title: Rapid incorporation of ω-3 fatty acids into colonic tissue after oral supplementation in patients with colorectal cancer: a randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the study was to examine whether a preoperative supplement with ω-3 fatty acids (FAs) leads to their incorporation into colonic tissue in patients scheduled for colorectal cancer surgery. This would be of interest because ω-3 FAs have potential beneficial (local) immunological effects that might benefit these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized, double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled, single-center intervention trial, patients referred for elective colorectal cancer surgery received either an ω-3 FA-enriched oral nutrition supplement (ONS) (200 mL twice daily) providing 2.0 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 1.0 g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day or a standard ONS for 7 days before surgery. Tissue samples from healthy colonic tissue (mucosa and muscular layer) were obtained during surgery, and tissue fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EPA was significantly higher in colonic mucosa (P = .001) and in the colonic muscular layer (P = .004) in the ω-3 FA group compared with controls. Patients in the ω-3 FA group also tended to have higher docosapentaenoic acid and DHA levels in colonic tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPA is incorporated rapidly into colonic mucosa and colonic muscular layer in patients given 3 g of ω-3 FA daily for 7 days before surgery for colorectal cancer. This may lead to potential beneficially effects on (local) immune function, which might benefit these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark lss@rn.dk.
authors.forename: Lone Schmidt
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Sorensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Centre for Nutrition and Bowel Disease, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Henrik Hojgaard
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg; Denmark.
authors.forename: Inge Valbak
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Aardestrup
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Thorlacius-Ussing
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindorff-Larsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg; Denmark.
authors.forename: Erik Berg
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Human Development and Health Academic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, and National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Philip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Calder
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; C026219:docosapentaenoic acid
keywords: abdominal surgery; arachidonic acid; colon; fish oil; immunomodulation; ω-3 fatty acids