Everyone has heard that omega-3, that nutrient found mainly in fish, is good for health, isn't it? Well, a doctoral project, developed at PUCRS and in partnership with the InsCer Pre-Clinical Research Center, demonstrated that omega-3 is also beneficial to patients who have cancer and suffer from cachexia, which is weight loss during cancer treatment. The article has just been published in the international journal American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism.

The research was led by the current postdoctoral researcher at the Toxicology and Pharmacology Research Center (INTOX), Raquel Dal Sasso, who completed her doctorate at the PPG of Medicine and Health Sciences, in the area of ​​concentration in Biochemical Pharmacology and Molecular, from PUCRS School of Medicine, under the guidance of Profa. Maria Martha Campos.

The work showed that certain cell receptors respond beneficially when in contact with omega-3 and other similar fats. It was observed that when these receptors were activated, animals that presented cachexia had an important improvement in locomotor activity, inflammation, and recovery from fat loss, in addition to the maintenance of skeletal muscle. "The latter being two very important signs for the well-being and quality of life of the cancer patient", says Raquel.

In addition, it was seen that the brain activity of cachectic animals was decreased in different brain regions related to locomotor activity and appetite control, and that the activation of these omega-3 receptors improved this brain activity in these regions. < / p>

Raquel has developed work on small animals over the past few years and is happy with the results and the benefits that may arise. "In addition to confirming that the use of omega-3 is beneficial in cancer patients, we have shown that these receptors are promising targets as a therapeutic strategy for these cancer patients."