Omega-3 and its effects on colorectal cancer

Cancer as the second leading cause of death following cardiovascular diseases has always been a threat to human life and due to its peculiar nature and lack of a favorable treatment, it is considered as aresearch priority in all communities. Gastrointestinal cancers are responsible for 15.5% of cancer deaths in Iran. Therefore, we must be able as much as possible, both in terms of treatment and prevention of cancer. For this purpose, primary we should have a sufficient cognition of cancer and whatever effects on it. One of the natural substances that exhibit various health beneficial effects is fish oil. Fish oilconsumption has been shown to have a protective role in some chronic degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, cystic fibrosis, dysmenorrhea and schizophrenia. The health beneficial effects of fish oil have been attributed to its high content of the omega-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Omega-3s are part of thePUFA family that includes eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 ω-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DPA), and ALA. Several chemopreventive effects of omega-3 as an attractive substance for researchers due to its numerous effects on cancer have been reported such as regulation of apoptosis, inhibition of cancer growth, anti-angiogenic and antiproliferative effects, in addition to anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic actions. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of their anticancer roles have not been completely demonstrated. In this study, we provide several mechanisms which have been proposed to explain the anticancer effects of omega-3 PUFAs. Thus, Omega-3 PUFAs can alter the growth of tumor cells by modulating cell replication, interfering with components of the cell cycle, or increasing cell death via necrosis or apoptosis, alteration of membrane dynamics and cell surface receptor function, increasing cellular oxidative stress. In this study, we attempted to introduce omega-3 and its effects on cancer. For this purpose, we described the mechanisms by which omega-3 PUFAs is thought to have antineoplastic activity and also we reviewed published preclinical and clinical studies that support anti-colon cancer activities. A comprehensive literature search was performed in Medline, Scopus, Cochrane library, Science Direct and Web of Science, besides GOOGLE Scholar and a hand searching of reference lists to identify primary research reporting the effects of ω-3 PUFAs on cancer, through October 2016. Two authors independently reviewed and selected eligible evidences. Finally, we combined the results of previous investigations and carried out heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses on them. Several articles and studies have proposed omega-3 PUFAs have chemopreventive effects on many cancers. Likewise, several effects of omega-3 such as anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic recognized in contrast with the effects of omega-6. This study provides evidences which represent consumption of omega-3 PUFAs supplementary due to their anti-inflammatory property can be effective in ameliorate colorectal cancer and preventing getting infected. Thus, it would be probably an appropriate alternative to many chemical drugs. It’s recommended to do more studies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Colorectal Cancer ، Cancer Prevention ، Nutrition and Cancer ، Cancer Treatment and Management ، Targeted Cancer Therapy