n-3 Fatty acids and their role in nephrologic practice

During the past year, a newly reported clinical trial has strengthened the argument for recommending daily treatment with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty ac ids in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis in the world) who are at high risk for progressi on of renal disease. Studies are underway that involve a combination of cyc losporine A, a commonly prescribed immunosuppressive agent in solid-organ t ransplantation, with a high-potency n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid to reduc e cyclosporine toxicity. Two studies reported during the past year show pro mise that dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids will substantially decrease vascular access graft thrombosis in patients receiv ing maintenance hemodialysis, and may reduce hypercalciuria in patients who suffer from kidney stones. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 10:639-642. (C) 200 1 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.