Effect of Eicosapentaenoic Acid on Body Composition and Inflammation Markers in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer from a Public Hospital in Mexico

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Head and neck cancer patients are at high risk of anorexia-cachexia syndrome and literature shows that Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) could regulate it. We aim to determine the EPA effect on body composition and pro-inflammatory markers in patients with head neck cancer. Materials and methods: A randomized single-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer who received a polymeric diet with 2 g of EPA or a standard polymeric diet for six weeks before antineoplastic treatment. We assessed body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis and determined IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ, CRP, serum proteins, and blood count at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: 32 patients received EPA (2 g/day) and 32 became controls. A decrease in serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ was observed in the experimental group, as well as regulation of body weight (−0.3 ± 5.9 vs. −2.1 ± 3.7), lean body mass (−0.2 ± 3.8 vs. −1.3 ± 3.6), body fat mass (0.2 ± 3.5 vs. −1.2 ± 3.8), and quality of life (10 ± 33 vs. 5 ± 34). Conclusion: Supplementing with 2 g/day of EPA to head and neck cancer patient during antineoplastic treatment regulates serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, body weight, lean body mass, and improve quality of life.

Acknowledgment

We appreciate the collaboration of the team and the Chemists at the Central Laboratory of Hospital General de México, with a special mention of the pharmaceutical biochemist Neyla Baltazar, and the participation of M.C. Karolina Alvarez-Altamirano for his help in the supervision in the submission process of this manuscript.

The authors acknowledge grants support from “Fundación Dr. Díaz Perches” with polymeric formulas enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid and standard polymeric formulas donation as well as, donation of calcium caseinate from “Evolution Nutraceutical Company”. However, they had no role in the design of the study, data collection, statistical analysis, interpretation of the results, or in the writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fundación Dr. Díaz Perches (All polymeric formulas used) Evolution Nutraceutical Company (25 kg of Caseinate of calcium).