Inhibitory effects of medium-chain fatty acids on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells via suppression of Akt/mTOR pathway and modulating the Bcl-2 family protein.

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) have 6-12 carbon atoms and are instantly absorbed into the bloodstream before traveling to the portal vein and the liver, where they are immediately used for energy and may have antitumor effects. Its role in breast cancer is poorly understood. To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of MCFAs in breast cancer cells, cell viability assay, colony formation assay, cell migration assay, cell invasion assay, nuclear morphology, cell cycle assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), apoptosis, RT-qPCR analysis, and Western blot analysis were performed. In the present study, MCFA treatments reduced proliferative capability, increased ROS level, increased the depletion of MMP, induced G0/G1 and S phase cell cycle arrest, and late apoptosis of breast cancer cells in an effective concentration. Besides, MCFA treatment contributed to the upregulation of proapoptotic protein (BAK) and caspase-3, and the downregulation of antiapoptotic protein (Bcl-2). Mechanistically, phosphorylation levels of EGFR, Akt, and mTOR were significantly reduced in breast cancer cells treated with MCFAs. However, no significant changes in apoptosis and signaling-related proteins were observed in lauric acid-treated ER-positive cancer cells. Our findings suggested that MCFAs suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. MCFAs may be a promising therapeutic drug for treating breast cancer.

Single nucleotide polymorphism of fatty acid desaturase gene and breast cancer risk in estrogen receptor subtype.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer of women and the second most common cancer overall globally. Data suggest that the plasma concentration of omega fatty acids (n-3 and n-6) and the impact of the genetic variant are associated with diet-related inflammatory disease, BC. This study was aimed to find an association between genetic variant rs174537 of fatty acid desaturase gene 1(FADS 1) and breast cancer estrogen receptor subtype. METHODOLOGY: Hundred and two blood samples from women were quantified for fatty acids by gas chromatography. SNP rs 174537(G > T) showed maximum variability and the strongest genetic determinant in the Genome-wide association study were genotyped using Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The highest tertile of ALA showed a significantly reduced risk of BC compared to the lowest tertile (OR = 0.2, 95 %CL = 0.1-1.14, P = 0.03). Median values of ALA were higher in GT/TT genotype in ER +ve molecular subtype (P = 0.03) and DPA was higher in GG genotype of ER-ve molecular subtype (P = 0.037). When both the groups were put together the highest tertile of GG tertile showed significantly reduced risk of BC compared with the other lowest tertiles of GG and GT/TT genotypes (OR, 95% CL = 0.45(0.2-0.9). CONCLUSION: The high levels of arachidonic acid and low levels of n-3 fatty acids result in a pro-inflammatory milieu and that these pro-inflammatory effects might contribute to BC. We conclude that the individuals with genetically determined lower activity of FADS1(minor allele T) will derive greater advantage from n-3 FAs than those with higher FADS1 activity (G allele) and reduce the BC risk.

Alpha1-antitrypsin combined fatty acids induced angiopoietin-like protein 4, expression in breast cancer: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of nutrition on inflammation and breast cancer (BC) prognosis is still inconclusive. Mechanism of data suggests that different types of fatty acids (FAs) play an essential role in carcinogenesis, and binding of alpha 1 antitrypsin (A1AT) may modulate carcinogenesis. The increased expression in the bound form of A1AT and release of Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) targets the gene of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ). Our aim of the study was to compare the effect of FA-free (A1AT-0) and FAs bound forms of A1AT on levels of IL-1ß, PPAR-gamma, and Angplt4 in breast cancer and control women. METHODOLOGY: 10 women with breast cancer and ten control women within the age group 25-60 years with normal (Pi) M allele A1AT were recruited. Mononuclear cells were isolated and treated with different A1AT and FAs on the various combinations (linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid) for time-dependent study (2,4,18 and 24 h) and analyzed for the interleukin -1 beta(IL-1b), PPAR-gamma, and Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) expression by using ELISA method and gas chromatography for analyzing FAs. One-way ANOVA combined with multiple comparisons is used to compare the means. RESULTS: 100% of the study subjects were homozygous for the normal allele of A1AT. Time-dependent effects of A1AT and A1AT conjugated fatty acids on IL-I b, PPAR-g and Angptl4 showed statistically significant P = 0.07, P = 0.001, and P = 0.02 respectively, compared to those of the former study subjects. But within the groups, PPAR-g levels in case group (F(15,40)1.606, P = 0.003) and Angptl4 in the control group (F(15,32)0.64, P = 0.043) differed significantly. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, it's the first kind of study, and we speculate that the A1AT complex with different types of FAs results in a new form of A1AT having a solid capability to regulate the inflammation-induced synthesis, processing, and release of an active form of IL-1ß. Our experimental data shows that the anti-inflammatory property of A1AT combined FAs likely to be mediated PPAR γand Angptl4 activation, thereby inhibiting the IL-1b. These findings may be worth assessing BC's biological effects and therapeutic effectiveness.

Association of FADS2 rs174575 gene polymorphism and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Many risk factors contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes. Gene and lifestyle factors are considered to be the major contributors. A dietary pattern is attributed to be one of the lifestyle risk factors favoring diabetes. The present study aims to find an association between fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene polymorphism and glycemic profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODOLOGY: A total of 429 subjects were included in the study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, of which 213 and 216 subjects were diabetic and control, respectively. Body mass index was calculated. Fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin were measured using commercially available kits. rs174575 of FADS2 was selected based on previous publications and identified using the dbSNP database. To compare the biochemical parameters with the genotype, the following three models were used: additive model (CC vs CG vs GG), dominant model (CC + CG vs GG), and recessive model (CC vs CG + GG). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: FBS, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-B exhibited a high and statistically significant difference between subjects and controls. The three models exhibited a statistically significant difference between FBS, HOMA-IR, and HOMA- B (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The distribution of rs174575 genotype differed significantly between the subjects and controls in the present study. The study revealed that genetic variation in FADS2 is an additional facet to consider while studying the risk factors of T2DM.

Role of astaxanthin in the modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and spatial learning behavior in perinatally undernourished Wistar rats.

Objective: Maternal health and nutrition during the perinatal period is the predominant factor influencing the functional development of the brain. Maternal malnutrition during the perinatal period causes retardation of brain development. The current study investigates the role of Astaxanthin (AsX) in spatial learning and memory and BDNF in perinatally undernourished Wistar rats.Methods: The albino wistar rats were perinatally undernourished and administered with different dosages of AsX. The spatial learning and memory performance and BDNF level were assessed. Data were collected and analysed.Results: The % Correct choice during the acquisition phase, performance at the end of the acquisition phase and the mean BDNF level at the Hippocampus, Cerebellum, and Cerebral cortex showed significant decline (P<0.001) in the PUN group and significantly high (P<0.001) in the PUNA2 group compared to the control. However, the mean RME and mean WME during different days of the acquisition phase were significantly high (P<0.001) in the PUN group and insignificant (P>0.05) in PUNA2 compared to the control.Discussion: The results showed that AsX effectively modulated the cognitive deficit that occurred in perinatally undernourished rats. This can be attributed to BDNF upregulation as evidenced by the significant increase of the BDNF level.

Anti-aging Role of Curcumin by Modulating the Inflammatory Markers in Albino Wistar Rats.

PURPOSE: Advanced age is associated with an accumulation of free radical damage, which leads to physiological and clinical modifications. Numerous pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals are considered to influence longevity and prompting healthy ageing. Therefore, the current study attempted to investigate Curcumin's role in the inflammatory indices as anti-ageing marker in albino Wistar rats. METHODS: Twelve months old rats were used in the study, grouped as Normal control (NC), Sham control (SC), Curcumin-1, Curcumin-2 and Curcumin-3. Last three groups received Curcumin at the dosages of 100 mg, 200 mg and 400 mg/kg body weight respectively. After six months of intervention, blood was collected for the estimation of C-reactive protein (CRP), Serum Albumin, Globulin, Lymphocyte percentage, Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Nitric Oxide (NO) level using standard procedures. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in the CRP level (p < 0.05) in rats treated with 200 mg and 400 mg of Curcumin/kg body weight. The MDA level was found to be significantly increased (p < 0.05) in animals fed with 400 mg of Curcumin/kg body weight as compared to NC. The NO level was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in rats treated with 200 and 400 mg of Curcumin/kg body weight. CONCLUSION: Finding of the study suggests that Curcumin exhibits favorable influence in slowing down of ageing process by suppressing age-related changes in inflammatory indices.

Simple, fast and efficient synthesis of ß-keto esters from the esters of heteroaryl compounds, its antimicrobial study and cytotoxicity towards various cancer cell lines.

A series of ß-keto esters were synthesized from heteroaryl esters and ethyl acetate using LiHMDS as base at -50 to -30 °C. The increase in yields of cross condensed product were observed and the percentage of self condensed product was reduced drastically by applying the suitable base (LiHMDS), solvent and the minimum amount of ethyl acetate. All these ß-keto esters were characterized using (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and mass spectral data. A plausible mechanism is also depicted to prove the formation of trans-esterified products. All the synthesized compounds were subjected to test for their cytotoxicity towards various cancer cell lines and also tested for their antimicrobial activity towards various bacterial and fungal strains and some of them were found to have promising activity.

Synthesis of some novel bioactive 4-oxy/thio substituted-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-ones via efficient cross-Claisen condensation.

alpha-Oxy/thio substituted-beta-keto esters were synthesized through an efficient cross-Claisen condensation of aryl oxy/thio acetic acid ethyl esters with acid chlorides, then it is converted in situ into 4-oxy/thio substituted-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-ones by the addition of hydrazine or hydrazine derivatives and screened for their antibacterial, antifungal activities.

Synthesis of some bioactive 2-bromo-5-methoxy-N'-[4-(aryl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]benzohydrazide derivatives.

Eight novel 2-bromo-5-methoxy-N'-[4-(aryl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]benzohydrazide derivatives were prepared and characterized by analytical and spectral analyses. All the compounds were screened for their analgesic, antifungal and antibacterial activities and three of the compounds were screened for antiproliferative activity. Two of the newly synthesized compounds exhibited promising analgesic activity and one compound exhibited in vitro antiproliferative activity.

Synthesis of some new bioactive 3-amino-2-mercapto-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro[1]benzothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivatives.

Nine new 2-(substituted phenyl)/alkyl[1,3,4]thiadiazolo[2,3-b]-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrobenzo(b)thieno[3,2-e]pyrimidin-5(4H)-ones, six new 3-amino-2-[(2-oxo-2-(aryl)ethyl)thio]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro[1]benzothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones, one 2-mercapto[1,3,4]thiadiazolo[2,3-b]-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrobenzo(b)thieno[3,2-e]pyrimidin-5(4H)-one and one 2-chloromethyl[1,3,4]thiadiazolo[2,3-b]-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrobenzo(b)thieno[3,2-e]pyrimidin-5(4H)-one were synthesized from 3-amino-2-mercapto-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro[1]benzothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by analytical and spectral data. Compounds were screened for anti-inflammatory, CNS depressant and antimicrobial activities. Some of the compounds exhibited promising biological activities.

Synthesis and studies on some new fluorine containing triazolothiadiazines as possible antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer agents.

Synthesis of a series of 7-arylidene-6-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-aryloxymethyl/anilinomethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazines (3) by the condensation of 3-aryl-1-(2,4-dichloro-5-fluorophenyl)-2-bromo-propen-1-one (1) and 4-amino-5-mercapto-3-aryloxymethyl/anilinomethyl-1,2,4-triazoles (2) is described. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis IR, 1H NMR and mass spectral data. These compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus (Smith), Psuedomonas aeruginosa (Gessard), Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans. Some of the newly synthesized compounds were also screened for their anticancer activity. Among them compounds 3m, 3o, 3q showed in vitro anticancer activity.