Effects of omega-3 administration on homocysteine serum concentration in renal transplant recipient.

Background: it has been shown that serum total homocysteine (hc) is a risk factor for vascular disease which characterizes endothelial damage in the general and in the end-stage renal disease (esrd) population as well. whether n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease homocysteine (hcy) level has been a subject of controversy. methods: renal transplant patients were randomized in 2 groups and received 6 months of dietary supplementation with 6 g/day of fish oil or placebo. homocysteine level and total cholesterol level were measured. results: in 40 renal transplant recipients, increase in homocysteine level was greater after fish oil administration but not significantly, total cholesterol was decreased significantly. conclusion: based on these data omega3 fatty acids supplementation doesn’t decrease serum homocysteine in renal transplant recipients but decreases total cholesterol level.