n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and colon cancer prevention.
The incidence of colon cancer in industrialised countries has increased since the early 1970s. It is estimated that more than one-third of cases are associated with factors related to a Western diet. Both the type and amount of dietary fats consumed have been implicated in colon cancer aetiology. Recent studies have demonstrated that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), commonly found in fish oil (FO), could prevent colon cancer development. Evidences show that n-3 PUFAs act at different stages of cancer development and through several mechanisms including the modulation of arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandin synthesis, and Ras protein and protein kinase C expression and activity. As a result, n-3 PUFAs limit tumour cell proliferation, increase apoptotic potential along the crypt axis, promote cell differentiation and possibly limit angiogenesis. The modulatory actions of n-3 PUFAs on the immune system and their anti-inflammatory effects might also play a role in reducing colon carcinogenesis. There remains, nevertheless, some ambiguity over the safety of n-3 PUFAs with respect to secondary tumour formation. However, it appears that n-3 PUFAs may be of use in colon cancer prevention.
Roynette
Catherine E
CE
Clinical Nutrition Unit, University Hospital of Geneva, 24 rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.
Calder
Philip C
PC
Dupertuis
Yves M
YM
Pichard
Claude
C
D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002100:Cachexia; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000502:physiology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D015996:Survival Rate
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6