The Effect of Oral Administration of PUFAs on the Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Objective: Gastric cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related mortality and the fifth most common cancer globally. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are considered as functional ingredients that improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of PUFAs administration on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Methods: This study was designed as a randomized, double-blind trial. Thirty-four newly diagnosed patients with gastric cancer were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n = 17) and case group (n =17). Both groups received the same dose (75 mg/m(2)) of cisplatin. Control group received cisplatin plus placebo and the case group received cisplatin plus PUFAs [3600 mg/day, for three courses (each course included 3 weeks)]. The mRNA and protein expression of MMPs determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively. Results: The relative gene expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9 was significantly lower in case group than control. The protein expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9 was significantly lower in case group than control. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, PUFAs reduced the expression of MMPs in gastric cancer cells. It seems that PUFAs may have an inhibitory effect on invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells.