasing the levels of the protective vascular calcification inhibitors fetuin-A and osteoprotegerin in chronic renal failure patients who are undergoing hemodialysis.