title: Mechanisms of cell death of thymocytes induced by polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and trans-fatty acids.
abstract: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are rapidly cytotoxic to isolated murine thymocytes, and the degree of cell death has been correlated with changes in membrane fluidity, elevation of intracellular calcium concentration and generation of reactive oxygen species. We have compared the degree of cell death and increase in membrane fluidity of C-20 and C-22 omega-3 and 6 PUFAs to those induced by monounsaturated and trans-fatty acids, and find that concentrations which induce comparable increases in membrane fluidity do not cause comparable cell death. The C-18 omega-6 causes a decrease in membrane fluidity, yet is the most potent in causing cell death. Omega-6 PUFAs are more cytotoxic than omega-3 PUFAs, while monounsaturated and trans-fats show little cytotoxicity and only at much higher concentrations. Cell death is preceded by reductions of both plasma and mitochondrial membrane potential, and occurs via apoptosis. These results indicate that cell death is due to mechanisms other than changes in membrane fluidity.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahs
authors.forename: Aparna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Zafar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Aminov
authors.forename: David O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Carpenter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005454:Fluorescence Polarization; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids