Unsaturated fatty acids differ between hepatic colorectal metastases and liver tissue without tumour in humans: results from a randomised controlled trial of intravenous eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Mediators derived from the n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) arachidonic acid oxidation have been shown to have tumour promoting effects in experimental models, while n-3 PUFAs are thought to be protective. Here we report fatty acid concentrations in hepatic colorectal metastases compared to liver tissue without tumour in humans.

METHODS:

Twenty patients with colorectal liver metastasis were randomized to receive a 72 h infusion of parenteral nutrition with or without n-3 PUFAs. Histological samples from liver metastases and liver tissue without tumour were obtained from 15 patients at the time of their subsequent liver resection (mean 8 days (range 4-12) post-infusion) and the fatty acid composition determined by gas chromatography.

RESULTS:

There were no significant differences in fatty acid composition between the two intervention groups. When data from all patients were combined, liver tissue without tumour had a higher content of both n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and a lower content of oleic acid and total n-9 fatty acids compared with tumour tissue (p<0.0001, 0.0002,<0.0001 and <0.0001, respectively). The n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was found to be higher in tumour tissue than tissue without tumour (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Hepatic colorectal adenocarcinoma metastases have a higher content of n-9 fatty acids and a lower content of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs than liver tissue without tumour.

• Authors: James A Stephenson, Omer Al-Taan, Ali Arshad, Annette L West, Philip C Calder, Bruno Morgan, Matthew S Metcalfe, Ashley R Dennison
• Journal: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids (Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids) Vol. 88 Issue 6 Pg. 405-10 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1532-2823 [Electronic] Scotland
• PMID: 23647811 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase I, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Fatty Acids, Omega-6
• Docosahexaenoic Acids
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (chemistry, metabolism, secondary)
• Adult
• Aged
• Case-Control Studies
• Colorectal Neoplasms (chemistry, metabolism, pathology)
• Docosahexaenoic Acids (administration & dosage, analysis)
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (administration & dosage, analysis)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (analysis)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-6 (analysis)
• Female
• Humans
• Liver (chemistry, metabolism, pathology)
• Liver Neoplasms (chemistry, metabolism, secondary)
• Male
• Middle Aged