Effects of Vitamin D and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Co-Supplementation on Inflammatory Factors and Tumor Marker CEA in Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation on inflammatory factors and tumor marker CEA in colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: In this study, 81 patients with stage ӀӀ or ӀӀӀ colorectal cancer were randomly assigned into four groups: (1) control: receiving a vitamin D placebo, weekly + two omega-3 fatty acid placebo capsules, daily; (2) omega-3 fatty acid, receiving two omega-3 fatty acid capsules (each capsule containing 330 mg of omega-3 fatty acids), daily + a vitamin D placebo, weekly; (3) vitamin D, receiving a 50,000 IU vitamin D soft gel, weekly + two omega-3 fatty acid placebo capsules, daily; (4) co-supplementation, receiving a 50,000 IU vitamin D soft gel, weekly + two omega-3 fatty acids capsules, for 8 weeks. Before and after the intervention, serum levels of 25(OH)D, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, NF-kB activity, and tumor marker CEA, were measured.

Results: After 8 weeks of intervention, patients who received combined vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids supplements compared with omega-3, vitamin D, and placebo had significantly decreased TNF-α, and IL-1β (P < .05). In addition, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor marker CEA were decreased significantly in omega-3, vitamin D, and co-supplementation of them, compared with baseline. NF-kB activity was decreased significantly in vitamin D and co-supplementation groups, compared with baseline. Regarding CEA, there was no significant difference between the four groups at the end of intervention (P > .05).

Conclusion: Results show that co-supplementation of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation, in colorectal cancer patients have beneficial impacts on inflammation and tumor marker CEA.

Acknowledgments

This article was based on a data set of a Ph.D. thesis registered in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. We acknowledge the contribution of research participants who were involved in this study.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Authors’ contributions

FH, BA, MI, and MV designed this study. BA and MI participated in the conduct of the study. KA-A analyzed the data. BA drafted the manuscript. FH, MI, and MV critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (Grant No. NRC-9637).