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

Abstract

The proinflammatory leukotriene B₄ (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 B₅ (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.