A meta-analysis of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids effects on circulating acute-phase protein and cytokines in gastric cancer

Abstract

Background & aims: Chronic inflammation is related with cancer and leads to worsening prognosis in cancer patients. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation has been proposed as adjuvant treatment in cancer due anti-inflammatory properties. In the present meta-analysis, we pooled randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of n-3 PUFAs (from fish oil isolated or added in an immunonutrition formula) on inflammatory markers in gastric cancer.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in Medline, Scopus, Cochrane library, Science Direct and Web of Science, besides GOOGLE Scholar and a hand searching of reference lists, through July 2016. We pooled the effect size from individual studies using a random-effect model and carried out heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses.

Results: Nine trials (698 patients) fulfilled the entry criteria and were included in the synthesis of the systematic review. Eight were carried out in surgical patients and one in patients that received chemotherapy. Four used only fish oil as intervention and five used an immunonutrition formula. Global meta-analysis demonstrated higher albumin (7 studies, SMD 0.28; 95% CI 0.07, 0.48) and prealbumin (4 studies, SMD 0.56; 95% CI 0.12, 1.00) concentrations, and lower IL-6 (2 studies, SMD -0.71; 95% CI -1.15, -0.27) and TNF-α (2 studies, SMD -0.92; 95% CI -1.58, -0.26) concentrations in patients of the intervention group as compared to control group. However, total protein, transferrin and CRP concentrations were not improved by n-3 PUFAs supplementation.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence that n-3 PUFAs supplementation from fish oil or added an immunonutrition formula has favorable effects on inflammatory markers in gastric cancer patients undergoing surgical procedures.

Keywords: Docosahexaenoic acid; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Inflammation; Stomach neoplasm.