Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Diabetic Nephropathy - Systematic Review

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy is a major microvascular complication in patients with diabetes mellitus and the major global cause of end-stage chronic kidney disease. Several studies have recently presented the beneficial effects of n-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with diabetic nephropathy, many of which focus on their metabolic profiles. Therefore, this study aims to increase the understanding of the relationship between diabetic nephropathy and n-3 fatty acid supplementation, contributing to the growing demand for complementary strategies in the management of this disease. To achieve this goal, a systematic review was conducted that selected the main characteristics of the essays that relate these approaches. The consumption of n-3 fatty acid, regardless of its origin is from plant, animal or formula origin, is directly related to the improvement of renal function in rodents and also in human subjects with diabetic nephropathy; it also plays an important role in preventing the installation of this condition.