Influence of omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acid sources on prostaglandin levels in mice

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Abstract
Studies from this laboratory, employing a hairless mouse model, have indicated that a polyunsaturated fatty acid source rich in omega‐3 (n−3) fatty acid (FA) inhibits ultraviolet (UV)‐carcinogenic expression, when compared to that of diets containing predominantly n−6 fatty acids. Omega‐3 FA is a poor substrate for cyclo‐oxygenase, the rate‐limiting step in prostaglandin (PG) synthesis—the latter, particularly PGE2, are known to influence tumor biology. Based upon this rationale, plasma and cutaneous PGE2 levels were determined from hairless mice fed diets containing either 4% or 12% corn or menhaden oil. After two weeks on the respective diets, plasma PGE2 levels of corn oil‐fed animals were approximately 6‐fold greater than those of the menhaden oil‐fed groups. A similar response was found in the dermis. Although the relationship to carcinogenic expression is unknown, dietary n−3 FA content can have a pronounced effect upon PGE2 levels and possesses the potential for influencing other immunomodulators.