EVALUATION OF DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID EFFECT IN ORAL CARCINOGENESIS IN VIVO

Abstract

Objective Evaluate the preventive effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on oral carcinogenesis. Study Design 86 Wistar rats were divided in 3 groups: Control (group 1), carcinogenesis induction (group 2), and carcinogenesis induction associated with treatment of fish oil enriched with DHA (group 3). Carcinogenesis was induced by 4NQO topical application on the right border of the tongue associated with 15% alcohol solution ingest. Type, number, area of lesion, and histopathologic diagnosis were evaluated during 8 (n = 28), 15 (n = 28), and 24 (n = 30) weeks. Results Clinical lesions were detected from 15 weeks: 2 leukoplakias, 1 of group 2 and 1 of group 3. At 24 weeks, all animals in groups 2 and 3 developed leukoplakias or leukoeritroplakias. No difference in number and area of lesions among groups 2 and 3 was detected. At the time 8 weeks, epithelial hyperplasia or hiperkeratosis was diagnosed in 5 and 7 animals from group 2 and 3 respectively. At 15 weeks, 81.82%, and 98.91% of the animals presented epithelial alterations in groups 2 and 3 respectively. At 24 weeks, epithelial dysplasia was identified in more than 90% of the animals of group 2 and 3. Conclusions Fish oil enriched with DHA treatment does not alter tongue carcinogenesis.