Dietary lipid modification of renal disorders and ether phospholipid metabolism.

The formation of arachidonic acid derived eicosanoids, including thromboxane A2 and leukotriene B4, as well as platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-glycerophosphocholine), has been implicated in various renal pathophysiologies. Alteration of the fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids in platelets, the glomerulus, and inflammatory cells, and of 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-glycerophosphocholine (platelet-activating factor precursor) can be attained by dietary lipid modifications (e.g., consumption of fish oil containing n - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids). These changes have been associated with an attenuation in renal disease progression and modifications in the synthesis and actions-interactions of eicosanoids, cytokines, and platelet-activating factors.