Importance of the Role of ω-3 and ω-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Progression of Brain Cancer

Abstract

Brain cancer is one of the most malignant types of cancer in both children and adults. Brain cancer patients tend to have a poor prognosis and a high rate of mortality. Additionally, 20–40% of all other types of cancer can develop brain metastasis. Numerous pieces of evidence suggest that omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-PUFAs) could potentially be used in the prevention and therapy of several types of cancer. PUFAs and oxylipins are fundamental in preserving physiological events in the nervous system; it is, therefore, necessary to maintain a certain ratio of ω-3 to ω-6 for normal nervous system function. Alterations in PUFAs signaling are involved in the development of various pathologies of the nervous system, including cancer. It is well established that an omega-6-polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-6 PUFA)-rich diet has a pro-tumoral effect, whereas the consumption of an ω-3 rich diet has an anti-tumoral effect. This review aims to offer a better understanding of brain cancer and PUFAs and to discuss the role and impact of PUFAs on the development of different types of brain cancer. Considering the difficulty of antitumor drugs in crossing the blood–brain barrier, the therapeutic role of ω-3/ω-6 PUFAs against brain cancer would be a good alternative to consider. We highlight our current understanding of the role of PUFAs and its metabolites (oxylipins) in different brain tumors, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression by focusing on recent research in vitro and in vivo.

Effects of Whole Corn Germ, a Source of Linoleic Acid, on Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Feedlot Lambs

“…Both in humans and for animals, the C18:2n-6, as well as alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), precursors of the omega-6 and omega-3 long-chain fatty acid groups, are necessary to maintain cell membranes, brain functions, and transmission of nerve impulses under normal conditions [ 58 ]. Moreover, the C18:2n-6 fatty acid acts as precursor to conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), known for their health benefits, especially the reduction of body fat, which makes it an influential role in the control of chronic non-communicable diseases [ 59 ].…”

Serine/threonine Kinases Play Important Roles in Regulating Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803

“…PUFAs are divided into multiple categories based on the position where the unsaturated bond starts relative to the methyl end of the fatty acid carbon chain, using the ω (omega) numbering system. ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs play important roles in various organisms ( Mayra et al, 2020 ). In addition to having important physiological functions, these PUFAs, including linoleic acid (C18: 2), α-linolenic acid (C18: 3n3), γ-linolenic acid (C18: 3n6), stearidonic acid (C18: 4), arachidonic acid (C20: 4n6), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20: 5), and docosahexaenoic acid (C22: 6), have high nutritional and medicinal value.…”

Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Activities of the Ethanolic Extract of Daphne sericea Vahl Flowering Aerial Parts Collected in Central Italy

“…Indeed, most of the identified compounds have already shown relevant antitumor properties against several cell lines [ 63 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ]. Among these, sinensetin ( 5 ) seems likely to be the most responsible for the activity against MDA-MB-231 proliferation since it was observed to decrease the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells in a concentration and time dependent manner [ 74 ], whereas the poly-unsaturated fatty acids, p -anisic acid ( 10 ) and caffeic acid ( 11 ) seem to be the most effective compounds against U87-MG [ 63 , 66 , 75 ]. Then, these biological activities performed on the same extract showed good effects, in accordance with other previously published results, for what concerns the antioxidant tests and no toxic activities under normal conditions on a human normal fibroblast cell line.…”