Chronic Kidney Disease, Hypertriglyceridemia
Conditions
Keywords
CKD, hypertriglyceridemia, Fatty Acid Supplementation, Children, Omega-3
Brief summary
Children with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are at very high risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hyper-lipidemia, a traditional risk factor for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), occurs early in the progression of kidney failure; timely identification and intervention is prudent. Currently, there is no known effective therapy for hypertriglyceridemia, the most common lipid abnormality. n-3FA, in doses ranging from 2-6 g/day have effectively lowered elevated triglyceride (TG) levels by 20-50% in a variety of adult populations; however, their use in children with CKD has not been tested in a randomized controlled fashion. This study will provide important information on the safety, efficacy and tolerance of n-3FA in lowering elevated TG levels in children and adolescents with CKD.
Detailed description
Following counseling on dietary and lifestyle changes to lower triglyceride levels, and a period of applying these modifications, children will be assigned in a random fashion to take either fish oil supplements or a placebo (soybean/corn oil) for 8 weeks. After this 8-week treatment period, children will not take a supplement for 4 weeks and then will be assigned the alternate product (fish oil or placebo) for another 8 weeks. Our main interest is to see whether there is a larger decrease in triglyceride levels after taking the fish oil supplement compared to the placebo. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether omega-3 fatty acid supplements, given at therapeutic dosages over an 8-week period, significantly decrease elevated serum TG in children with CKD; The secondary objectives of this study are: i. To evaluate the effect of n-3 fatty acid supplements on total-, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol; ii. To determine whether n-3 fatty acid supplements are well tolerated by our study participants; and iii. To test whether TG-lowering effects are sustained up to 4 weeks after stopping supplements.
Interventions
Children will be prescribed 1600-1800 mg EPA + DHA per m2 Body Surface Area, to a maximum of the upper limit of the age-appropriate range recommended by Health Canada. Each n-3FA gel capsule (1000 mg) will contain 400 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA derived from the oil of wild anchovies and sardines. A smaller gel capsule (500 mg; 200 mg EPA + 100 mg DHA) will be available for children unable to swallow large solid medication and a flavored liquid formulation, containing a similar proportion of EPA + DHA (2200 mg fish oil concentrate from anchovies and sardines, 750 mg EPA, 375 mg DHA per ½ teaspoon), will be available for use in toddlers and older children unable to swallow gel capsules.
The placebo, identical in opaque appearance and citrus-flavored taste, will contain a 50:50 blend of soybean and corn oil for both gel capsule (2 sizes) and liquid formulations.
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* age at randomization: 2.0-17.4 years old (stratified by age: 2-8 yr, 9-13 yr, 14-17.4 yr) * CKD stages 3 or 4 (GFR:15-59 ml/min/1.73 m2) * established and stable in the CKD 3 and 4 Program for a minimum of 3 months * fasting serum TG 95th percentile for age and gender 2 on more than or equal to 2 occasions
Exclusion criteria
* allergy to fish, corn, soybean * anti-coagulant or anti-platelet drugs (heparin, warfarin, therapeutic NSAIDs) or herbal products (ginko, garlic, feverfew, ginger and ginseng) known to prolong bleeding * currently undergoing treatment for dyslipidemia * use of dietary supplements containing n-3FA * children with Nephrotic Syndrome, on dialysis, or transplanted * planned surgery, dialysis or transplantation within the next 7 months * children with diabetes * bleeding and clotting disorders: * thrombocytopenia (platelet count \<100 x 109/L), including ITP, TTP * Von Willebrands disease * hemophilia * thrombophilia * vitamin K deficiency * severe liver disease * unstable patients with shock which can lead to DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) * active Henoch Schonlein Purpura * hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Rendu-Osler-Weber disease)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Fasting Blood Lipid Profiles(TG levels) | Week 1,4,12,16,24 and 28 |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Platelet aggregation | Week 1,4,12,16,24 and 28 | — |
| CBC | Week 1,4,12,16,24 and 28 | — |
| Cholesterol Levels (LDL and HDL) | Week 1,4,12,16,24 and 28 | — |
| Tolerability of n-3 fatty acid supplements by our participants | Week 1,4,12,16,24 and 28 | Sustainability of TG-lowering effects up to 4 weeks after stopping supplements |
Countries
Canada