Could dietary erucic acid lower risk of brain tumors? An epidemiological look to Chinese population with implications for prevention and treatment

AbstractErucic acid, an omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid present in Brassicaceae plants (rapeseed and mustard oils) is highly consumed by the Chinese population and according to several global survey studies, its highest levels are encountered in the Chinese women ’s milk. Erucic acid is an activating ligand of the transcription factor PPARδ and an inhibitor of the transcriptional activity of PPARγ, which drive tumorigenesis of glioblastomas and medulloblastomas. In this theoretical review, we propose that erucic acid in diet may associate with the risk o f brain tumors. High grade brain tumors including medulloblastomas in children and glioblastomas in adults have devastating consequences for human health and the latter tumors are practically incurable. CONCORD-3 epidemiological study recently published in 2021 revealed a low ratio of medulloblastom as in the pediatric age group and also a low ratio of glioblastomas in adults in the Chinese population. It is certain that such profound differences can not be attributed to a single genetic factor or a single nurture pattern. It is very likely that multiple hereditary, nutritional and environmenta l factors are responsible for these lower ratios; yet here we propose that erucic acid may be one of the contributing factors. If future epidemiological studies and animal models show antitumor activity of erucic acid regarding brain neoplasias, it can be utilized as a preventive strategy for popula tions possessing very high ri...
Source: Metabolic Brain Disease - Category: Neurology Source Type: research