Cited by 118Fatty Acid Research and HealthSkin Protection and AgingAntioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress

Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, on UVR-related cancer risk in humans. An assessment of early genotoxic markers

Rhodes, L. E.·2003·Carcinogenesis

Abstract

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) protect against photocarcinogenesis in animals, but prospective human studies are scarce. The mechanism(s) underlying the photoprotection are uncertain, although omega-3 PUFAs may influence oxidative stress. We examined the effect of supplementation on a range of indicators of ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced DNA damage in humans, and assessed effect on basal and post-UVR oxidative status. In a double-blind randomized study, 42 healthy subjects took 4 g daily of purified omega-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or monounsaturated, oleic acid (OA), for 3 months. EPA was bioavailable; the skin content at 3 months showing an 8-fold rise from baseline, P < 0.01. No consistent pattern of alteration in basal and UVR-exposed skin content of the antioxidants glutathione, vitamins E and C or lipid peroxidation, was seen on supplementation. Sunburn sensitivity was reduced on EPA, the UVR-induced erythemal threshold rising from a mean of 36 (SD 10) mJ/cm(2) at baseline to 49 (16) mJ/cm(2) after supplementation, P < 0.01. Moreover, UVR-induced skin p53 expression, assessed immunohistochemically at 24 h post-UVR exposure, fell from a mean of 16 (SD 5) positive cells/100 epidermal cells at baseline to 8 (4) after EPA supplementation, P < 0.01. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) sampled on 3 successive days both pre- and post-supplementation, showed no change with respect to basal DNA single-strand breaks or oxidative base modification (8-oxo-dG). However, when susceptibility of PBL to ex vivo UVR was examined using the comet assay, this revealed a reduction in tail moment from 84.4 (SD 3.4) at baseline to 69.4 (3.1) after EPA, P = 0.03. No significant changes were seen in any of the above parameters following OA supplementation. Reduction in this range of early markers, i.e. sunburn, UVR-induced p53 in skin and strand breaks in PBL, indicate protection by dietary EPA against acute UVR-induced genotoxicity; longer-term supplementation might reduce skin cancer in humans.

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Crossref · 10.1093/carcin/bgg038

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  • EPAs have a UV-filtering effect and longer-term supplementation may reduce the risk of skin cancer in humans.

    “The results indicate that EPAs have a UV-filtering effect and suggest that longer-term supplementation may reduce the risk of skin cancer in humans [187].”

    From Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review (2021) · cites this paper as [187]

  • Fish oils have a protective role and can reduce the severity of erythema.

    “There are studies indicating that fish oils have a protective role and can reduce the severity of erythema.”

    From Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review (2021) · cites this paper as [187]

  • In a randomized double-blind trial in 42 healthy patients taking 4 g/day of EPA or monounsaturated oleic acid for three months, an increase in the UV-induced erythematous threshold was observed, as was a decrease in the expression of the protein p53, a marker of DNA damage induced by UV radiation.

    “In a randomized double-blind trial in 42 healthy patients taking 4 g/day of EPA or monounsaturated oleic acid for three months, an increase in the UV-induced erythematous threshold was observed, as was a decrease in the expression of the protein p53, a marker of DNA damage induced by UV radiation.”

    From Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review (2021) · cites this paper as [187]

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Authors
Rhodes, L. E.
Affiliations
University of Manchester (GB)
Corresponding author
Rhodes, L. E.
Venue
Carcinogenesis
Published
2003-03-28
Volume
24
Issue
5
Pages
919-925
ISSN
  • 0143-3334 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2180
OpenAlex
W2105917309
Cited by
118
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 10
FWCI
6.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Carcinogenesis (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
  • TNO Repository (submittedVersion)
  • Repository hosted by TU Delft Library (TU Delft) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Funders
European Commission
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
Keywords
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, ultraviolet radiation, photoprotection, p53 expression, single-strand breaks, oxidative DNA damage, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, glutathione, vitamin E, vitamin C, oleic acid, dietary supplementation, skin cancer risk
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Ascorbic Acid, Biological Availability, DNA, DNA Damage, DNA Repair, Double-Blind Method, Female, Genetic Markers, Glutathione, Humans, Lymphocytes, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced, Skin, Skin Neoplasms, Ultraviolet Rays, Vitamin E, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Lipid Peroxidation, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53, Oleic Acid, Dietary Supplements

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