docosapentaenoic-acid and Neoplasms

Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) is a long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid that is intermediary between eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the n-3 synthesis pathway. DPA is part of our normal diet through fish and lean red meat. In recent years, DPA has received increasing attention as an important bioactive fatty acid in light of its potential beneficial health effects, which include anti-inflammatory actions, antiplatelet aggregation, and improved plasma lipid prolife. This review provides a short summary of the most recent research on DPA.. In this review, we report on the latest association data as well as data generated from in-vitro and in-vivo studies on DPA and cardiovascular health, mental health, inflammation, and cancer. We also report on the newly identified DPA metabolites and their effects on exacerbation of inflammation in animal models.. Although there is a growing body of evidence supporting DPA's role as an important bioactive fatty acid, there is a need for more 'cause and effect studies', clinical trials and studies which can reveal whether DPA plays separate roles to those identified for eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.

Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Humans; Inflammation; Lipid Metabolism; Mental Health; Neoplasms

Immune modulatory effects of EPA and DHA are well described. However, these fatty acids must be effectively incorporated into cell membrane phospholipids to modify cell function. To address the absence of human data regarding short-term incorporation, the present study investigated the incorporation of EPA and DHA into white blood cells (WBC) at different time points during 1 wk of supplementation with a medical food, which is high in protein and leucine and enriched with fish oil and specific oligosaccharides. Additionally, the effects on ex vivo immune function were determined. In a single-arm, open label study, 12 healthy men and women consumed 2 × 200 mL of medical food providing 2.4 g EPA, 1.2 g DHA, 39.7 g protein (including 4.4 g L-leucine), and 5.6 g oligosaccharides daily. Blood samples were taken at d 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 4, and 7. Within 1 d of nutritional intervention, the percentage of EPA in phospholipids of WBC increased from 0.5% at baseline to 1.3% (P < 0.001). After 1 wk, the percentage of EPA rose to 2.8% (P < 0.001). Additionally, the production of proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated whole blood cultures was significantly increased within 1 wk. Nutritional supplementation with a fish oil-enriched medical food significantly increased the percentage of EPA in phospholipids of WBC within 1 wk. Simultaneously, ex vivo immune responsiveness to LPS increased significantly. These results hold promise for novel applications such as fast-acting nutritional interventions in cancer patients, which should be investigated in future studies.

Topics: Aged; Biological Transport; Blood Cells; Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Dietary Proteins; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; Fish Oils; Food, Formulated; Humans; Immunomodulation; Leukocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Oligosaccharides; Phospholipids; Time Factors