Dietary fat and natural killer cell activity.
Evidence from a number of sources implicates dietary fat in the etiology of various human cancers. We hypothesize a possible mechanism by which fat might increase tumorigenesis. Specifically, we discuss the connection between polyunsaturated fatty acids, prostaglandin synthesis, and the potential effect on Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. Polyunsaturated fatty acid-induced increases in series-2 prostaglandin synthesis could result in depressing NK-cell activity. As the first line of defense against tumor cells, NK-cell function may be particularly important in modifying cancer risk.
Barone
J
J
Division of Epidemiology, American Health Foundation, New York, NY 10017.
Hebert
J R
JR
D000818:Animals; D003043:Cocarcinogenesis; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000209:etiology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism
D004041:Dietary Fats; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D011453:Prostaglandins