Omega-3 Fatty Acids and PPARγin Cancer

Abstract

Omega-3 (or n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their metabolites are natural ligands for peroxisome proliferator receptor activator (PPAR)γand, due to the effects of PPARγon cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation, are potential anticancer agents. Dietary intake of omega-3 PUFAs has been associated with a reduced risk of certain cancers in human populations and in animal models. In vitro studies have shown that omega-3 PUFAs inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer cells through various pathways but one of which involves PPARγactivation. The differential activation of PPARγand PPARγ-regulated genes by specific dietary fatty acids may be central to their distinct roles in cancer. This review summarizes studies relating PUFAs to PPARγand cancer and offers a new paradigm relating an n-3 PUFA through PPARγto the expression of the cell surface proteoglycan, syndecan-1, and to the death of cancer cells.