title: Fish oil supplementation improves neutrophil function during cancer chemotherapy.
abstract: Cancer chemotherapy is associated with neutropenia and impaired neutrophil function. This study aimed to investigate whether supplementation with low dose fish oil (FO), providing n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy after surgical tumor (mainly gastrointestinal) removal is able to improve the function of blood neutrophils. Patients (n = 38) receiving chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and leucovorin) were randomized into two groups; one group (control) did not receive a supplement, while the other group (FO) received 2 g FO/day for 8 weeks; the FO provided 0.3 g eicosapentaenoic acid plus 0.4 g docosahexaenoic acid per day. Patients in the control group lost an average of 2.5 kg of weight over the 8 weeks of the study. The number of blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMNC), mainly neutrophils, and their functions (phagocytosis and hydrogen peroxide production) decreased in the control group (average decreases of approximately 30, 45 and 17%, respectively). FO prevented these decreases and actually increased body weight (average of 1.7 kg weight gain; p < 0.002 vs. control group), PMNC number (average 29% increase), phagocytosis (average 14% increase) and superoxide production (average 28% increase). FO may be useful in preventing chemotherapy-induced decline in neutrophil number and function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Biological Sciences Building, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR 81540-990, Brazil. sandrobonatto@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Sandro J R
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bonatto
authors.forename: Heloisa H P
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Everson A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pequito
authors.forename: Fabiola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iagher
authors.forename: Isabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: Katya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Naliwaiko
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kryczyk
authors.forename: Gleisson A P
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Repka
authors.forename: Luciano V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Sabóia
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fukujima
authors.forename: Philip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.forename: Luiz C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D015430:Weight Gain; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005395:Fish Oils; D013481:Superoxides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil