Altered plasma phospholipid fatty acids and nutritional status in patients with uterine cervical cancer

SummaryBackground & aimsLittle is known about the fatty acid status of uterine cervical neoplasm patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the plasma phospholipid fatty acid (FA) profile along with nutrition status of cervical cancer patients.MethodsA controlled cross-sectional study with uterine cervical cancer patients virgin of treatment was conducted. Nutritional status, nutrient intake and plasma phospholipid FA were evaluated.ResultsPatients had lost weight in relation to their weight 6 months prior (5.1 ± 8.8%) (p < 0.01). Compared to the control group and their usual intake, patients ingested less energy (p < 0.01). Patients also ingested less protein (p < 0.01) and 18:3n-3 FA (p < 0.05), compared to the control group. Patients plasma concentrations of 18:0, 24:0 FA and the 18:0/18:1 FA ratio were higher (p < 0.001), and 16:0 (p = 0.001) and 18:2n-6 (p = 0.02) concentrations were lower than that of the control group.ConclusionsThe weight loss and low nutrient intake among patients suggest the importance of nutrition intervention at an early stage of the diagnosis and plasma 18:0/18:1 FA ratio may be an indirect marker of FA metabolism disregulation in these patients.