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Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, on UVR-related cancer risk in humans. An assessment of early genotoxic markers.
- Source :
-
Carcinogenesis [Carcinogenesis] 2003 May; Vol. 24 (5), pp. 919-25. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) protect against photocarcinogenesis in animals, but prospective human studies are scarce. The mechanism(s) underlying the photoprotection are uncertain, although omega-3 PUFAs may influence oxidative stress. We examined the effect of supplementation on a range of indicators of ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced DNA damage in humans, and assessed effect on basal and post-UVR oxidative status. In a double-blind randomized study, 42 healthy subjects took 4 g daily of purified omega-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or monounsaturated, oleic acid (OA), for 3 months. EPA was bioavailable; the skin content at 3 months showing an 8-fold rise from baseline, P < 0.01. No consistent pattern of alteration in basal and UVR-exposed skin content of the antioxidants glutathione, vitamins E and C or lipid peroxidation, was seen on supplementation. Sunburn sensitivity was reduced on EPA, the UVR-induced erythemal threshold rising from a mean of 36 (SD 10) mJ/cm(2) at baseline to 49 (16) mJ/cm(2) after supplementation, P < 0.01. Moreover, UVR-induced skin p53 expression, assessed immunohistochemically at 24 h post-UVR exposure, fell from a mean of 16 (SD 5) positive cells/100 epidermal cells at baseline to 8 (4) after EPA supplementation, P < 0.01. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) sampled on 3 successive days both pre- and post-supplementation, showed no change with respect to basal DNA single-strand breaks or oxidative base modification (8-oxo-dG). However, when susceptibility of PBL to ex vivo UVR was examined using the comet assay, this revealed a reduction in tail moment from 84.4 (SD 3.4) at baseline to 69.4 (3.1) after EPA, P = 0.03. No significant changes were seen in any of the above parameters following OA supplementation. Reduction in this range of early markers, i.e. sunburn, UVR-induced p53 in skin and strand breaks in PBL, indicate protection by dietary EPA against acute UVR-induced genotoxicity; longer-term supplementation might reduce skin cancer in humans.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Ascorbic Acid metabolism
Biological Availability
DNA radiation effects
DNA Damage
DNA Repair
Dietary Supplements
Double-Blind Method
Eicosapentaenoic Acid pharmacokinetics
Female
Genetic Markers
Glutathione metabolism
Humans
Lipid Peroxidation
Lymphocytes radiation effects
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced genetics
Oleic Acid pharmacokinetics
Oleic Acid pharmacology
Skin metabolism
Skin Neoplasms genetics
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 genetics
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 metabolism
Ultraviolet Rays
Vitamin E metabolism
Eicosapentaenoic Acid pharmacology
Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced prevention & control
Skin radiation effects
Skin Neoplasms prevention & control
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0143-3334
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Carcinogenesis
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 12771037
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgg038