The effect of three lipid emulsions differing in fatty acid composition on growth, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line.
OBJECTIVE
An in vitro study showed that a lipid emulsion containing fish oil (FO) slows the growth of colon cancer cells and enhances their sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (FU). The aim was to confirm this finding and to compare such an emulsion with an alternative to lowered n-6 fatty acid exposure.


METHODS
We determined the number of viable cells, apoptosis and cell cycle distribution of HT-29 cells after exposure to one of three lipid emulsions. Cell cycle distribution was also assessed after treatment with lipid emulsions and FU.


RESULTS
The lipid emulsion containing FO induced a significant growth inhibitory effect without changing the percentage of apoptotic cells. Exposure to the other lipid emulsions had no effect on growth and decreased apoptosis. Each lipid emulsion potentiated the S phase-halting effect of 1 and 10microM FU. This effect also occurred at 0.1microM FU when the cells were exposed to the FO containing lipid emulsion.


CONCLUSIONS
A lipid emulsion containing FO has a growth inhibitory effect on a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, an effect not due to the induction of apoptosis, and potentiated the S phase-halting effect of FU. Thus, an FO lipid emulsion may be of benefit in colorectal cancer.
Sala-Vila
Aleix
A
Institute of Human Nutrition and Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Division, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.
Folkes
Jacqueline
J
Calder
Philip C
PC
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis; D002452:Cell Count; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002470:Cell Survival; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000494:pharmacology; D018565:Food-Drug Interactions; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D016196:S Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000737:chemistry; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005395:Fish Oils; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; C008288:Lipofundin; D013012:Sorbitol; D013024:Soybean Oil; D005472:Fluorouracil