Aspirin and Eicosapentaenoic Acid May Arrest Progressive IgA Nephropathy: A Potential Alternative to

Junichi Hirahashi1, Norio Hanafusa, Takehiko Wada

  • 1Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) A nephropathy is a prevalent form of primary glomerulonephritis, which leads to end-stage renal failure in a significant proportion of patients. Immunotherapy, including steroid use, is widely used to induce disease remission; however, it can cause serious side effects. We herein report 3 cases of progressive IgA nephropathy and their successful treatment with a combination of aspirin and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) without the use of steroids. The precise mechanism responsible for the combination therapy is still unknown; however, aspirin may potentiate the production of anti-inflammatory lipid mediators derived from EPA. Further clinical trials are required to substantiate this treatment regimen.

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