Diets containing EPA and DHA have an inhibitory effect on breast cancer growth and metastasis.
Influence of diets containing eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic acid on growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells in nude mice.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diets rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., corn oil and other fats containing linoleic acid) stimulate the growth and metastasis of human breast cancer cells in athymic nude mice. On the other hand, diets containing fish oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids), exert suppressive effects. PURPOSE: Our objective was twofold: 1) to compare the effects of diets containing linoleic acid with those of diets containing eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on the growth and metastasis of MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells in the nude mouse model and 2) to determine how such effects relate to observed changes in the chemical content of tumor fatty acids and eicosanoid production. METHODS: Groups of 30 female athymic nude mice were fed 20% (wt/wt) fat diets containing either linoleic acid (8%) alone, linoleic acid (8%) plus eicosapentaenoic acid (4%) or docosahexaenoic acid (4%), or linoleic acid (4%) plus eicosapentaenoic acid (8%) or docosahexaenoic acid (8%) for 7 days before one million MDA-MB-435 cells were injected into a thoracic mammary fat pad. Diets were continued for 12 more weeks. Primary tumors were measured weekly. The mice were then killed and necropsied, and tumor tissues preserved. Cell membrane phospholipid fatty acid analyses and eicosanoid assays were performed. All P values represent two-tailed tests of statistical significance. RESULTS: The growth of the primary tumors was retarded in mice fed the diets supplemented with eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic acid compared with the growth of primary tumors in mice fed the 8% linoleic acid diet. Growth inhibition was statistically significant (P
Affiliation
Division of Nutrition and Endocrinology, American Health Foundation, Vallhalla, N.Y. 10595, USA.
External References
- PubMed ID:
- 7752256
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