the effect of omega fatty acids on bcl-2 gene expression and protein production in cancerous gastric tissue

Introduction: gastric cancer is the fourth common cancer and the second leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. omega fatty acids are a group of non-saturated fatty acids of long chains derive from linolenic, linoleic and oleic fatty acids. the current study aimed at examining the possible effects of oral administration of omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids on gastric cancer cell apoptosis in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma via the evaluation of bcl2 gene and protein expression. methods: in the present case-control study, a total of 34 patients with gastric cancer referring to the endoscopy clinic at tabriz university of medical sciences were selected and divided into 2 groups (n = 17). in group 1, patients were treated by platinum drugs without any supplementation and in group 2, patients were treated by platinum drugs supplemented with omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids over 3 courses, which each lasted 3 weeks. after stomach biopsy, rna extraction, cdna synthesis and real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-pcr) were performed. results: the results showed that bcl-2 gene and bcl2 protein expression in patients who received omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids with chemotherapy was lower than those of the ones who not received omega fatty acids. also, there was a significant decrease in bcl-2 gene expression (p < 0.05). conclusions: the oral administration of omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids with the chemotherapeutic drug cis-platinum in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma could decrease bcl-2 gene expression and bcl2 protein production in the cancerous gastric tissue.