Development of Kidney Transplant Fibrosis Is Inversely Associated With Plasma Marine Fatty Acid Level

Objective(s): We assessed associations between plasma levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and degree of inflammation and interstitial fibrosis in transplanted kidneys.

Design: The design of the study was single center cohort study.

Subjects: A study population of 156 patients who received a kidney transplant at Oslo University Hospital during 2010.

Main outcome measure: Kidney transplant biopsies were obtained at 2 months and 1 year after transplantation. Degree of inflammation and interstitial fibrosis in the cortex of transplanted kidneys were estimated semi-quantitatively. Plasma phospholipid fatty acids levels were measured in a stable phase 2 months posttransplant. We used multivariate linear regression to assess associations between plasma levels of PUFAs and degree of inflammation and interstitial fibrosis at 2 months and 1 year postoperatively and change in degree of interstitial fibrosis during the first year after transplantation, adjusting for inflammation and fibrosis risk factors.

Results: Higher plasma marine n-3 PUFA levels were associated with less development of interstitial fibrosis in the kidney transplant (unstandardized β-coefficient -1.12, standardized β-coefficient -0.18, P = .03) during the first year after transplantation. Plasma levels of alpha linoleic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid were not associated with development of interstitial fibrosis. No associations were found between plasma levels of PUFAs and inflammation inside fibrotic areas or outside fibrotic areas in the kidney transplant at neither 2 months nor 1 year postoperatively. Linolenic acid levels in plasma were positively associated with change in renal function during the first year after transplantation.

Conclusion: The inverse association between plasma marine n-3 PUFA levels and development of interstitial fibrosis during the first year after kidney transplantation suggests that marine fatty acid consumption might halt progression of fibrosis.