ARS | Publication request: Effects of n3 Intake on Plasma Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Sex Hormone Profiles in Postmenopausal Women: Potential for Breast Cancer Risk Reduction

Submitted to: American Oil Chemists' Society Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2010
Publication Date: May 25, 2010
Citation: Raatz, S.K., Orr, L.R., Redmon, J.B., Kurzer, M.S. 2010. Effects of n3 Intake on Plasma Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Sex Hormone Profiles in Postmenopausal Women: Potential for Breast Cancer Risk Reduction [abstract]. American Oil Chemists' Society Meeting. p. 5.

Technical Abstract: Breast cancer risk is associated with dietary fat intake. Omega-6 fatty acids (n6) promote while omega-3 fatty acids (n3) inhibit tumorigenesis. Increased sex hormone (SH) concentrations are associated with risk of breast cancer. The effects of total fat and n3 on SH and PLFA were assessed in a feeding trial in 17 postmenopausal women. Diets tested in 8-week feeding periods were: 40% fat (HF), 20% fat (LF) and a low fat diet +n3 (23% fat; LFn3). PLFA n-3 (18:3n3, 20:5n3, 22:6n3 and total n3) increased and n6 (18:2n6, 20:4n6) reduced with LFn3 (all p < 0.0001). Estradiol (E2) increased with HF (17.2 ± 7.6 pmol/L) and decreased (-13.2 ± 7.9 pmol/L) with LF (p = 0.03). SH binding globulin reduced with LF and LFn3 compared to HF (p = 0.06). Free E2 index was reduced with LF (-0.004 ± 0.0004) and increased with HF (0.0006 ± 0.0004) (p = 0.18). Estrone reduced with LFn3 relative to HF and LF (p = 0.14). Free testosterone was increased with LF compared to HF and LFn3 (p = 0.10) The LFn3 diet changed PLFA in favor of n3. HF resulted in increased in E2, which is related to increased risk of breast cancer. LF resulted in reductions in E2 and free E2 index and LFn3 resulted in reduction in circulating estrone, which are related to decreased risk of breast cancer.