Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer related death in the world. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that there is an association between consumption of dietary fat and colon cancer risk. Not only the amount but also the type and the ratio of fatty acids comprising dietary fats consumed have been implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of colon cancer. Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), have been known to inhibit development of colon cancer by downregulating the expression of genes involved in colon carcinogenesis and also by altering the membrane lipid composition. Data from laboratory, epidemiological, and clinical studies substantiate the beneficial role of n-3 PUFAs in preventing colitis and subsequent development of colon cancer. In addition, recent studies suggest that some n-3 PUFAs can be effective as an adjuvant with chemotherapeutic agents and other natural anticancer compounds in the management of colon cancer. In this review, we discuss chemopreventive and therapeutic effects of fish oil derived long chain n-3 PUFAs, particularly EPA and DHA, with focus on synergetic effects of which they exert when combined with chemotherapeutic agents and other natural compounds.
Carcinogenesis* ; Colitis ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Dietary Fats ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid ; Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated* ; Fish Oils* ; Membranes ; Therapeutic Uses

This study is conducted to determine the effects of dietary levels of corn and tuna oils on the formation of preneoplastic lesions in die-thylnitrosamine (DEN) induced rat hepatocarcinogenesis. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 2.5, 5, 15, 25% (w/w) corn or tuna oils. Hepatocellular carcinogenesis was induced by DEN (200 mg/kg body weight) and two-thirds partial hepactectomy was carried out 3 weeks later and were sacrificed 8 weeks after DEN initiation. Tuna oil group showed smaller area of placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-P) positive foci than corn oil group. Corn oil group of 25% (w/w) showed the widest area of GST-P positive foci, and tuna oil group showed significantly smaller area of GST-P positive foci than corn oil in 25% (w/w) level but had no differences between oil levels. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content was the highest in 25% (w/w) level of tuna oil group fed long chain and highly polyunsaturated fatty acids. Also serum gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activities in 25% level of tuna oil group were significantly higher than by other levels. As oil contents increased, glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase) seems to decrease in corn oil groups but remained the same in tuna oil groups. Glutathione reductase (GR) activities were significantly higher in tuna oil group, and the higher the level of tuna oil, the higher GR activities. But Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities didn't seem to be influenced by levels and kind of dietary fats. Therefore, as oil levels increased, corn oil rich in n-6 fatty acids promoted carcinogenesis but tuna oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) of n-3 fatty acids suppressed. Although lipid peroxidation products were elevated in 25% (w/w) tuna oil group, GST-P positive foci didn't increase. Therefore preneoplastic lesions might be reduced through mediation of a lipid peroxidation process in tuna oil. As fat contents of tuna oil increased, elevated GR activities may give a rise to produce more reduced glutathione in order to protect against free radical attack, and high G6Pase activities remained the same and they contributed to membrane stability. So tuna oil diet seems to protect hepatocarcinogenesis.
Animals ; Carcinogenesis* ; Corn Oil ; Diet ; Dietary Fats ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Glucose-6-Phosphatase ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Glutathione Reductase ; Glutathione Transferase ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Membranes ; Negotiating ; Oils* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Tuna* ; Zea mays*

The relationship between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and violent-aggressive behavior has been payed attention since 1980s. Their correlation was explored by many epidemiological investigations, and the effect of PUFAs on prevention or reduction of violent-aggressive behavior in different groups were also affirmed by some intervention studies. This article summarized the previous studies and reviewed the history of epidemiological or intervention studies on PUFAs and its relationship with violent-aggressive behavior. It also presented the possible influencing factors in these studies and possible mechanisms.
Aggression ; Animals ; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated/pharmacology* ; Dietary Supplements ; Docosahexaenoic Acids/pharmacology* ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid/pharmacology* ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/pharmacology* ; Fatty Acids, Omega-6/pharmacology* ; Fishes ; Folic Acid/metabolism* ; Humans ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid/metabolism* ; Norepinephrine/metabolism* ; Risk Factors ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Violence/prevention & control*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We examined dietary fat intake and the major food sources by young children in Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 1,041 children aged 1–5 years were identified from the 2013–2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data on total fat and fatty acid intake were obtained by a single 24-h dietary recall. Food sources were identified based on the amounts of total fat and fatty acids consumption according to each food. Fat and fatty acid intakes and their food sources were presented by age group (1–2-y, n = 401; 3–5-y, n = 640). Fat and fatty acid intakes were also evaluated according to socioeconomic characteristics. RESULTS: The mean intake of fat was 27.1 ± 0.8 g in the 1-2-y group and 35.5 ± 0.7 g in the 3-5-y group, and about 23% of the total energy was obtained from fat in both age groups. The mean intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA) was 10.5 ± 0.3 g in the 1-2-y group and 12.7 ± 0.3 g in the 3-5-y group, with the 1-2-y group obtaining more energy from SFA than the 3-5-y group (9.2% vs. 8.3%). The mean intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was 6.3 ± 0.1 g in the total subjects, with 0.8 ± 0.03 g of n-3 fatty acids and 5.5 ± 0.1 g of n-6 fatty acids being consumed. Milk, pork, and eggs were major food sources of total fat, SFA, and monounsaturated fatty acids, and soybean oil was the main contributor to PUFA in both age groups. In the 1-2-y group, children in rural areas had significantly higher intake of PUFA and n-3 fatty acids than did those in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide current information on dietary fat intake among young Korean children and could be used to establish dietary strategies for improvement of health status.
Child* ; Cross-Sectional Studies* ; Dietary Fats ; Eggs ; Fatty Acids* ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Humans ; Korea* ; Milk ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Ovum ; Red Meat ; Soybean Oil

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to study the different long term effects of consumption of dietary oil sources with varying omega-6/omega-3 (omega-6/omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ratios on bone marrow fatty acid level, ex vivo prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release, and mineral content of bone in rabbits. MATERIALS/METHODS: For this purpose, weaning and female New Zealand white rabbits were purchased and randomly divided into five groups and offered ad libitum diets containing 70 g/kg of added oil for 100 days. The dietary lipid treatments were formulated to provide the following ratios of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids: 8.68 soy bean oil (SBO control), 21.75 sesame oil (SO), 0.39 fish oil (FO), 0.63 algae oil (DHA), and 0.68 algae oils (DHA/ARA). DHA and ARA are two types of marine microalgae of the genus Crypthecodinium cohnii. RESULTS: The dietary treatments had significant effects on the bone marrow fatty acids of rabbits. Rabbits fed the FO diet, containing the highest omega-3 PUFA concentration, and those fed the SBO diet showed the highest omega-6 PUFA. On the other hand, a positive correlation was observed between Ex vivo PGE2 level and the omega-6/omega-3 dietary ratio. Significant effects of dietary treatment on femur Ca, P, Mg, and Zn contents were observed in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the current study clearly demonstrated that dietary PUFA, particularly omega-6/omega-3 and ARA/EPA ratios are important factors in determining bone marrow fatty acid profile, and this in turn determines the capacity of bone for synthesis of PGE2, thereby reducing bone resorption and improving bone mass during growth.
Bone Marrow ; Bone Resorption ; Diet ; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated ; Dinoprostone* ; Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Female ; Femur ; Hand ; Humans ; Microalgae ; Minerals ; Oils ; Rabbits* ; Sesame Oil ; Soybean Oil ; Weaning

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to study the different long term effects of consumption of dietary oil sources with varying omega-6/omega-3 (omega-6/omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ratios on bone marrow fatty acid level, ex vivo prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release, and mineral content of bone in rabbits. MATERIALS/METHODS: For this purpose, weaning and female New Zealand white rabbits were purchased and randomly divided into five groups and offered ad libitum diets containing 70 g/kg of added oil for 100 days. The dietary lipid treatments were formulated to provide the following ratios of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids: 8.68 soy bean oil (SBO control), 21.75 sesame oil (SO), 0.39 fish oil (FO), 0.63 algae oil (DHA), and 0.68 algae oils (DHA/ARA). DHA and ARA are two types of marine microalgae of the genus Crypthecodinium cohnii. RESULTS: The dietary treatments had significant effects on the bone marrow fatty acids of rabbits. Rabbits fed the FO diet, containing the highest omega-3 PUFA concentration, and those fed the SBO diet showed the highest omega-6 PUFA. On the other hand, a positive correlation was observed between Ex vivo PGE2 level and the omega-6/omega-3 dietary ratio. Significant effects of dietary treatment on femur Ca, P, Mg, and Zn contents were observed in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the current study clearly demonstrated that dietary PUFA, particularly omega-6/omega-3 and ARA/EPA ratios are important factors in determining bone marrow fatty acid profile, and this in turn determines the capacity of bone for synthesis of PGE2, thereby reducing bone resorption and improving bone mass during growth.
Bone Marrow ; Bone Resorption ; Diet ; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated ; Dinoprostone* ; Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Female ; Femur ; Hand ; Humans ; Microalgae ; Minerals ; Oils ; Rabbits* ; Sesame Oil ; Soybean Oil ; Weaning

PURPOSE: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are implicated in secondary osteoporosis, and the resulting fractures cause significant morbidity. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a vital role in bone metabolism. However, few trials have studied the impact of omega-3 PUFA-containing oils against GC-induced osteoporosis. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine whether supplementation with omega-3 PUFA-containing dietary oils such as fish oil, flaxseed oil or soybean oil can impede the development of GC-induced osteoporosis. METHODS: The fatty acids (FAs) content of oils was determined using gas chromatography. Male rats were subdivided into 5 groups (8 rats each): normal control (balanced diet), prednisolone control (10 mg/kg prednisolone daily), soybean oil (prednisolone 10 mg/kg + soybean oil 7% w/w), flaxseed oil (prednisolone 10 mg/kg + flaxseed oil 7% w/w), and fish oil (from cod liver; prednisolone 10 mg/kg + fish oil 7% w/w). RESULTS: The study data exhibited a significant depletion in bone mineral density (BMD) and femur mass in the prednisolone control compared to the normal control, accompanied with a marked decrease in the levels of plasma calcium and 1,25-(OH)₂-vitamin D₃, and elevated levels of C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Supplementation with fish oil, soybean oil or flaxseed oil helped to improve plasma calcium levels, and suppress oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. Additionally, bone resorption was suppressed as reflected by the decreased CTX levels. However, fish oil was more effective than the other two oils with a significant improvement in BMD and normal histological results compared to the normal control. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that supplementation with dietary oils containing omega-3 PUFAs such as fish oil, soybean oil or flaxseed oil can play a role in the prevention of bone loss and in the regulation of bone metabolism, especially fish oil which demonstrated a greater level of protection against GC-induced osteoporosis.
Animals ; Bone Density ; Bone Resorption ; Calcium ; Chromatography, Gas ; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated ; Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Femur ; Fish Oils ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Linseed Oil ; Liver ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; Metabolism ; Oils ; Osteoporosis ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Prednisolone ; Rats ; Soybean Oil ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory factors and beta-cell dysfunction due to high-fat diets aggravate chronic diseases and their complications. However, omega-3 dietary fats have anti-inflammatory effects, and the involvement of autophagy in the etiology of diabetes has been reported. Therefore, we examined the protective effects of autophagy on diabetes using fat-1 transgenic mice with omega-3 self-synthesis capability. METHODS: Streptozotocin (STZ) administration induced beta-cell dysfunction in mice; blood glucose levels and water consumption were subsequently measured. Using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome staining, we quantitatively assessed STZ-induced changes in the number, mass, and fibrosis of pancreatic islets in fat-1 and control mice. We identified the microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B light chain 3-immunoreactive puncta in beta-cells and quantified p62 levels in the pancreas of fat-1 and control mice. RESULTS: STZ-induced diabetic phenotypes, including hyperglycemia and polydipsia, were attenuated in fat-1 mice. Histological determination using H&E and Masson's trichrome staining revealed the protective effects of the fat-1 expression on cell death and the scarring of pancreatic islets after STZ injection. In the beta-cells of control mice, autophagy was abruptly activated after STZ treatment. Basal autophagy levels were elevated in fat-1 mice beta-cells, and this persisted after STZ treatment. Together with autophagosome detection, these results revealed that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) enrichment might partly prevent the STZ-related pancreatic islet damage by upregulating the basal activity of autophagy and improving autophagic flux disturbance. CONCLUSION: Fat-1 transgenic mice with a n-3 PUFA self-synthesis capability exert protective effects against STZ-induced beta-cell death by activating autophagy in beta-cells.
Animals ; Autophagy* ; Blood Glucose ; Cell Death ; Chronic Disease ; Cicatrix ; Diet, High-Fat ; Dietary Fats ; Drinking ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated* ; Fibrosis ; Hematoxylin ; Hyperglycemia ; Islets of Langerhans ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic* ; Pancreas ; Phenotype ; Polydipsia ; Streptozocin

Ecological studies have indicated that the essential fatty acids in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples are associated with gestational length and birth weight. The objectives of this study were to examine serum fatty acid concentration, particularly omega3 fatty acids, in maternal and umbilical cord blood and to investigate the relationship of serum fatty acid levels in the blood of the mother and of the umbilical cord. Subjects consisted of 30 full-term and 30 pre-term mothers and neonates of both groups. Serum levels of fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. The concentration of total saturated fatty acids in pre-term pregnant women was significantly higher than that of the full-term group (p<0.05), however, the maternal level of omega3 fatty acids in the pre-term group was significantly lower than that of the full-term pregnant women (p<0.05), Moreover, the concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in full-term pregnant women were significantly higher than those of the pre-term group. In umbilical cord blood, the levels of total omega3 fatty acid and arachidonic acid were significantly lower in the pre-term group than in the full-term group (p<0.05). Based on the coefficient of correlation between serum fatty acids in the mother and the umbilical cord, it turned out that in the full-term group, the newborn's umbilical cord serum fatty acids were not influenced by the levels of serum fatty acids in the mother. However, in the pre-term group, it seems to have positive correlations in terms of the levels of SFA, MUFA, PUFA and alpha-linolenic acid. This study suggests that a lower status of omega3 fatty acids in maternal and umbilical cord blood probably is a risk factor for pre-term birth.
alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Arachidonic Acid ; Birth Weight ; Chromatography, Gas ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid ; Fatty Acids* ; Fatty Acids, Essential ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers* ; Parturition ; Pregnant Women ; Risk Factors ; Umbilical Cord*

Microorganisms provide both beneficial and harmful effects to human beings. Beneficial effects come from the symbiotic relationship that exists between humans and microbiota, but then several human illnesses have turned some friendly microbes into opportunistic pathogens, causing several microbial-related diseases. Various efforts have been made to create and utilize antimicrobial agents in the treatment and prevention of these infections, but such efforts have been hampered by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Despite extensive studies on drug discovery to alleviate this problem, issues with the toxicity and tolerance of certain compounds and continuous microbial evolution have forced researchers to focus on screening various phytochemical dietary compounds for antimicrobial activity. Linolenic acid and its derivatives (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) are omega-3 fatty acids that have been studied due to their role in human health, being important for the brain, the eye, the cardiovascular system, and general human growth. However, their utilization as antimicrobial agents has not been widely appreciated, perhaps due to a lack of understanding of antimicrobial mechanisms, toxicity, and route of administration. Therefore, this review focuses on the efficacy, mechanism, and toxicity of omega-3 fatty acids as alternative therapeutic agents for treating and preventing diseases associated with pathogenic microorganisms.
Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry* ; Antioxidants/chemistry* ; Bacterial Infections/microbiology* ; Cell Membrane/drug effects* ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Docosahexaenoic Acids/chemistry* ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid/chemistry* ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/chemistry* ; Fishes ; Humans ; Lipids/chemistry* ; Mice ; Microbiota ; Rats ; alpha-Linolenic Acid/chemistry*