title: Docosahexaenoic acid enrichment can reduce L929 cell necrosis induced by tumor necrosis factor.
abstract: We previously reported that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) attenuated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced apoptosis in human monocytic U937 cells (J. Nutr. 130: 1095-1101, 2000). In the present study, we examined the effects of DHA and other polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on TNF-induced necrosis, another mode of cell death, using L929 murine fibrosarcoma cells. After preincubation with PUFA conjugated with BSA for 24 h, cells were treated with TNF or TNF+actinomycin D (Act D). Preincubation of cells with DHA enriched this polyunsaturated acid in the phospholipids and attenuated cell death induced by either TNF or TNF+Act D. When cells were treated with TNF alone, DNA laddering was not detected, and cells were coincidently stained with both annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide, indicating that the death mode was necrotic. TNF+Act D predominantly induced necrosis, although concurrent apoptotic cell death was also observed in this case. Preincubation with oleic acid, linoleic acid or 20:3(n-3) did not affect TNF-induced necrosis. Conversely, supplementation with n-3 docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn-3) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduced necrotic cell death, but to a lesser extent in comparison with DHA. Unlike the case of U937 cell apoptosis, arachidonic acid (AA) significantly attenuated L929 cell necrosis, and 20:3(n-6) or 22:4(n-6) showed similar or less activity, respectively. Statistical evaluation indicated that the order of effective PUFA activity was DHA>DPAn-3> or =EPA>AA approximately 20:3(n-6)> or =22:4(n-6). One step desaturation, C2 elongation or C2 cleavage within the n-6 or n-3 fatty acid group was probably very active in L929 cells, because AA, synthesized from 20:3(n-6) or 22:4(n-6), and C22 fatty acids, synthesized from AA or EPA, were preferentially retained in cellular phospholipids. These observations suggested that attenuation of TNF-induced necrosis by the supplementation of various C20 or C22 polyunsaturated fatty acids is mainly attributable to the enrichment of three kinds of polyunsaturated fatty acids, i.e., DHA, DPAn-3 or AA, in phospholipids. Among these fatty acids, DHA was the most effective in the reduction of L929 necrosis as observed in the case of U937 apoptosis. This suggests that DHA-enriched membranes can protect cell against TNF irrespective of death modes and that membranous DHA may abrogate the death signaling common to necrosis and apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Health Science, Hyogo University of Teacher Education, Yashiro, Hyogo 673-1494, Japan.
authors.forename: Etsu
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kishida
authors.forename: Michiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tajiri
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Masuzawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000187:drug effects*; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010743:Phospholipids; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003609:Dactinomycin; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids