Apoptosis-Mediated Chemoprevention by Different Ratios of Fish Oil in Experimental Colon Carcinogenesis

ABSTRACT

Apoptosis plays an important role in prevention of colon cancer. In the present study, different ratios of fish oil and corn oil increased Fas expression in both phases and a decrease in FasL expression only in post initiation phase. Treatment with fish oil activated the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by increasing Bax expression and Cyt c release and decreasing Bcl-2 levels in both phases. This suggests that intrinsic pathway is upregulated by fish oil; however, Fas-FasL activity may be involved in inhibition of reversal of immune surveillance in tumor cells.

KEYWORDS:

• Fish oil (FO)
• n-3 Fatty acids
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)
• Cancer

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to acknowledge Mrs. Sandhya, Senior Technician, CSIC Department, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, for her assistance in flow cytometric estimations.

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from University Grant Commission [F.No. 39–250/2010 (SR)], India. The authors also acknowledge the assistance from University Grants Commission as the department is supported under UGC SAP program and DST-PURSE program.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.