The effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet levels of patients with ESRD condition undergoing dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant inflammation may boost the cardiovascular complications in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Omega-3 fatty acids may have certain health benefits in HD patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HB) level and platelet (PLT) counts of HD patients.

METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on HD patients at a private dialysis center in Rasht, Iran. Three omega-3 fatty acid supplement capsules (3 g/d) were administered daily for two months to patients in the intervention group (n = 55). The control group (n = 60) were given three placebo capsules containing medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, similar to the supplemental dose of the intervention group at the same period. Three parameters of HCT, HB and PLT were measured at baseline and after the intervention.

RESULTS: The PLT count decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group (173.38 ± 74.76 vs. 227.68 ± 86.58 103 /mm3 , F = 4.83, P = 0.03). No significant change was found on the levels of HCT and HB parameters between the two groups after the intervention.

CONCLUSION: Omega-3 supplementation in HD patients may decrease the risk of forming blood clots in the blood vessels. Further studies are warranted.