Key Findings
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of flaxseed oil, a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid on serum markers of bone formation and resorption in hemodialysis patients. Bone is formed by osteoblasts while osteoclasts induce bone resorption. N- telopeptide, or N-terminal telopeptide, is mobilized from bone by osteoclasts. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of flaxseed oil, a rich source of plant omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, on serum markers of bone formation and resorption in hemodialysis patients. In this randomized controlled trial, 34 hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to either the flaxseed oil or the control group. The patients in the flaxseed oil group received 6 g/d of flaxseed oil for 8 weeks, whereas the control group received 6 g/d of medium chain triglycerides oil. In this study, daily consumption of 6 g of flaxseed oil, a rich source of plant omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, significantly reduced serum N-telopeptide concentration up to 17% during 8 weeks. In addition, there were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes of serum calcium, phosphorus, and PTH. The reduction of serum N-telopeptide in hemodialysis patients receiving flaxseed oil was not due to the changes in serum calcium, phosphorus, and PTH during the study period. One possible mechanism on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on serum N-telopeptide is that these fatty acids can lower the osteoclastic activity by reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines. Another mechanism by which omega-3 fatty acids can affect bone resorption is a decrease in the production of prostaglandin E2.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder is a common complication in hemodialysis patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of flaxseed oil, a rich source of plant omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, on serum markers of bone formation and resorption in hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 34 hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to either the flaxseed oil or the control group. The patients in the flaxseed oil group received 6 g/d of flaxseed oil for 8 weeks, whereas the control group received 6 g/d of medium chain triglycerides oil. At baseline and the end of the 8th week, 7 mL of blood was obtained from each patient after a 12- to 14-hour fast and serum concentrations of osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin, N-telopeptide, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand were measured. RESULTS: Serum N-telopeptide concentration decreased significantly up to 17% in the flaxseed oil group at the end of week 8, as compared to baseline (P < .01), and the reduction was significant in comparison with the control group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the mean changes of serum osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin, or receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that daily consumption of 6 g/d of flaxseed oil may reduce bone resorption in hemodialysis patients.
Link to Full Text