Effect of Over-the-Counter Fish-Oil Administration on Plasma Lp(a) Levels in an End-Stage Renal Disease Population

Objective This study sought to examine the effect of n-3 supplementation on lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Design The present study was conducted using a double-blind, permuted-randomized, controlled experimental protocol. Setting This study took place at the Central Texas Nephrology Associates Dialysis Clinic (Waco, TX). Patients Patients with ESRD and associated with the Central Texas Nephrology Associates who were undergoing chronic hemodialysis participated in this study. Intervention Patients with ESRD were followed prospectively while receiving supplements of fish oil (treatment, eicosapentaenoic acid, 0.96 g/day, and docosahexaenoic acid, 0.6 g/day) or corn oil (control subjects) for 6 months. After a 12-hour fast, participants donated 12 mL of blood for analysis of Lp(a) at baseline and at 6 months. Main Outcome Measure The comparison of Lp(a) concentration by group at 6 months was the primary outcome measure of the study. Results Our study suggests that fish-oil supplementation did not decrease levels of Lp(a) ( P = .66), compared with control subjects. Conclusion We failed to show a significant effect of 6 months of over-the-counter fish-oil supplementation on Lp(a) status in an ESRD population, although results from this study support findings from other studies suggesting that African Americans have higher Lp(a) concentrations than persons of Caucasian decent.