omega-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids-derived lipid metabolites on angiogenesis, inflammation and cancer

Epidemiological and pre-clinical studies support the anti-tumor effects of omega-3 PUFAs; however, the results from human trials are mixed, making it difficult to provide dietary guidelines or recommendations of omega-3 PUFAs for disease prevention or treatment. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which omega-3 PUFAs inhibit cancer could lead to better nutritional paradigms and human trials to clarify their health effects. The omega-3 PUFAs exert their biological activities mainly through the formation of bioactive lipid metabolites. Here we discuss the biology of cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and cytochrome P450 enzymes-derived omega-3-series lipid metabolites on angiogenesis, inflammation and cancer. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.