Intake of a-linolenic acid and other fatty acids in relation to the risk of bladder cancer: results from the New Hampshire case�control study
Intake of a-linolenic acid and other fatty acids in relation to the risk of bladder cancer: results from the New Hampshire case�control study
Year: 2011
Authors: Brinkman, M.T. Karagas, M.R. Zens, M.S. Schned, A.R. Reulen, R.C. Zeegers, M.P.
Publication Name: Brit. J. Nutr.
Publication Details: Vol. 107; No. 7; Pages 1 – 8
Abstract:
The role of dietary fat in bladder cancer aetiology is currently unclear due to few studies, equivocal findings and a lack of information on important dietary fatty acids. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the intake of major dietary fats and fatty acids and the risk of bladder cancer. A case�control study was conducted in New Hampshire, USA. Dietary data were collected from 322 cases and 239 controls, and OR and 95% CI were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. Adjustment was made for potential confounders: sex, age, smoking status, pack-years smoked, cholesterol and energy intake. Statistically significant reduced odds of bladder cancer were observed for high intakes (highest quartile v. lowest quartile) of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10, 0.65; P for trend<0.01) and vegetable fat (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18, 0.86; P for trend<0.03). Borderline statistically significant reduced odds were detected for polyunsaturated fat (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.19, 0.98; P for trend<0.07) and linoleic acid (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.19, 0.96; P for trend <0.06). These fats and fatty acids were highly correlated and following adjustment for each other, the only potential inverse association to remain was for ALA. The present findings suggest that ALA may have a protective role against developing bladder cancer; however, further investigation and replication in other epidemiological studies are required. Future research should focus on the type, source and quantities of different dietary fatty acids consumed. (Author's Abstract)
Diets higher in total fat have been associated with higher incidence of bladder cancer. There are many inconsistencies however, in the literature which may be due to the fact that animal and vegetable sources, as well as plant sources and different fatty acids have not been adequately assessed. To date, few epidemiological studies have examined the relationship between bladder cancer and the major subgroups of dietary fat. A Serbian case�control study on bladder cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate major dietary fats and fatty acids to determine whether and to what extent they may influence the risk of bladder cancer. The findings show a strong and consistent inverse association of bladder cancer with the intake of ALA. This is one of the first epidemiological studies to investigate the association between dietary fat intake and bladder cancer (i.e. previous work has focused on other sites such as prostate, breast, colon, etc) that examined the effect of different fatty acids. An earlier study found that levels for most of the EFA, including LA, AA and metabolites of ALA, were significantly lower for bladder cancer patients compared with the controls. Consistent with a few previous studies, no association between bladder cancer risk and intake of EPA and DHA was detected. The authors concluded that since dietary fat is a heterogeneous macronutrient, the effects of individual fatty acids need to be examined separately. While the study suggests that ALA may have a protective role against developing bladder cancer, further replication in other studies is required. (Editor's Comments)
Diets higher in total fat have been associated with higher incidence of bladder cancer. There are many inconsistencies however, in the literature which may be due to the fact that animal and vegetable sources, as well as plant sources and different fatty acids have not been adequately assessed. To date, few epidemiological studies have examined the relationship between bladder cancer and the major subgroups of dietary fat. A Serbian case�control study on bladder cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate major dietary fats and fatty acids to determine whether and to what extent they may influence the risk of bladder cancer. The findings show a strong and consistent inverse association of bladder cancer with the intake of ALA. This is one of the first epidemiological studies to investigate the association between dietary fat intake and bladder cancer (i.e. previous work has focused on other sites such as prostate, breast, colon, etc) that examined the effect of different fatty acids. An earlier study found that levels for most of the EFA, including LA, AA and metabolites of ALA, were significantly lower for bladder cancer patients compared with the controls. Consistent with a few previous studies, no association between bladder cancer risk and intake of EPA and DHA was detected. The authors concluded that since dietary fat is a heterogeneous macronutrient, the effects of individual fatty acids need to be examined separately. While the study suggests that ALA may have a protective role against developing bladder cancer, further replication in other studies is required. (Editor's Comments)
