Role of dietary intake of specific polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on colorectal cancer risk in Iran

Monireh Sadat Seyyedsalehi, Maryam Hadji, Giulia Collatuzzo, Hamideh Rashidian, Bahareh Sasanfar, Inge Huybrechts, Veronique Chajes, Paolo Boffetta, Kazem Zendehdel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

Abstract

High-fat diets have been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, and the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been reported to vary based on the length of PUFAs. We explored the association between dietary omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs intake and CRC. We analyzed 865 CRC patients and 3206 controls from a case–control study of Iran (IROPICAN study). We used multivariate logistic regression models to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between PUFAs intake and CRC risk. Our results showed that gamma-linolenic acid (18:3 n-6, GLA), arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, ARA), a-linolenic acid (Cis-18:3n-3, ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) consumption was not associated with the risk of CRC. However, the OR of linoleic acid (18: 2n-6, LA) intake was 1.47 (95% CI 1.01–2.14, p = 0.04) for proximal colon and that of docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3, DPA) intake was 1.33 (95% CI 1.05–1.69, p = 0.01) for rectum. This study indicates a high level of LA is associated with an increased risk of proximal colon cancer, and DPA intake was positively associated with rectum cancer risk. Furthermore, our study noted a high intake of n-6 (from vegetable oils) compared to n-3 PUFAs (from fish and seafood) in this population. Public awareness and government support is needed to increase fish and seafood production and consumption in Iran.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-53
Number of pages13
JournalLipids
Volume59
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • colon cancer
  • colorectal cancer
  • diet
  • free fatty acids
  • polyunsaturated fatty acids

Publication forum classification

  • Publication forum level 2

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Cell Biology

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