New insights on the regulation of cancer cachexia by N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Publication date: Available online 4 December 2018Source: Pharmacology & TherapeuticsAuthor(s): Renata Gorjao, Cesar Miguel Momesso dos Santos, Tamires Duarte Afonso Serdan, Vinicius Leonardo Sousa Diniz, Tatiana Carolina Alba-Loureiro, Maria Fernanda Cury-Boaventura, Elaine Hatanaka, Adriana Cristina Levada-Pires, Fábio Takeo Sato, Tania Cristina Pithon-Curi, Luiz Claudio Fernandes, Rui Curi, Sandro Massao HirabaraAbstractCancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome that develops during malignant tumor growth. Changes in plasma levels of several hormones and inflammatory factors result in an intense catabolic state, decreased activity of anabolic pathways, anorexia, and marked weight loss, leading to cachexia development and/or accentuation. Inflammatory mediators appear to be related to the control of a highly regulated process of muscle protein degradation that accelerates the process of cachexia. Several mediators have been postulated to participate in this process, including TNF-α, myostatin, and activated protein degradation pathways. Some interventional therapies have been proposed, including nutritional (dietary, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation), hormonal (insulin), pharmacological (clenbuterol), and nonpharmacological (physical exercise) therapies. Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid, are recognized for their anti-inflammatory properties and have been used in therapeutic approaches to...
Source: Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research