Omega 3-fats that are found mostly in fish oils and some seeds and nuts, significantly inhibit the growth of liver cancer cells in humans according to a team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh. The two studies dealing on such a claim has been presented very recently at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

According to the investigators, the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cancer cells likely is due to the induction of apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Indeed, the investigators found that DHA treatment induced the splitting up, or cleavage, of an Enzyme in the cell nucleus known as poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerase, or PARP, which is involved in repairing DNA damage, mediating apoptosis and regulating immune response. The cleavage of this enzyme is considered a tell-tale indicator of apoptosis. Furthermore, DHA and EPA treatment indirectly decreased the levels of another protein known as beta-catenin, an overabundance of which has been linked to the development of various tumors.

Omega3-fats may indeed be an effective therapy for both the treatment and prevention of human liver cancers.

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