title: Unsaturated fatty acids differ between hepatic colorectal metastases and liver tissue without tumour in humans: results from a randomised controlled trial of intravenous eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mediators derived from the n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) arachidonic acid oxidation have been shown to have tumour promoting effects in experimental models, while n-3 PUFAs are thought to be protective. Here we report fatty acid concentrations in hepatic colorectal metastases compared to liver tissue without tumour in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with colorectal liver metastasis were randomized to receive a 72 h infusion of parenteral nutrition with or without n-3 PUFAs. Histological samples from liver metastases and liver tissue without tumour were obtained from 15 patients at the time of their subsequent liver resection (mean 8 days (range 4-12) post-infusion) and the fatty acid composition determined by gas chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in fatty acid composition between the two intervention groups. When data from all patients were combined, liver tissue without tumour had a higher content of both n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and a lower content of oleic acid and total n-9 fatty acids compared with tumour tissue (p<0.0001, 0.0002,<0.0001 and <0.0001, respectively). The n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was found to be higher in tumour tissue than tissue without tumour (p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hepatic colorectal adenocarcinoma metastases have a higher content of n-9 fatty acids and a lower content of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs than liver tissue without tumour.
authors: Department of Imaging, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW, United Kingdom. jastephenson@doctors.org.uk
authors: James A
authors: JA
authors: Stephenson
authors: Omer
authors: O
authors: Al-Taan
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Arshad
authors: Annette L
authors: AL
authors: West
authors: Philip C
authors: PC
authors: Calder
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Morgan
authors: Matthew S
authors: MS
authors: Metcalfe
authors: Ashley R
authors: AR
authors: Dennison
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000032:analysis; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid