Consumption of an omega-3 fatty acids product, INCELL AAFA, reduced side-effects of CPT-11 (irinotecan) in mice.

INCELL AAFA, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid product containing a high concentration of long chain fatty acids, was tested for its ability to ameliorate the harmful side effects of CPT-11 chemotherapy including: leukopenia, anaemia, asthenia, weight loss and liver involvement. Four groups of mice were fed an AIN-76 diet modified to contain: 10% w/w corn oil (CO), 0% AAFA; 9% CO, 1% AAFA; 8% CO, 2% AAFA; or 7% CO, 3% AAFA. After 2 weeks on the diets, half of the mice received CPT-11 chemotherapy (60 mg kg(-1) q 4 days, i.v.) the rest of the mice received vehicle for 2 weeks. It was found that 2% AAFA in the diet of the CPT-11 treated mice: decreased apoptotic figures in the duodenal crypts; markedly suppressed the inflammatory eicosanoid, prostaglandin E(2) in the liver; prevented liver hypertrophy; improved white blood cell counts; significantly increased red blood cell counts; decreased numbers of CPT-11 induced immature red blood cell and micronuclei in red blood cells of the peripheral blood; increased eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in liver cell membranes and maintained normal grooming behaviour. Thus 2% AAFA in the diet reduced the side effects of CPT-11 treatment in mice.