(05-01-07) Colon cancer, fatty acids and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Chapkin RS, McMurray DN, Lupton JR.

aFaculty of Nutrition, USA bCenter for Environmental and Rural Health, USA cDepartment of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, Texas A & M University System Health Science Center, College Station, Texas, USA.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To outline recent findings on the efficacy of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention/treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: Compelling data indicate a functional link between chronic inflammation and colon cancer. With respect to environmental risk factors, there is growing evidence that long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil suppress inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer risk in humans. Unfortunately, the molecular basis of the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on inflammation/colitis-associated colon cancer risk is still largely obscure. In this review, we focus on recent studies which address three emerging mechanisms of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids action: (1) metabolic interconversion into bioactive eicosanoids, (2) modulation of nuclear receptor activation, and (3) alteration of membrane phospholipid composition and functionality of lipid microdomains. SUMMARY: The consumption of dietary fish oil may prove to be an effective adjuvant therapy in colon cancer. Therefore, it is both appropriate and timely to determine precisely how n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate cell signaling networks, and reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and inflammatory disorders of the intestine.

Source: Curr Opin Gastroenterol

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