Diet and gene interactions influence the skeletal response to polyunsaturated fatty acids

The effects of maternal fish oil supplementation rich in n-3 PUFA on offspring-broiler growth performance, body composition and bone microstructure

This study evaluated the effects of maternal fish oil supplementation rich in n-3 PUFA on the performance and bone health of offspring broilers at embryonic development stage and at market age. Ross 708 broiler breeder hens were fed standard diets containing either 2.3% soybean oil (SO) or fish oil (FO) for 28 days. Their fertilized eggs were collected and hatched. For a pre-hatch study, left tibia samples were collected at 18 days of incubation. For a post-hatch study, a total of 240 male chicks from each maternal treatment were randomly selected and assigned to 12 floor pens and provided with the same broiler diets. At 42 days of age, growth performance, body composition, bone microstructure, and expression of key bone marrow osteogenic and adipogenic genes were evaluated. One-way ANOVA was performed, and means were compared by student’s t-test. Maternal use of FO in breeder hen diet increased bone mineral content (p < 0.01), bone tissue volume (p < 0.05), and bone surface area (p < 0.05), but decreased total porosity volume (p < 0.01) during the embryonic development period. The FO group showed higher body weight gain and feed intake at the finisher stage than the SO group. Body composition analyses by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry showed that the FO group had higher fat percentage and higher fat mass at day 1, but higher lean mass and total body mass at market age. The decreased expression of key adipogenic genes in the FO group suggested that prenatal FO supplementation in breeder hen diet suppressed adipogenesis in offspring bone marrow. Furthermore, no major differences were observed in expression of osteogenesis marker genes, microstructure change in trabecular bone, or bone mineral density. However, a significant higher close pores/open pores ratio suggested an improvement on bone health of the FO group. Thus, this study indicates that maternal fish oil diet rich in n-3 PUFA could have a favorable impact on fat mass and skeletal integrity in broiler offspring.

Dietary supplements do not improve bone morphology or mechanical properties in young female C57BL/6 mice

Bone is a hierarchical material formed by an organic extracellular matrix and mineral where each component and their physical relationship with each other contribute to fracture resistance. Bone quality can be affected by nutrition, and dietary supplements that are marketed to improve overall health may improve the fracture resistance of bone. To test this, 11 week old female C57BL/6 mice were fed either collagen, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, or fish oil 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Femurs, tibiae, and vertebrae were scanned with micro-computed tomography and then mechanically tested. Glucosamine and fish oil lowered elastic modulus, but did not alter the overall strength of the femur. There were no differences in bone mechanics of the tibiae or vertebrae. Overall, the data suggest that dietary supplements did little to improve bone quality in young, healthy mice. These supplements may be more effective in diseased or aged mice.

Contrasting effects of <i>Ksr2</i>, an obesity gene, on trabecular bone volume and bone marrow adiposity

Pathological obesity and its complications are associated with an increased propensity for bone fractures. Humans with certain genetic polymorphisms at the kinase suppressor of ras2 (KSR2) locus develop severe early-onset obesity and type 2 diabetes. Both conditions are phenocopied in mice with <i>Ksr2</i> deleted, but whether this affects bone health remains unknown. Here we studied the bones of global <i>Ksr2</i> null mice and found that <i>Ksr2</i> negatively regulates femoral, but not vertebral, bone mass in two genetic backgrounds, while the paralogous gene, <i>Ksr1</i>, was dispensable for bone homeostasis. Mechanistically, KSR2 regulates bone formation by influencing adipocyte differentiation at the expense of osteoblasts in the bone marrow. Compared with <i>Ksr2</i>'s known role as a regulator of feeding by its function in the hypothalamus, pair-feeding and osteoblast-specific conditional deletion of <i>Ksr2</i> reveals that <i>Ksr2</i> can regulate bone formation autonomously. Despite the gains in appendicular bone mass observed in the absence of <i>Ksr2</i>, bone strength, as well as fracture healing response, remains compromised in these mice. This study highlights the interrelationship between adiposity and bone health and provides mechanistic insights into how <i>Ksr2</i>, an adiposity and diabetic gene, regulates bone metabolism.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Level and Bone Mineral Density: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

BACKGROUND

This Mendelian randomization (MR) study aimed to explore the causal relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and bone mineral density (BMD).

METHODS

We conducted a two-sample MR analysis to figure out if there is any causal effect of PUFAs on BMD through the summary data from the genome-wide association study (GWAS). Relationships were evaluated through inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, and maximum likelihood methods. The MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) test was performed to detect the horizontal pleiotropy.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that omega-6 fatty acids were negatively related to the TB-BMD (beta-estimate: -0.0515; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.0911 to -0.0119; standard error [SE]: 0.0201; p-value: 0.0106). The reverse direction MR analysis showed that TB-BMD was linked to the omega-6 FAs (beta-estimate: -0.0699; 95% CI: -0.1304 to -0.0095; SE: 0.0308; p-value: 0.0265). No statistically significant correlations between PUFAs and BMD were observed after adjusting the interactions between metabolites.

CONCLUSION

This two-sample MR analyses produced strong and new genomic evidence that there was a causal relationship between omega-6 FAs and BMD. Further investigations are still required to elucidate the potential mechanism.

Dietary interventions for better management of osteoporosis: An overview

Osteoporosis is a public health concern and a cause of bone loss, increased risk of skeletal fracture, and a heavy economic burden. It is common in postmenopausal women and the elderly and is impacted by dietary factors, lifestyle and some secondary factors. Although many drugs are available for the treatment of osteoporosis, these therapies are accompanied by subsequent side effects. Hence, dietary interventions are highly important to prevent osteoporosis. This review was aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the roles of dietary nutrients derived from natural foods and of common dietary patterns in the regulation of osteoporosis. Nutrients from daily diets, such as unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, minerals, peptides, phytoestrogens, and prebiotics, can regulate bone metabolism and reverse bone loss. Meanwhile, these nutrients generally existed in food groups and certain dietary patterns also play critical roles in skeletal health. Appropriate dietary interventions (nutrients and dietary patterns) could be primary and effective strategies to prevent and treat osteoporosis across the lifespan for the consumers and food enterprises.

Bone Marrow Adipocytes-Role in Physiology and Various Nutritional Conditions in Human and Animal Models

In recent years, adipose tissue has attracted a lot of attention. It is not only an energy reservoir but also plays important immune, paracrine and endocrine roles. BMAT (bone marrow adipose tissue) is a heterogeneous tissue, found mostly in the medullary canal of the long bones (tibia, femur and humerus), in the vertebrae and iliac crest. Adipogenesis in bone marrow cavities is a consequence of ageing or may accompany pathologies like diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM), T2DM, anorexia nervosa, oestrogen and growth hormone deficiencies or impaired haematopoiesis and osteoporosis. This paper focuses on studies concerning BMAT and its physiology in dietary interventions, like obesity in humans and high fat diet in rodent studies; and opposite: anorexia nervosa and calorie restriction in animal models.

The mitophagy receptor Bcl-2-like protein 13 stimulates adipogenesis by regulating mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and apoptosis in mice

Metabolic programming of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) could influence the function of progenitor osteoblasts or adipocytes and hence determine skeletal phenotypes. Adipocytes predominantly utilize oxidative phosphorylation, whereas osteoblasts use glycolysis to meet ATP demand. Here, we compared progenitor differentiation from the marrow of two inbred mouse strains, C3H/HeJ (C3H) and C57BL6J (B6). These strains differ in both skeletal mass and bone marrow adiposity. We hypothesized that genetic regulation of metabolic programs controls skeletal stem cell fate. Our experiments identified Bcl-2-like protein 13 (Bcl2l13), a mitochondrial mitophagy receptor, as being critical for adipogenic differentiation. We also found that Bcl2l13 is differentially expressed in the two mouse strains, with C3H adipocyte progenitor differentiation being accompanied by a >2-fold increase in Bcl2l13 levels relative to B6 marrow adipocytes. Bcl2l13 expression also increased during adipogenic differentiation in mouse ear mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs) and the murine preadipocyte cell line 3T3-L1. The higher Bcl2l13 expression correlated with increased mitochondrial fusion and biogenesis. Importantly, Bcl2l13 knockdown significantly impaired adipocyte differentiation in both 3T3-L1 cells and eMSCs. Mechanistically, Bcl2l13 knockdown reprogrammed cells to rely more on glycolysis to meet ATP demand in the face of impaired oxidative phosphorylation. Bcl2l13 knockdown in eMSCs increased mitophagy. Moreover, Bcl2l13 prevented apoptosis during adipogenesis. Our findings indicate that the mitochondrial receptor Bcl2l13 promotes adipogenesis by increasing oxidative phosphorylation, suppressing apoptosis, and providing mitochondrial quality control through mitophagy. We conclude that genetic programming of metabolism may be important for lineage determination and cell function within the bone marrow.

The oncoprotein TBX3 is controlling severity in experimental arthritis

BACKGROUND

Development of autoimmune diseases is the result of a complex interplay between hereditary and environmental factors, with multiple genes contributing to the pathogenesis in human disease and in experimental models for disease. The T-box protein 3 is a transcriptional repressor essential during early embryonic development, in the formation of bone and additional organ systems, and in tumorigenesis.

METHODS

With the aim to find novel genes important for autoimmune inflammation, we have performed genetic studies of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a mouse experimental model for rheumatoid arthritis.

RESULTS

We showed that a small genetic fragment on mouse chromosome 5, including Tbx3 and three additional protein-coding genes, is linked to severe arthritis and high titers of anti-collagen antibodies. Gene expression studies have revealed differential expression of Tbx3 in B cells, where low expression was accompanied by a higher B cell response upon B cell receptor stimulation in vitro. Furthermore, we showed that serum TBX3 levels rise concomitantly with increasing severity of CIA.

CONCLUSIONS

From these results, we suggest that TBX3 is a novel factor important for the regulation of gene transcription in the immune system and that genetic polymorphisms, resulting in lower expression of Tbx3, are contributing to a more severe form of CIA and high titers of autoantibodies. We also propose TBX3 as a putative diagnostic biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis.

Differential effects of high fat diet and diet-induced obesity on skeletal acquisition in female C57BL/6J vs. FVB/NJ Mice

The effects of obesity on bone metabolism are complex, and may be mediated by consumption of a high fat diet and/or by obesity-induced metabolic dysregulation. To test the hypothesis that both high fat (HF) diet and diet-induced metabolic disease independently decrease skeletal acquisition, we compared effects of HF diet on bone mass and microarchitecture in two mouse strains: diet-induced obesity (DIO)-susceptible C57BL/6J (B6) and DIO-resistant FVB/NJ (FVB). At 3 wks of age we weaned 120 female FVB and B6 mice onto normal (N, 10% Kcal/fat) or HF diet (45% Kcal/fat) and euthanized them at 6, 12 and 20 weeks of age (N = 10/grp). Outcomes included body mass; percent fat and whole-body bone mineral density (WBBMD, g/cm2) via DXA; cortical and trabecular bone architecture at the midshaft and distal femur via μCT; and marrow adiposity via histomorphometry. In FVB HF, body mass, percent body fat, WBBMD and marrow adiposity did not differ vs. N, but trabecular bone mass was lower at 6 wks of age only (p < 0.05), cortical bone geometric properties were lower at 12 wks only, and bone strength was lower at 20 wks of age only in HF vs. N (p < 0.05). In contrast, B6 HF had higher body mass, percent body fat, and leptin vs. N. B6 HF also had higher WBBMD (p < 0.05) at 9 and 12 wks of age but lower distal femur trabecular bone mass at 12 wks of age, and lower body mass-adjusted cortical bone properties at 20 wks of age compared to N (p < 0.05). Marrow adiposity was also markedly higher in B6 HF vs. N. Overall, HF diet negatively affected bone mass in both strains, but was more deleterious to trabecular bone microarchitecture and marrow adiposity in B6 than in FVB mice. These data suggest that in addition to fat consumption itself, the metabolic response to high fat diet independently alters skeletal acquisition in obesity.

Diet-induced obesity suppresses cortical bone accrual by a neuropeptide Y-dependent mechanism

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether age and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were involved in the skeletal response to extended periods of diet-induced obesity.

METHODS

Male wild-type (WT) and NPY null (NPYKO) mice were fed a mild (23% fat) high-fat diet for 10 weeks from 6 or 16 weeks of age. Metabolism and bone density were assessed during feeding. Skeletal changes were assessed by microCT and histomorphometry.

RESULTS

High-fat feeding in 6-week-old WT mice led to significantly increased body weight, adiposity and serum leptin levels, accompanied with markedly suppressed cortical bone accrual. NPYKO mice were less susceptible to fat accrual but, importantly, displayed a complete lack of suppression of bone accrual or cortical bone loss. In contrast, when skeletally mature (16 week old) mice underwent 10 weeks of fat feeding, the metabolic response to HFD was similar to younger mice, however bone mass was not affected in either WT or NPYKO. Thus, growing mice are particularly susceptible to the detrimental effects of HFD on bone mass, through suppression of bone accrual involving NPY signalling.

CONCLUSION

This study provides new insights into the relationship between the opposing processes of a positive weight/bone relationship and the negative 'metabolic' effect of obesity on bone mass. This negative effect is particularly active in growing skeletons, which have heightened sensitivity to changes in obesity. In addition, NPY is identified as a fundamental driver of this negative 'metabolic' pathway to bone.

Dietary omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate hepatic pathology

Recent evidence has suggested that dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) modulate inflammation; however, few studies have focused on the pathobiology of PUFA using isocaloric and isolipidic diets and it is unclear if the associated pathologies are due to dietary PUFA composition, lipid metabolism or obesity, as most studies compare diets fed ad libitum. Our studies used isocaloric and isolipidic liquid diets (35% of calories from fat), with differing compositions of omega (ω)-6 or long chain (Lc) ω-3 PUFA that were pair-fed and assessed hepatic pathology, inflammation and lipid metabolism. Consistent with an isocaloric, pair-fed model we observed no significant difference in diet consumption between the groups. In contrast, the body and liver weight, total lipid level and abdominal fat deposits were significantly higher in mice fed an ω-6 diet. An analysis of the fatty acid profile in plasma and liver showed that mice on the ω-6 diet had significantly more arachidonic acid (AA) in the plasma and liver, whereas, in these mice ω-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were not detected and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was significantly lower. Histopathologic analyses documented that mice on the ω-6 diet had a significant increase in macrovesicular steatosis, extramedullary myelopoiesis (EMM), apoptotic hepatocytes and decreased glycogen storage in lobular hepatocytes, and hepatocyte proliferation relative to mice fed the Lc ω-3 diet. Together, these results support PUFA dietary regulation of hepatic pathology and inflammation with implications for enteral feeding regulation of steatosis and other hepatic lesions.

High fat diet attenuates hyperglycemia, body composition changes, and bone loss in male streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice

There is a growing and alarming prevalence of obesity and the metabolic syndrome in type I diabetic patients (T1DM), particularly in adolescence. In general, low bone mass, higher fracture risk, and increased marrow adipose tissue (MAT) are features of diabetic osteopathy in insulin-deficient subjects. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with normal or high bone mass, a greater risk of peripheral fractures, and no change in MAT. Therefore, we sought to determine the effect of weight gain on bone turnover in insulin-deficient mice. We evaluated the impact of a 6-week high-fat (HFD) rich in medium chain fatty acids or low-fat diet (LFD) on bone mass and MAT in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced model using male C57BL/6J mice at 8 weeks of age. Dietary intervention was initiated after diabetes confirmation. At the endpoint, lower non-fasting glucose levels were observed in diabetic mice fed with high fat diet compared to diabetic mice fed the low fat diet (STZ-LFD). Compared to euglycemic controls, the STZ-LFD had marked polydipsia and polyphagia, as well as reduced lean mass, fat mass, and bone parameters. Interestingly, STZ-HFD mice had higher bone mass, namely less cortical bone loss and more trabecular bone than STZ-LFD. Thus, we found that a HFD, rich in medium chain fatty acids, protects against bone loss in a T1DM mouse model. Whether this may also translate to T1DM patients who are overweight or obese in respect to maintenance of bone mass remains to be determined through longitudinal studies.

Adipose, Bone, and Myeloma: Contributions from the Microenvironment

Researchers globally are working towards finding a cure for multiple myeloma (MM), a destructive blood cancer diagnosed yearly in ~750,000 people worldwide (Podar et al. in Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 14:99-127, 2009). Although MM targets multiple organ systems, it is the devastating skeletal destruction experienced by over 90 % of patients that often most severely impacts patient morbidity, pain, and quality of life. Preventing bone disease is therefore a priority in MM treatment, and understanding how and why myeloma cells target the bone marrow (BM) is fundamental to this process. This review focuses on a key area of MM research: the contributions of the bone microenvironment to disease origins, progression, and drug resistance. We describe some of the key cell types in the BM niche: osteoclasts, osteoblasts, osteocytes, adipocytes, and mesenchymal stem cells. We then focus on how these key cellular players are, or could be, regulating a range of disease-related processes spanning MM growth, drug resistance, and bone disease (including osteolysis, fracture, and hypercalcemia). We summarize the literature regarding MM-bone cell and MM-adipocyte relationships and subsequent phenotypic changes or adaptations in MM cells, with the aim of providing a deeper understanding of how myeloma cells grow in the skeleton to cause bone destruction. We identify avenues and therapies that intervene in these networks to stop tumor growth and/or induce bone regeneration. Overall, we aim to illustrate how novel therapeutic target molecules, proteins, and cellular mediators may offer new avenues to attack this disease while reviewing currently utilized therapies.

Management of Hypoparathyroidism: Present and Future

CONTEXT

Conventional management of hypoparathyroidism has focused upon maintaining the serum calcium with oral calcium and active vitamin D, often requiring high doses and giving rise to concerns about long-term consequences including renal and brain calcifications. Replacement therapy with PTH has recently become available. This paper summarizes the results of the findings and recommendations of the Working Group on Management of Hypoparathyroidism.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Contributing authors reviewed the literature regarding physiology, pathophysiology, and nutritional aspects of hypoparathyroidism, management of acute hypocalcemia, clinical aspects of chronic management, and replacement therapy of hypoparathyroidism with PTH peptides. PubMed and other literature search engines were utilized.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Under normal circumstances, interactions between PTH and active vitamin D along with the dynamics of calcium and phosphorus absorption, renal tubular handing of those ions, and skeletal responsiveness help to maintain calcium homeostasis and skeletal health. In the absence of PTH, the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and skeleton are all affected, leading to hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, reduced bone remodeling, and an inability to conserve filtered calcium. Acute hypocalcemia can be a medical emergency presenting with neuromuscular irritability. The recent availability of recombinant human PTH (1-84) has given hope that management of hypoparathyroidism with the missing hormone in this disorder will provide better control and reduced needs for calcium and vitamin D.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoparathyroidism is associated with abnormal calcium and skeletal homeostasis. Control with calcium and active vitamin D can be a challenge. The availability of PTH (1-84) replacement therapy may usher new opportunities for better control with reduced supplementation requirements.

Signaling Interplay between Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue and Multiple Myeloma cells

In the year 2000, Hanahan and Weinberg (1) defined the six Hallmarks of Cancer as: self-sufficiency in growth signals, evasion of apoptosis, insensitivity to antigrowth mechanisms, tissue invasion and metastasis, limitless replicative potential, and sustained angiogenesis. Eleven years later, two new Hallmarks were added to the list (avoiding immune destruction and reprograming energy metabolism) and two new tumor characteristics (tumor-promoting inflammation and genome instability and mutation) (2). In multiple myeloma (MM), a destructive cancer of the plasma cell that grows predominantly in the bone marrow (BM), it is clear that all these hallmarks and characteristics are in play, contributing to tumor initiation, drug resistance, disease progression, and relapse. Bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) is a newly recognized contributor to MM oncogenesis and disease progression, potentially affecting MM cell metabolism, immune action, inflammation, and influences on angiogenesis. In this review, we discuss the confirmed and hypothetical contributions of BMAT to MM development and disease progression. BMAT has been understudied due to technical challenges and a previous lack of appreciation for the endocrine function of this tissue. In this review, we define the dynamic, responsive, metabolically active BM adipocyte. We then describe how BMAT influences MM in terms of: lipids/metabolism, hypoxia/angiogenesis, paracrine or endocrine signaling, and bone disease. We then discuss the connection between BMAT and systemic inflammation and potential treatments to inhibit the feedback loops between BM adipocytes and MM cells that support MM progression. We aim for researchers to use this review to guide and help prioritize their experiments to develop better treatments or a cure for cancers, such as MM, that associate with and may depend on BMAT.

A High Fat Diet Increases Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue (MAT) But Does Not Alter Trabecular or Cortical Bone Mass in C57BL/6J Mice

Obesity has been associated with high bone mineral density (BMD) but a greater propensity to fracture. Some obese individuals have increased marrow adipose tissue (MAT), but the impact of MAT on bone turnover remains controversial, as do changes in BMD associated with a high fat diet (HFD). In this study we hypothesized that MAT volume would increase in response to HFD but would be independent of changes in BMD. Hence, we fed C57BL/6J (B6) male mice at 3 weeks of age either a high fat diet (60 kcal %) or regular diet (10 kcal %) for 12 weeks (n = 10/group). We measured MAT volume by osmium staining and micro-CT (µCT) as well as bone parameters by µCT, histomorphometry, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We also performed a short-term pilot study using 13-week-old B6 males and females fed a HFD (58 kcal %) for 2 weeks (n = 3/sex). Both long- and short-term HFD feedings were associated with high MAT volume, however, femoral trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV), bone formation rate and cortical bone mass were not altered in the long-term study. In the short-term pilot study, areal BMD was unchanged after 2 weeks of HFD. We conclude that, for B6 mice fed a HFD starting at wean or 13 weeks of age, MAT increases whereas bone mass is not altered. More studies are needed to define the mechanism responsible for the rapid storage of energy in the marrow and its distinction from other adipose depots.

High bone mass in adult mice with diet-induced obesity results from a combination of initial increase in bone mass followed by attenuation in bone formation; implications for high bone mass and decreased bone quality in obesity

Obesity is generally recognized as a condition which positively influences bone mass and bone mineral density (BMD). Positive effect of high body mass index (BMI) on bone has been recognized as a result of increased mechanical loading exerted on the skeleton. However, epidemiologic studies indicate that obesity is associated with increased incidence of fractures. The results presented here offer a new perspective regarding the mechanisms which may be responsible for the increase of bone mass and concurrent decrease in bone quality. Two groups of 12 week old C57BL/6 males were fed either high fat diet (HFD) or regular diet (RD) for 11 weeks. Metabolic profile, bone parameters and gene expression were assessed in these groups at the end of the experiment. Additionally, bone status was evaluated in a third group of 12 week old animals corresponding to animals at the start of the feeding period. Administration of HFD resulted in development of a diet-induced obesity (DIO), glucose intolerance, alteration in energy metabolism, and impairment in WAT function, as compared to the age-matched control animals fed RD. The expression of adiponectin, FABP4/aP2, DIO2 and FoxC2 were decreased in WAT of DIO animals, as well as transcript levels for IGFBP2, the cytokine regulating both energy metabolism and bone mass. At the end of experiment, DIO mice had higher bone mass than both control groups on RD, however they had decreased bone formation, as assessed by calcein labeling, and increased marrow adipocyte content. This study suggests that the bone mass acquired in obesity is a result of a two-phase process. First phase would consist of either beneficial effect of fat expansion to increase bone mass by increased mechanical loading and/or increased production of bone anabolic adipokines and/or nutritional effect of fatty acids. This is followed by a second phase characterized by decreased bone formation and bone turnover resulting from development of metabolic impairment.

Omega-3 fatty acids for breast cancer prevention and survivorship

Women with evidence of high intake ratios of the marine omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) relative to the omega-6 arachidonic acid have been found to have a reduced risk of breast cancer compared with those with low ratios in some but not all case–control and cohort studies. If increasing EPA and DHA relative to arachidonic acid is effective in reducing breast cancer risk, likely mechanisms include reduction in proinflammatory lipid derivatives, inhibition of nuclear factor-κB-induced cytokine production, and decreased growth factor receptor signaling as a result of alteration in membrane lipid rafts. Primary prevention trials with either risk biomarkers or cancer incidence as endpoints are underway but final results of these trials are currently unavailable. EPA and DHA supplementation is also being explored in an effort to help prevent or alleviate common problems after a breast cancer diagnosis, including cardiac and cognitive dysfunction and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The insulin-sensitizing and anabolic properties of EPA and DHA also suggest supplementation studies to determine whether these omega-3 fatty acids might reduce chemotherapy-associated loss of muscle mass and weight gain. We will briefly review relevant omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, and early investigations in breast cancer prevention and survivorship.

Omega-3 fatty acids for breast cancer prevention and survivorship

Women with evidence of high intake ratios of the marine omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) relative to the omega-6 arachidonic acid have been found to have a reduced risk of breast cancer compared with those with low ratios in some but not all case-control and cohort studies. If increasing EPA and DHA relative to arachidonic acid is effective in reducing breast cancer risk, likely mechanisms include reduction in proinflammatory lipid derivatives, inhibition of nuclear factor-κB-induced cytokine production, and decreased growth factor receptor signaling as a result of alteration in membrane lipid rafts. Primary prevention trials with either risk biomarkers or cancer incidence as endpoints are underway but final results of these trials are currently unavailable. EPA and DHA supplementation is also being explored in an effort to help prevent or alleviate common problems after a breast cancer diagnosis, including cardiac and cognitive dysfunction and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The insulin-sensitizing and anabolic properties of EPA and DHA also suggest supplementation studies to determine whether these omega-3 fatty acids might reduce chemotherapy-associated loss of muscle mass and weight gain. We will briefly review relevant omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, and early investigations in breast cancer prevention and survivorship.

Plasma fatty acid profile in multiple myeloma patients

New membrane formation in the proliferating tumor cells consequently results in hypermetabolism of fatty acids (FA), as seen in many cancer patients, including multiple myeloma (MM). The FA composition of plasma reflects both endogenous synthesis as well as the dietary supply of these compounds. Additionally, obesity is a risk factor for the development of MM. The aim of this study was to compare the FA composition of plasma in 60 MM patients and 60 healthy controls. We noted significant differences in the FA profile of plasma from patients with MM when compared to the control group. Increased levels of saturated and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in MM patients suggest that there may be increased endogenous synthesis of these fatty acids, likely due to increased expression of desaturase and elongase. Furthermore, cluster analysis showed differences in the distribution of FA in plasma from MM patients compared to controls. Dietary fat and a deranged endogenous FA metabolism may contribute to cancer-associated inflammation through an abnormal arachidonic acid metabolism, caused by pro-inflammatory derivatives. Our study supports further research on the biochemistry of lipids in patients with MM.