title: Serum concentrations of fatty acids and colorectal adenoma risk: a case-control study in Japan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidemiologic studies of n-3 fatty acids (FAs) and risk of colorectal cancer have generated inconsistent results, and relations with precursor colorectal adenomas (CRA) have not been evaluated in detail. We here focused on possible associations of serum FAs with CRA in the Japanese population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a case-control study of 203 asymptomatic CRA cases (148 men, 55 women) and 179 healthy controls (67 men, 112 women) during 1997-2003 in Nagoya, Japan. Baseline information was obtained using a lifestyle questionnaire and serum FA levels were measured by gas chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A non-significant inverse association with CRA was observed for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) among women. Moreover, the concentrations of docosahexaenoeic acid (DHA), a major component of n-3 highly-unsaturated FAs (HUFAs), were significantly lower in cases in both sexes. In addition, serum concentrations of total FAs, saturated FAs (SFAs) and mono-unsaturated FAs (MUFAs) had strong positive links with CRA risk. In contrast, arachidonic acid (AA) and DHA were inversely related, with 66% and 59% risk reduction, respectively. Ratios of SFAs/n-3 PUFAs and SFAs/n-3 HUFAs exhibited significant positive relations with CRA risk but there was no clear link with n-6 PUFAs/n-3 PUFAs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest a promoting influence of SFAs and MUFAs along with a protective effect of DHA on CRA risk. However, further research is needed to investigate the observed discrepancy with the generally accepted roles of the AA cascade in carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghadimi
authors.forename: Kiyonori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuriki
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsuge
authors.forename: Emiru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Nahomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Imaeda
authors.forename: Sadao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Asuka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sawai
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takekuma
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hosono
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tokudome
authors.forename: Chiho
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Imaneh
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Esfandiary
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Shinkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tokudome
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000236:Adenoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004435:Eating; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D017747:Seafood; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid