Journal
CLINICAL NUTRITION
Volume 23, Issue 2, Pages 139-151Publisher
CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2003.07.005
Keywords
colon cancer; n-3 fatty acids; immuno-modulatory nutrition; prevention
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The incidence of colon cancer in industrialised countries has increased since the early 1970s. It is estimated that more than one-third of cases are associated with factors related to a Western diet. Both the type and amount of dietary fats consumed have been implicated in colon cancer aetiology. Recent studies have demonstrated that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), commonly found in fish oil (FO), could prevent colon cancer development. Evidences show that n-3 PUFAs act at different stages of cancer development and through several mechanisms including the modulation of arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandin synthesis, and Ras protein and protein kinase C expression and activity. As a result, n-3 PUFAs limit tumour cell proliferation, increase apoptotic potential along the crypt axis, promote cell differentiation and possibly limit angiogenesis. The modulatory actions of n-3 PUFAs on the immune system and their anti-inflammatory effects might also play a rote in reducing colon carcinogenesis. There remains, nevertheless, some ambiguity over the safety of n-3 PUFAs with respect to secondary tumour formation. However, it appears that n-3 PUFAs may be of use in colon cancer prevention. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available