Go Fish: Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Diabetes-Related Kidney Disease

Diabetes is the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease in the United States. Half of patients with diabetes develop kidney disease. The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids have been shown in animal models of kidney injury. Mechanistic studies of omega-3 fatty acid supplements support biological plausibility: omega-3 supplements have been shown to improve vascular reactivity, lower oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and have beneficial effects on the metabolism of eicosanoids favoring synthesis of vasodilatory prostaglandins and thromboxanes. However, in spite of overwhelming evidence for a potential benefit of dietary omega-3 fatty acids at preventing or slowing progression of kidney disease for adults with NIDDM, clinical trials providing evidence to support recommendations of supplementation are lacking.

The current recommendation for omega-3 intake for adults, one gram/day of DHA+EPA, is based on evidence for cardiovascular disease risk (CVD) reduction. Whether omega-3 fatty acid prevents or slows progression of diabetic kidney disease, whether the current recommended dose is adequate to modify disease, or whether a higher dose should be recommended, needs to be determined.

In this setting, we propose to conduct a randomized placebo-controlled cross-over clinical trial to determine the effects of a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (4.0 g/day) compared with placebo on urine protein excretion and biomarkers of kidney injury and function in adults with diabetes and proteinuria.

Inclusion criteria

• Participants have a diagnosis of diabetes (either oral medication or diet controlled)
• Have an average systolic blood pressure (SBP) <150 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <90 mmHg
• Have quantified proteinuria -- urine albumin/creatinine ratio of > 17 mg/g (men) and >25 mg/g (women) (i.e. at least microalbuminuria).
• Participants must be on stable doses of antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, and lipid lowering medications for a minimum of two months prior to randomization. Participants must agree to stay on stable doses of diabetes, antihypertensive and lipid medication for the duration of the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Major exclusion criteria will be poorly controlled diabetes (Hemoglobin A1c >9%)
• Use of insulin
• Use of fish oil supplements or are unwilling to stop fish oil supplements one month prior to randomization and refrain from the supplements during the study
• Stage 4 or stage 5 CKD or a screening urine protein/creatinine ratio of >2.5.