The in vitro effects of cigarette smoke on fatty acid metabolism are partially counteracted by simvastatin.
BACKGROUND
Statins enhance the synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) from their precursors both in vitro and in vivo. In particular, an increased conversion of linoleic acid (LA) and of alpha-linolenic acid to their derivatives is observed in cultured cells. On the contrary, cigarette smoke (CS) negatively and dose-dependently affects the LC-PUFA production.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of CS alone or with simvastatin, on [1-(14)C] LA metabolism in THP-1 cells.


RESULTS
CS inhibits LA conversion; after co-incubation, simvastatin nullifies the effects of CS, maintaining LA conversion comparable to controls. However, at the highest CS concentration, simvastatin is unable to counteract the effects of CS. Changes of LA conversion reflect the modulation of desaturase activities by simvastatin and CS.


CONCLUSIONS
CS decreases PUFA conversion and its effects are modulated by the opposite effect of statins. It can be speculated that statin treatments in smoking patients may provide some beneficial effects on PUFA metabolism in addition to lowering cholesterol levels.
Risé
P
P
Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milano-via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy. patrizia.rise@unimi.it
Ghezzi
S
S
Manzoni
C
C
Colombo
C
C
Galli
C
C
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000009:adverse effects*
D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D012906:Smoke; D019821:Simvastatin; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases