Differences in Fatty Acid Oxidation between Nab-Paclitaxel- and Solvent-Based Paclitaxel-Treated A549 Cells Based on Metabolomics

The pharmacokinetics, safety, and anticancer efficacy profiles of nanoparticle albumin-bound ( nab )-paclitaxel formulations are superior to those of solvent-based paclitaxel formulations. The aims of the present study were to study the effects of nab -paclitaxel and solvent-based paclitaxel formulations on the metabolic profiles of the model cell line (A549) and attempt to elucidate the associated metabolic pathways. A mass spectrometry-based cell metabolomics approach and viability evaluation were used to explore the potential difference. Western blotting was utilized to measure the levels of relevant proteins, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) activities were quantified. Fold changes normalized to controls in levels of carnitine and several acylcarnitines were significantly different ( p < 0.05) between A549 cells treated with nab -paclitaxel and those treated with solvent-based paclitaxel. Relative to the controls, there were also significant fold change differences in palmitic and linoleic acid levels in the cell lysates, mitochondrial CPT1 activities, and mitochondrial medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) protein levels in the A549 cells subjected to the nab -paclitaxel and solvent-based paclitaxel formulations. Results suggested that the two formulations differentially modulated fatty acid oxidation in the A549 cells. While cell viability results did not reveal significant differences, the findings implied that a mass spectrometry-based cell metabolomics approach could be a sensitive tool to explore the differences caused by formulation changes without using animals. Since uncertainties of products containing nanomaterials warrant holistic screening to address safety concerns, the aforementioned approach may be of regulatory importance and is worth further investigation.