Fish Oil and HDL Function in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Patients who receive maintenance hemodialysis have a very high risk of cardiovascular disease, and standard cholesterol-lowering treatments such as statins have not been shown to reduce cardiovascular events in this group. A recent clinical trial (PISCES) found that high-dose omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) reduced cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients, but the reason for this benefit is not understood. One possible explanation is that, in kidney failure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) no longer works normally. This study investigates whether omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improves the function of HDL in people on maintenance hemodialysis. Forty adults on maintenance hemodialysis will take part. Each participant receives fish oil (4 g per day) for 8 weeks and also has an 8-week period without supplementation; participants are randomly assigned to the order of these two periods (crossover design), for a total of 16 weeks each. The main measure is cholesterol efflux capacity, a laboratory test of how well HDL removes cholesterol from cells. The study also examines other markers of HDL quality. This is an exploratory, mechanistic study. Its aim is to determine whether omega-3 fatty acids change HDL function and to inform the design of larger future trials.

This description comes directly from the study's public registry record.

Janosch Niknam-Saeidi, MD  ·  janosch.niknamsaeidi@meduniwien.ac.at

Manfred Hecking, MD, PhD  ·  manfred.hecking@meduniwien.ac.at

Always discuss trial participation with your own doctor first.

Save your interest here for when the public record changes — results posted, or the study's status changes. Email alerts for this study aren't switched on yet.

We keep this only about this public record, and never email you without alerts being switched on. Want it removed at any time? Email hello@eichor.com. Never medical advice. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.