Measurement of red blood cell eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels in a randomised trial of EPA in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases

Abstract

Measurement of red blood cell eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels in a randomised trial of EPA in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases, Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plefa.2016.10.003 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting galley proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. AbstractWe investigated red blood cell (RBC) PUFA profiles, and the predictive value of RBC EPA content for tumour EPA exposure and clinical outcomes, in the EMT study, a randomised trial of EPA in patients awaiting colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastasis surgery (A.J. Cockbain et al, 2014). There was a significant increase in RBC EPA in the EPA group (n=43; median intervention 30 days; mean absolute 1.26 [±0.14]% increase; P<0.001), but not in the placebo arm (n=45). EPA incorporation varied widely in EPA users and was not explained by treatment duration or compliance.

A randomised trial of the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements on the human intestinal microbiota

“…However, there was no statistical post-treatment difference in the per cent AA content between drink and capsule use (figure 2F). The omega-3:omega-6 ratio is commonly used as a biomarker of omega-3 PUFA bioactivity 12. Therefore, we examined the effect of drink consumption and capsule intake on the EPA+DHA:AA ratio (figure 2G).…”

“…Red blood cells (RBCs) were obtained from whole blood EDTA samples as described 12. Samples were stored at −80°C until lipid extraction and measurement of fatty acids by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as described 13.…”

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method to measure fatty acids in biological samples

“…The full data set from erythrocyte membrane PUFA content analysis, of 88 patients (including the 8 samples included here) has previously been published [9].…”

“…We then tested the applicability of the LC-ESI-MS/MS method for FA analysis in a clinical setting, using a subset of clinical samples from the EMT study [9,16]. We analysed the total FA content of erythrocytes from 8 participants before and after treatment with EPA-FFA 2 g daily using the hydrolysis method, i.e.…”

“…This property means that measurements of relative and absolute PUFA content of cells and tissues can potentially be used as a disease risk biomarker in observational studies or as a predictive biomarker in intervention studies. In the context of intervention trials, specific PUFA levels in erythrocyte membranes or the plasma phospholipid fraction can be used as a measure of compliance, baseline dietary -3 PUFA intake and individual variability in PUFA content [9].…”