The Effect of Fish Oil Supplement on Serum Phospholipid Fatty Acid Profile and Colonic Epithelial Cell Proliferation in Patients at High Risk for Colon Cancer

Abstract

The dietary consumption of omega 3 (w3) fatty acids (C20:5,C22:6) may be important in the development, growth, and metastasis of colon cancer, a leading cause of death in North America. We compared percent ratio of serum w6/w3, which can be affected by the diet, to the change in proliferation of colonic epithelial cells. Twenty-seven patients with stage 1 or 2 colon carcinoma or adenomatous polyps were randomized (2:1) to receive either 9 gm/day w3 fish oil (FO)(n=17) or 9 gm/day corn oil (CO)(n=10) while controlling fat intake to < 30% total calories. There were no significant group difference between patients’ 3-day dietary recall analysis. Rectal biopsies and blood fatty acid analysis were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. The serum fatty acid was determined by gas chromatography and the % S phase of BrdU labeling for epithelial cell proliferation was measured by flow cytometry.Results:OilStudy IntervalsPlasma w6/w3%S BrdU UptakeFish (n=17)Baseline5.8+/–1.6012.58+/–13.123 Month1.82+/–0.44*6.54+/–3.49*6 Month2.03+/–1.09*3.77+/–1.33*Corn (n=10)Baseline6.83+/–1.709.15+/–7.213 Month6.64+/–2.3610.04+/–5.206 Month7.3+/–1.5017.88+/–17.77* (X+/–SD, *P<0.01)