title: Effects of gamma-linolenic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and ethanol on cultured human mammary carcinoma cells.
abstract: A number of fatty acids have been shown to inhibit the growth of malignant cells in vitro. In particular, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has been proposed to act as a precursor for the production of prostanoids especially prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). To test this hypothesis, the effects of GLA on cultured human breast carcinoma cells were compared with those of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) the metabolite of GLA and the immediate precursor of PGE1. The influence of ethanol (which has been shown to enhance conversion of DGLA to PGE1) on the actions of each of the fatty acids was also investigated. In contrast to the inhibitory effects observed with all concentrations of GLA cell growth was promoted by the presence of 50 micrograms DGLA. Ethanol reduced the action of both GLA and DGLA possibly due to some physicochemical reaction between the alcohol and the fatty acids. The fact that the actions of GLA were not mimicked by DGLA which is the next step towards PG production casts doubt upon the role of PGE1 as mediator of the effects which have been observed with GLA in malignant cells.
mesh_terms: D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000187:drug effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D006133:Growth Substances; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D000431:Ethanol; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid; D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid