Scope
This study was conducted to determine the effects of omega‐3 fatty acid plus vitamin E supplementation on subjective global assessment (SGA) score and metabolic profiles in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients.
Methods and results
This randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted among 120 chronic HD patients. Participants were randomly divided into four groups to receive: (i) 1250 mg/day omega‐3 fatty acid containing 600 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 300 mg docosahexaenoic acid + vitamin E placebo (n = 30), (ii) 400 IU/day vitamin E + omega‐3 fatty acids placebo (n = 30), (iii) 1250 mg omega‐3 fatty acids/day + 400 IU/day vitamin E (n = 30), and (iv) omega‐3 fatty acids placebo + vitamin E placebo (n = 30) for 12 wk. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 12‐wk intervention to measure metabolic profiles. Patients who received combined omega‐3 fatty acids and vitamin E supplements compared with vitamin E, omega‐3 fatty acids, and placebo had significantly decreased SGA score (p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.01), serum insulin levels (p = 0.001), homeostasis model of assessment insulin resistance (p = 0.002), and improved quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (p = 0.006).
Conclusion
Omega‐3 fatty acids plus vitamin E supplementation for 12 wk among HD patients had beneficial effects on SGA score and metabolic profiles.