title: Tocotrienol levels in adipose tissue of benign and malignant breast lumps in patients in Malaysia.
abstract: Data on dietary exposure to vitamin E by plasma or adipose tissue concentrations of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) in observational studies have failed to provide consistent support for the idea that alpha-T provides women with any protection from breast cancer. In contrast, studies indicate that alpha, gamma, and delta-tocotrienols but not alpha-T have potent anti-proliferative effects in human breast cancer cells. Our aim was to investigate whether there was a difference in tocopherol and tocotrienol concentrations in malignant and benign adipose tissue, in a Malaysian population consuming predominantly a palm oil diet. The study was undertaken using fatty acid levels in breast adipose tissue as a biomarker of qualitative dietary intake of fatty acids. The major fatty acids in breast adipose tissue of patients (benign and malignant) were oleic acid (45-46%), palmitic (28-29%) and linoleic (11-12%). No differences were evident in the fatty acid composition of the two groups. There was a significant difference (p=0.006) in the total tocotrienol levels between malignant (13.7 +/- 6.0 microg/g) and benign (20+/-6.0 microg/g) adipose tissue samples. However, no significant differences were seen in the total tocopherol levels (p=0.42) in the two groups. The study reveals that dietary intake influences adipose tissue fatty acid levels and that adipose tissue is a dynamic reservoir of fat soluble nutrients. The higher adipose tissue concentrations of tocotrienols in benign patients provide support for the idea that tocotrienols may provide protection against breast cancer.
authors: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, 6 Persiaran Insitusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Malaysia. sarnesar@mpob.gov.my
authors: Kalanithi
authors: K
authors: Nesaretnam
authors: Patricia Alison
authors: PA
authors: Gomez
authors: Kanga Rani
authors: KR
authors: Selvaduray
authors: Ghazali Abdul
authors: GA
authors: Razak
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D001940:Breast / Q000737:chemistry; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D009752:Nutritional Status; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000032:analysis*; D024508:Tocotrienols / Q000032:analysis*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D010938:Plant Oils; D024508:Tocotrienols; D014810:Vitamin E; D000073878:Palm Oil; D024505:Tocopherols