Influence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid sources on prostaglandin levels in mice.
Studies from this laboratory, employing a hairless mouse model, have indicated that a polyunsaturated fatty acid source rich in omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid (FA) inhibits ultraviolet (UV)-carcinogenic expression, when compared to that of diets containing predominantly n-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 FA is a poor substrate for cyclooxygenase, the rate-limiting step in prostaglandin (PG) synthesis--the latter, particularly PGE2, are known to influence tumor biology. Based upon this rationale, plasma and cutaneous PGE2 levels were determined from hairless mice fed diets containing either 4% or 12% corn or menhaden oil. After two weeks on the respective diets, plasma PGE2 levels of corn oil-fed animals were approximately 6-fold greater than those of the menhaden oil-fed groups. A similar response was found in the dermis. Although the relationship to carcinogenic expression is unknown, dietary n-3 FA content can have a pronounced effect upon PGE2 levels and possesses the potential for influencing other immunomodulators.
Photobiology Laboratory, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Houston, Texas.
C D
CD
Henderson
H S
HS
Black
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JE
Wolf
D000818:Animals; D003314:Corn Oil / Q000494:pharmacology; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008812:Mice, Hairless / Q000528:radiation effects; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D004041:Dietary Fats; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005395:Fish Oils; C033266:Menhaden oil; D003314:Corn Oil; D015232:Dinoprostone