Altered free fatty acids levels and the onset of metabolic syndrome in childhood cancer survivors

Abstract

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at increased risk for various health issues, including obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, resulting in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) later in life. It has been suggested that anticancer treatment may lead to alterations in lipid metabolism, which play a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome among CCS. The prospective study included 110 CCS, with a follow-up time of 6.39 years since the end of treatment. Fasting serum of fourteen fatty acids concentrations were measured in all children using gas-liquid chromatography. Among the study group, 41 CCS (37%) met 1 or more criteria for metabolic syndrome and exhibited higher concentrations of myristic (P = 0.002), palmitic (P = 0.003), stearic (P = 0.017), oleic (P = 0. 019), arachidonic (P = 0.002), lignoceric (P = 0.005), docosahexaenoic (P = 0.005), and total fatty acids compared to CCS without metabolic syndrome factors. Additionally, overweight or obese CCS presented higher levels of myristic (P = 0.048), palmitic (P = 0.016), oleopalmitic (P = 0.019), stearic (P = 0.024), oleic (P = 0.020), α-linoleic (P = 0.023) and behenic (P = 0.036) acids compared to survivors with a normal BMI. Childhood cancer survivors develop abnormalities in lipid metabolism, which may contribute to an earlier onset of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, overweight or obesity significantly exacerbates changes in lipid metabolism.