Fish Oil Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Fish Oil, including details on omega-3, dosage, health benefits, diet.

Effects of fish oil supplementation on kidney transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.

Tatsioni A, Chung M, Sun Y, Kupelnick B, Lichtenstein AH, Perrone R, Chew P, Lau J, Bonis PA

Tufts-New England Medical Center, Evidence-Based Practice Center, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, 750 Washington Street, Box 63, Boston, MA 0211, USA.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on various kidney transplant-related outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed of published randomized, controlled trials (RCT). There were 16 kidney transplant RCT with a total of 812 patients. All trials evaluated fish oil with dosages that ranged from 1.2 to 5.4 g/d. No consistent benefits were observed for any outcome with the exception of a modest benefit on triglycerides. A meta-analysis of rejection episodes found no significant benefit on either early (<6 mo posttransplantation) or late episodes. The overall relative risk of having at least one rejection episode in those who received fish oil was 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.74 to 1.10) in four studies with a follow-up of 1 yr. A meta-analysis of eight RCT of graft survival found no significant benefit (relative risk 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.96 to 1.05). The available data (mostly derived from older studies with important methodologic limitations) do not demonstrate a consistent, clinically important benefit of fish oil in kidney transplantation.

Published 21 July 2005 in J Am Soc Nephrol, 16(8): 2462-70.
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