α-Linolenic Fatty Acid Supplementation Decreases Tumor Growth and Cachexia Parameters in Walker 256 Tumor-Bearing Rats

Nutr Cancer. 2015;67(5):839-46. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2015.1043021. Epub 2015 May 26.

Abstract

Fish oil (FO) has been shown to affect cancer cachexia, tumor mass, and immunity cell. n-3 PUFA, specifically α-linolenic fatty acid (ALA), has controversial effects. We investigated this in nontumor-bearing Wistar rats fed regular chow (C), fed regular chow and supplemented with FO or Oro Inca oil (OI), and Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats fed regular chow (W), fed regular chow and supplemented with FO (WFO) or OI (WOI). Rats were supplemented (1g/kg body weight/day) during 4 wk and then the groups tumor-bearing were inoculated with Walker 256 tumor cells suspension and 14 days later the animals were killed. WFO increased EPA fivefold and DHA 1.5-fold in the tumor tissue compared to W (P < 0.05). OI supplementation increased of threefold of ALA when compared to W (P < 0.05). Tumor mass in WFO and OI was of 2.3-fold lower, as well as tumor cell proliferation of 3.0-fold tumor tissue lipoperoxidation increased of 76.6% and cox-2 expression was 20% lower. Cachexia parameters were attenuate, blood glucose (25% higher), Triacylglycerolemia (50% lower), and plasma TNF-α (65% lower; P < 0.05) and IL-6 (62.5% lower). OI, rich in ALA, caused the same effect on cancer as those seen in FO.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cachexia / prevention & control*
  • Carcinoma 256, Walker / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fish Oils / administration & dosage*
  • Growth Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Fish Oils
  • Growth Inhibitors
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid