title: High-dose eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation reduces bone resorption in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors: a pilot study.
abstract: Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors are living longer; however, a common class of drugs, aromatase inhibitors (AI), depletes estrogen levels, promotes bone loss, and heightens fracture risk. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may offset AI effects to bone because of the known effects on cellular processes of bone turnover. Therefore, we hypothesized that 4 g of EPA and DHA daily for 3 mo would decrease bone turnover in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on AI therapy in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled pilot study that included 38 women. At baseline and 3 mo, serum fatty acids, bone turnover, and inflammatory markers were analyzed. Serum EPA and DHA, total and long-chain (LC) omega (n)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased, whereas arachidonic acid, total and LC n-6 PUFA, and the LC n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio decreased compared to placebo (all P < .05). Bone resorption was inhibited in the fish oil responders compared to placebo (P < .05). Inflammatory markers were not altered. This short-term, high-dose fish oil supplementation study's findings demonstrate that fish oil can reduce bone resorption; however, longer-term studies are needed to assess bone density preservation and to explore mechanistic pathways in this population at high risk for bone loss.
authors.affiliation: a Eastern Michigan University, Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA, and Center on Aging, University of Connecticut , Farmington , Connecticut , USA.
authors.forename: Heather L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Hutchins-Wiese
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Picho
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tannenbaum
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Claffey
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kenny
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D002149:Energy Intake; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017698:Postmenopause; D017741:Survivors
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005395:Fish Oils; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid