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Adipose tissue fatty acid composition and colon cancer: a case-control study
A Giuliani1, F Ferrara, M Scimò
1Department of Surgery "Pietro Valdoni", University of Rome "Sapienza" 1st Medical School, viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
European Journal of Nutrition
|November 2, 2013
Summary
Fatty acid composition differs between colon cancer patients and controls. Colon cancer patients show higher saturated and monounsaturated fats, while controls have higher polyunsaturated fatty acids, suggesting a role in colon carcinogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Dietary fat intake, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), is linked to increased risks of several cancers, including colon cancer.
- Adipose tissue composition may play a role in cancer development.
- Understanding fatty acid profiles in patients with and without colon cancer is crucial for elucidating potential mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in fatty acid composition of adipose tissue between patients with colon cancer and non-neoplastic controls.
- To assess whether these differences are depot-specific (subcutaneous vs. visceral).
Main Methods:
- Adipose tissue samples (subcutaneous and visceral) were collected intra-operatively from 52 colon cancer patients and 50 controls.
- Fatty acid levels were quantified using gas-liquid chromatography.
- Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA, SNK, and Dunnet tests to compare fatty acid profiles.
Main Results:
- Colon cancer patients had higher levels of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in both subcutaneous and visceral fat compared to controls.
- Controls exhibited higher levels of certain n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including linoleic acid (LA) and its metabolites (GLA, DGLA, AA), in subcutaneous fat.
- Colon cancer patients showed higher levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and stearidonic acid (SDA) in both fat depots. They also had higher levels of GLA, DGLA, and AA in both depots compared to controls.
- Colon cancer patients demonstrated a higher proportion of ALA and LA in subcutaneous fat compared to visceral fat.
Conclusions:
- Fatty acid profiles in adipose tissue are significantly different between colon cancer patients and controls.
- Specific fatty acids, including saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, may be implicated in colon carcinogenesis.
- Visceral fat may have a depot-specific impact on the process of colon cancer development.
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