Effects of tuna fish oil on hyperlipidemia and proteinuria in childhood nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to determine whether tuna fish oil decreased hyperlipidemia and proteinuria in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Five boys were supplemented with both 4 grams of tuna fish oil and placebo in a randomized order for 8 weeks of each treatment separated by 6-week washout period. The results showed no statistically significant difference in serum creatinine, triglyceride, cholesterol, urine protein and creatinine clearance between fish oil supplemented group and placebo group. Small sample size, low dosage, short duration of supplementation and wash-out period are among the important limitations in this study. Further study should be performed to identify the effects of fish oil on this entity in nephrotic syndrome.