The effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on leukotriene B4 and leukotriene B5 production from stimulated neutrophil granulocytes in patients with chronic kidney disease

The proinflammatory leukotriene B-4 (LTB4) may be of importance in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We investigated whether n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) decrease LTB4 and increase the formation of the less inflammatory leukotriene B-5 (LTB5) in patients with CKD. Fifty-six patients with CKD stage 2-5 were randomised to 2.4 g n-3 PUFA or olive oil for 8 weeks. Compared to controls, n-3 PUFA significantly decreased release of LTB4 (p < 0.001) and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) (p < 0.01) and significantly increased release of LTB5 (p < 0.001) and 5-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (5-HEPE) (p < 0.001) from stimulated neutrophil granulocytes. Kidney function evaluated by creatinine clearance and proteinuria did not improve. In conclusion, n-3 PUFA supplementation for 8 weeks in patients with CKD stage 2-5 significantly decreased LTB4 and 5-HETE and significantly increased LTB5 and 5-HEPE. No effect was seen on kidney function. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.