Long-chain omega-3 fatty acid (LCn3) with MAG-EPA improves urinary irritation and bowel function in patients treated with radical prostatectomy.
Prostate cancer is a highly prevalent cancer that can negatively affect patients’ quality of life. Radical prostatectomy is a common treatment for intermediate- to high-grade prostate cancer, but it often has side effects such as sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Nutritional interventions, including long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (LCn3) supplementation, may be a low-cost way to improve the quality of life of prostate cancer patients. Previous studies suggest that LCn3 may reduce inflammation, which is often associated with urinary symptoms. While some studies have found associations between LCn3 intake and prostate-specific symptoms, no trial has evaluated the effect of LCn3 supplementation on PCa-specific quality of life in men treated for prostate cancer. This trial, published in the journal Nutrients, determined the effects of a daily LCn3 supplementation on PCa-specific quality of life in patients treated by radical prostatectomy.
Study Parameters at the Baseline
The study enrolled 130 patients who were randomized to receive either MAG-EPA (a highly purified, prescription-only, omega-3 fatty acid supplement) or a placebo daily for one year. The groups had no significant baseline characteristics except BMI, grade group, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk. The quality of life scores for both groups were high in all domains except sexual function, which showed lower scores. The mean score of both urinary irritation function and bowel function were higher for the placebo group, although these were not statistically significant.
Urinary Irritation and Bowel Function in Prostate Cancer Patients
At the 12-month follow-up, the urinary irritation score was significantly improved in the MAG-EPA group compared to the placebo group. Similarly, bowel function was significantly improved in the MAG-EPA group, with no difference observed between the groups.
Adverse Events and Adherence
Reported adverse events for the entire study in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy were expected, and their frequencies were < 5% for all reported symptoms and similar between groups. Withdrawal from the study due to adverse events occurred more often in the MAG-EPA group. Adherence to the intervention was excellent.
Source:
Moussa, H., Robitaille, K., Pelletier, J. F., Tourigny, R., Fradet, Y., Lacombe, L., Toren, P., Lodde, M., Tiguert, R., Dujardin, T., Caumartin, Y., Duchesne, T., Julien, P., Savard, J., Diorio, C., & Fradet, V. (2023). Effects of Concentrated Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Quality of Life after Radical Prostatectomy: A Phase II Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial (RCT-EPA). Nutrients, 15(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061369
