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Fish oil prevents colon cancer by modulation of structure and function of mitochondria

Navneet Agnihotri1, Gayatri Sharma1, Isha Rani1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|July 30, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Fish oil, combined with corn oil, targets mitochondria to enhance apoptosis and reduce colorectal cancer (CRC) development. This dietary intervention shows promise in cancer prevention by modulating mitochondrial function.

Area of Science:

  • Mitochondrial biology
  • Cancer research
  • Nutritional science

Background:

  • Cancer cells exhibit metabolic vulnerabilities due to impaired electron transport chain (ETC) function.
  • Mitochondria are crucial for cellular energy production and programmed cell death (apoptosis), making them a key target for cancer therapy.
  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) progression involves mitochondrial dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the chemopreventive effects of fish oil (FO) and corn oil (CO) on mitochondria in a rat model of colorectal cancer (CRC).
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which dietary oils modulate mitochondrial structure, function, and lipid composition during carcinogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were administered diets with varying ratios of FO and CO (1:1 and 2.5:1) and treated with N,N-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH) or ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA).
  • Mitochondrial integrity was assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
  • Electron transport chain (ETC) enzyme activity, mitochondrial lipid composition (cholesterol and cardiolipin), and apoptosis markers were evaluated at different time points.

Main Results:

  • DMH-induced CRC led to mitochondrial damage, decreased ETC complex activity, and increased cholesterol and cardiolipin levels, promoting apoptosis evasion.
  • Fish oil, particularly at a 2.5:1 ratio with corn oil, stabilized mitochondria, increased their numbers, and reduced cholesterol and cardiolipin levels.
  • The FO+CO(2.5:1) combination promoted mitophagy and altered ETC dynamics, facilitating apoptosis and attenuating CRC development.

Conclusions:

  • Fish oil demonstrates a dose-dependent, chemopreventive effect against colorectal cancer by targeting mitochondria.
  • Dietary intervention with fish oil enhances mitochondrial function and promotes apoptosis, offering a potential strategy for cancer attenuation.
Keywords:
Colorectal cancer (CRC)Corn oil (CO)Fish oil (FO)N,N-Dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH)n-3 and n-6 PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids)

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