4.7 Review

The Involvement of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Apoptosis Mechanisms and Their Implications in Cancer

Journal

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411691

Keywords

polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); apoptosis; cancer

Ask authors/readers for more resources

Cancer is a global public health issue with a poor prognosis despite advancements in detection and treatment. The role of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in apoptosis in cancer is controversial, with some studies supporting their activation and others suggesting inhibition. This review presents diverse molecular mechanisms evidence in both in vitro and in vivo models to clarify the controversial involvement of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs in apoptosis mechanisms in cancer.
Cancer is a significant global public health issue and, despite advancements in detection and treatment, the prognosis remains poor. Cancer is a complex disease characterized by various hallmarks, including dysregulation in apoptotic cell death pathways. Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process that efficiently eliminates damaged cells. Several studies have indicated the involvement of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in apoptosis, including omega-3 PUFAs such as alpha-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid. However, the role of omega-6 PUFAs, such as linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid, in apoptosis is controversial, with some studies supporting their activation of apoptosis and others suggesting inhibition. These PUFAs are essential fatty acids, and Western populations today have a high consumption rate of omega-6 to omega-3 PUFAs. This review focuses on presenting the diverse molecular mechanisms evidence in both in vitro and in vivo models, to help clarify the controversial involvement of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs in apoptosis mechanisms in cancer.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.7
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available