This study was performed to investigate the effect of n-3 fatty acids and dietary protein levels on renal function. Fifteen-month old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 diet groups. Two-month old rats were used as a control group. The experimental diets contained either a% or 25% casein and lipid levels of the diets were 20% by weight. For the control group, the lipid was composed of beef tallow and corn oil on a 1:1 basis, and fish oil was comprised 75% of the fat mixture for the fish oil group. Rats were fed the diets ad libitum for 8 weeks. GFR and urinary protein excretion were higher in high protein groups, while fish oil exhibited no effects. Renal medulla TXB$_2$and PGE$_2$ concentrations tended to be higher in high protein groups and lower in fish oil groups. Light microscopic examinations showed that glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, tubular cast, interstitial inflammation and interstitial fibrosis fended to be higher in aged rats and in high protein groups and lower in fish oil groups. Serum levels of total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol were higher in aged rats and lower in fish oil groups while serum HDL-cholesterol level was higher in young rats and in fish oil groups. However, dietary protein level had no effect on serum lipid levels. Serum TBARS concentration was higher in aged rats and in fish oil groups. In conclusion, fish oil caused changes in serum lipid concentrations and eicosanoids metabolism. The effect of fish oil on renal function was less obvious than dietary protein. However, fish oil seemed to be effective in lessening deterioration of renal function due to aging and/or high protein diets through changes in lipid and eicosanoids metabolism.