Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on rectal mucosal cell proliferation in subjects at risk for colon cancer.
The effects of 12 weeks of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on rectal mucosal proliferation were assessed with [3H]thymidine autoradiography in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 20 patients with sporadic adenomatous colorectal polyps. In the group of 10 that received fish oil containing eicosapentaenoic acid (4.1 g/day) and docosahexaenoic acid (3.6 g/day), the mean percentage of replicative "S"-phase cells in the upper part of colonic crypts (considered a reliable marker of colon cancer risk) significantly dropped from the baseline level after only 2 weeks of treatment and remained lower throughout the study period; no change in upper-crypt labeling was observed in the 10 placebo patients. Rectal mucosal eicosapentaenoic acid content increased in fish oil patients, whereas arachidonic acid levels decreased. The fish oil-induced kinetic changes represent contraction of the proliferative compartment to the levels of a low-risk population and may be related to omega-3 fatty acid effects on the arachidonic prostaglandin pathway. In this short-term trial, fish oil appeared to exert a rapid effect that may protect high-risk subjects from colon cancer.
Anti
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
Marra
G
G
Armelao
F
F
Bartoli
G M
GM
Ficarelli
R
R
Percesepe
A
A
De Vitis
I
I
Maria
G
G
Sofo
L
L
Rapaccini
G L
GL
D001345:Autoradiography; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000178:diet therapy*; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology*; D016196:S Phase / Q000187:drug effects
D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid