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Fatty Acid and Retinoid Modulation of Breast Cancer Progression
Author(s) -
Hawk Susan N.,
Brown David
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.928.20
Subject(s) - retinoid , linoleic acid , fenretinide , fatty acid , cell growth , alpha linolenic acid , linolenic acid , metastasis , metabolism , fatty acid metabolism , endocrinology , breast cancer , chemistry , omega 3 fatty acid , medicine , biochemistry , biology , cancer research , cancer , polyunsaturated fatty acid , docosahexaenoic acid , retinoic acid , gene
Omega‐3 fatty acids present in fish oils optimize health by decreasing the risk of breast and other cancers. Omega‐6 fats are not associated with this health benefit. In animal models, omega‐3 fatty acids can decrease the incidence, growth and metastasis of mammary tumors. In vitro, these fatty acids have growth regulatory effects against breast cancer cells similar to those observed with retinoids. However, the effect of select fatty acids on retinoid metabolism in mammary carcinoma cells is unknown. The objective of this experiment was to ascertain if omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids augment retinoid uptake and metabolism. To facilitate this study, we investigated the relationship between 2.5 uM linolenic or linoleic acid alone and in conjunction with 1 uM all trans retinoid acid (atRA) on MCF‐7 cell growth. After 72 hours, atRA alone and linolenic acid alone, slowed cell growth 40–50% and 25–30%, respectively. Linoleic acid was not affective in slowing cancer cell growth. Interestingly, when treated with atRA and linolenic acid together, cell growth was 70–75% less than controls, and 40% more effective than linolenic acid alone. Thus, omega‐3, but not omega‐6, fatty acids may enhance retinoid uptake and metabolism and potentiate their differentiative and growth regulatory properties. Funded by California Polytechnic State University Agricultural Research Initiative Grant 49635.