A compound found in fish oil, which apparently kills leukaemia stem cells, may lead to the cure of the disease, a new study including Indian origin researcher has revealed.
The compound, delta-12-protaglandin J3, or D12-PGJ3 targeted and killed the stem cells of chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML, in mice, according to Sandeep Prabhu, associate professor of immunology and molecular toxicology in the Department of Veterinary and Medical Sciences.
He said that the compound is produced from EPA, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, an Omega-3 fatty acid found in fish and in fish oil.
"Research in the past on fatty acids has shown the health benefits of fatty acids on cardiovascular system and brain development, particularly in infants, but we have shown that some metabolites of Omega-3 have the ability to selectively kill the leukemia-causing stem cells in mice,” said Prabhu. "The important thing is that the mice were completely cured of leukemia with no relapse,” he noted.
Penn State researchers said that the compound kills cancer-causing stem cells in the mice’s spleen and bone marrow. Specifically, it activates a gene p53 in the leukemia stem cell that programs the cell’s own death. "p53 is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates the response to DNA damage and maintains genomic stability,” Prabhu stated.
Killing the stem cells in leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells, is important because stem cells can divide and produce more cancer cells, as well as create more stem cells, he explained.
Robert Paulson, associate professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences, who co—directed this research with Prabhu said that the current therapy for CML extends the patient’s life by keeping the number of leukemia cells low, but the drugs fail to completely cure the disease because they do not target leukemia stem cells.
During the experiments, the researchers injected each mouse with about 600 nanograms of D12—PGJ3 each day for a week. Tests showed that the mice were completely cured of the disease. The blood count was normal, and the spleen returned to normal size. The disease did not relapse.
The study has been recently published in Blood.
Keywords: fish oil, leukemia, cancer cells
The article has incorrect headline. Eicosapentaenoic acid is also available through sources other than fish, in particular human milk (so please breastfeed your babies, modern women!), and microalgae. Fish actually do not manufacture it themselves. They obtain it through microalgae. Microalgae, and supplements derived from it, are excellent alternative sources of EPA and other fatty acids, since fish often contain toxins due to pollution. Virtually, all varieties of fishes listed are overfished and are in serious trouble (close to extinction). News papers are not scientific journals where you just report the experimental findings with no regards to practical life and other considerations. Science journalists need to provide proper perspective since people depend on news sources too, for making decisions.
Kind of fish is also an important factor. Many think, large and costly fishes are best. But, cheap and small fishes are the most beneficial ones. Fishes like Sardine, Mackerel, Tuna etc have many pro-health effects.
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