Improved antioxidant status by omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a case series

Abstract

IntroductionBreast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide and the third most common cancer in India. Various studies have reported that chemotherapy reduces the antioxidant status in patients with cancer. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to offer protection against breast cancer through various mechanisms. However, there are no reports suggesting a relationship between consumption of omega-3 fatty acids during chemotherapy and antioxidant status in patients with breast cancer. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether fish oil supplementation could improve the antioxidant status of five women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.Case presentationWe report on the cases of five Indian women with breast cancer, in the age group of 34 to 60 years, who had poorly differentiated breast carcinoma and underwent modified radical mastectomy. Postsurgery, the patients were given fish oil capsules containing eicosapentaenoic acid (180mg) and docosahexaenoic acid (120mg)/capsule during their chemotherapy. Informed consent was obtained from each participant and they were followed-up to the completion of six chemotherapy cycles at 21-day intervals.ConclusionsThe supplementation of fish oil significantly (p < 0.01) increased superoxide dismutases, glutathione reductase and catalase activity in red blood cells as well as the total plasma antioxidant status in the patients. This approach of using omega-3 fatty acids as an adjuvant treatment for breast cancer may help oncologists to manage the side effects of ongoing chemotherapy by improving the antioxidant status in patients.

Expand+In Vivoiv.iiarjournals.orgIn Vivo September-October 2017 vol. 31 no. 5 1003-1009 Elevated Serum AA/EPA Ratio as a Predictor of Skeletal Muscle Depletion in Cachexic Patients with Advanced Gastro-intestinal Cancers

“…There have been reports that inflammation and nutritional status improved by intervention with fish oil administration. (7,21,22). As fish oil is rich in EPA and DHA, we therefore considered that an improved CRP and decreased serum AA/EPA ratio, or n-6/n-3 ratio could be reached by eating a diet with n-3 fatty acid, such as EPA and DHA.…”

“…Sarcopenia can also be diagnosed by measuring the psoas muscle area (4,5). Although nutritional management of cancer patients to prevent and resolve sarcopenia has not been established, attention has been focused on the effects of fatty acid administration on cancer patients (6)(7)(8). Furthermore, studies that have identified a relationship between a significant decrease in psoas muscle volume and CRP increase in patients with cancer cachexia (9).…”

The Protective Role of Omega-3 Against Genotoxicity and Reproductive Toxicity of Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles Acute Treatment in Male Mice

“…In addition, Mansara et al [11] estimated in a case report on five Indian women with breast cancer that supplementation of fish oil significantly (p<0.01) increased SOD, GSH reductase, and CAT activity in red blood cells and the total plasma antioxidant status in the patients. They concluded that Omega-3 fatty acids might be an alternative adjuvant treatment for breast cancer instead of chemotherapy due to its antioxidant potential.…”

“…Mansara et al [11] reported that Omega-3 supplementation has the ability to significantly (p<0.01) increase antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutases (SOD), glutathione (GSH) reductase and catalase (CAT) enzymes, activity in red blood cells, and the total plasma antioxidant status in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.…”

Free radical oxidation in liver mitochondria of tumor-bearing rats and its correction by essential lipophilic nutrients

“…Probably, ω3 PUFAs are incorporated into the phospholipids of mitochondrial membranes and replace ω6 PUFAs in their composition, which explains the membraneprotective effect of ω3 PUFAs. On the other hand, ω3 PUFAs can activate the antioxidant cell protection link [26] in the liver of tumor-bearers.…”