EFFECTS OF FISH-OIL ON FECAL BILE-ACID EX CRETION IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS

Several studies indicated a protective effect of fish oil on colon car cionogenesis which might be due to alterations in prostaglandin E(2) s ynthesis of the colonic mucosa. Additional effects on fecal bile acid excretion may also play a role since especially secondary bile acids a re known to act as promoters in colon cancer development. In the prese nt study possible influences on bile acid excretion were investigated in 12 healthy volunteers whose daily diet was supplemented for 4 weeks with 11 g of fish oil (FO) and corn oil (CO) per day, respectively. F ecal bile acids were analyzed by gas-liquid-chromatography. Fecal excr etion of total bile acids was not different during the periods of FO a nd CO-supplementation (301.9 vs. 320.3 mg/day). However, a non-signifi cant trend to a lower daily excretion of the secondary bile acid litho cholic acid was found after FO compared to CO-ingestion (99.6 vs. 109. 4 mg/day; p = 0.22). Since secondary bile acids are known promoters of colon carcinogenesis, these findings may implicate a favorable situat ion with respect to colon cancer prevention.