Documentation of Ultrastructural Changes in Nucleus and Microvilli by Fish Oil in Experimental Colon Carcinogenesis

Fish oil (FO) exerts a chemopreventive effect by regulating apoptosis in colon carcinogenesis. The present study reports the ultrastructural changes in various organelles on supplementation of FO in experimental colon carcinogenesis. The carcinogen treatment led to abnormal nuclear shape and alteration in microvilli number indicating cancer establishment. On the other hand, different ratios of FO and corn oil increased chromatin condensation along with an extensive loss of microvilli in a dose- and time-dependent manner which depicts an increase in apoptosis. The associated ultrastuctural alterations support the facilitation of apoptosis by FO as a mechanism for its beneficial effect in colon carcinogenesis.