Effect of Hypertriglyceridemia Correction by Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Peritoneal Transport in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Lipid abnormalities, both hypercholesterolemia and particularly hypertriglyceridemia (hyperTg), are common in long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPO) patients. Hyperviscosity and rheological alterations have been proposed as major hemodynamic problems in hyperTg patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a hyperTg correction by employing omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3) affects peritoneal transport. Six hyperTg (>700 mg/dL) CAPO patients were treated with 2–3 g/day of ω-3 until normal Tg values were achieved. The assessment of peritoneal dialysis efficacy was performed by evaluating the peritoneal equilibration test (PET) before ω-3 supplementation, when normal Tg levels were reached, and 3 weeks after stopping therapy when hyperTg returned. When normal Tg levels were reached, a small but significant Improvement of urea and creatinine O/P was noted: 0.85±0.05 versus 0.93±0.03 (p<0.05) and 0.78±0.03 versus 0.86±0.05 (p<0.05), respectively, with negative correlation between O/P of urea and Tg. These preliminary data demonstrate that a hyperTg correction with ω-3 may Induce an Increase In peritoneal transport of small molecules in CAPO.