Fish oil supplementation improves neutrophil function during cancer chemotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Chemotherapy often causes neutropenia and reduced neutrophil function.
• Neutrophils are critical for immune defense against infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if low-dose fish oil (FO) supplementation improves neutrophil function in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
• To assess the impact of FO on body weight and neutrophil parameters.

Main Methods:

• 38 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and leucovorin) post-surgery were randomized.
• The FO group received 2g FO/day for 8 weeks, providing eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.
• A control group received no supplement.

Main Results:

• The control group experienced weight loss and decreased polymorphonuclear cell (PMNC) number, phagocytosis, and hydrogen peroxide production.
• The FO group showed a significant increase in body weight (1.7 kg gain).
• FO supplementation prevented PMNC decline and increased PMNC number (29%), phagocytosis (14%), and superoxide production (28%).

Conclusions:

• Low-dose fish oil supplementation may counteract chemotherapy-induced reductions in neutrophil number and function.
• FO supplementation appears beneficial for maintaining immune function and body weight in cancer patients during chemotherapy.