Effect of vitamins on the lipid profile of patients on regular hemodialysis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the lipid-lowering effect of vitamins compared to placebo and their short-term supplementation safety in patients on hemodialysis.

Material and methods: Eighty-four hemodialysis patients were randomly allocated to four therapeutic groups. Each group (n = 21) received one of the following treatments: vitamin C (200 mg), E (200 mg), D3 (50,000 IU) or placebo daily. Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) were measured before and following 3 months of vitamin therapy.

Results: LDL-c and total cholesterol levels as well as the ratios of LDL-c to HDL-c and cholesterol to HDL-c significantly decreased after vitamin C therapy. Triglyceride and the ratio of triglyceride to HDL-c significantly decreased following vitamin D3 therapy. HDL-c increased and the ratio of LDL-c to HDL-c decreased significantly after vitamin E therapy. No major side-effects were encountered during the 3 months' trial.

Conclusions: Short-term supplementary vitamins are safe and beneficial for treatment of lipid abnormalities in hemodialysis patients.