Possible Interaction: Cyclosporine and Fish Oils

“BACKGROUND Dietary supplementation with fish oil has been said to improve renal function in cyclosporin A (CsA)-treated subjects.”

“Experimental and clinical data suggest that dietary supplementation with fish oil may lessen cyclosporine nephrotoxicity, possibly by lowering renal thromboxane (Tx) production.”

“ Fish oil , rich in omega‐3 (n‐3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), has been reported to attenuate nephrotoxicity induced by ciclosporin (cyclosporine A).”

“… cyclosporine (37.4 micromol [45 mg]/kg/day) induced nephrotoxicity in rats either by the administration, i) of OKY-046, a thromboxane A(2)…, and H(1)histaminergic receptors and iii) of nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, or by diet supplementation either with evening primrose oil or fish oil.”

“Mice given CsA and fish oil showed increased liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, incorporation of DHA, and evidence of oxidized fatty acids compared to control animals.”

“A dose of CsA incapable of blunting DTH when injected in OO was suppressive when given in FO.”

“Administration of as little as 0.05 ml of FO vehicle potentiated the suppressive action of CsA. In addition, nonconcurrent dietary supplementation of FO in animals receiving CsA caused an increase in the immunosuppressive action of CsA in DTH.”

“FO alone reduced DTH as compared with OO, but was far less effective than CsA plus FO.”

“In fact, concurrent FO administration with CsA actually enhances immunosuppression.”

“These studies indicate that concurrent administration of CsA and FO potentiates the activity of CsA and thus increases its therapeutic index.”

“Thus, CsA plus FO is potentially a safe, potent antirejection therapy worthy of clinical testing, especially insofar as FO prevents CsA-induced acute nephrotoxicity in the rodent.”