Induction of Apoptosis by the Medium-Chain Length Fatty Acid Lauric Acid in Colon Cancer Cells due to Induction of Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Background: Fatty acids are classified as short-chain (SCFA), medium-chain (MCFA) or long-chain and hold promise as adjunctive chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The antineoplastic potential of MCFA remains underexplored; accordingly, we compared the MCFA lauric acid (C12:0) to the SCFA butyrate (C4:0) in terms of their capacity to induce apoptosis, modify glutathione (GSH) levels, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), and modify phases of the cell cycle in Caco-2 and IEC-6 intestinal cell lines. Methods: Caco-2 and IEC-6 cells were treated with lauric acid, butyrate, or vehicle controls. Apoptosis, ROS, and cell cycle analysis were determined by flow cytometry. GSH availability was assessed by enzymology. Results: Lauric acid induced apoptosis in Caco-2 (p < 0.05) and IEC-6 cells (p < 0.05) compared to butyrate. In Caco-2 cells, lauric acid reduced GSH availability and generated ROS compared to butyrate (p < 0.05). Lauric acid reduced Caco-2 and IEC-6 cells in G0/G1and arrested cells in the S and G2/M phases. Lauric acid induced apoptosis in IEC-6 cells compared to butyrate (p < 0.05). Butyrate protected IEC-6 cells from ROS-induced damage, whereas lauric acid induced high levels of ROS compared to butyrate. Conclusion: Compared to butyrate, lauric acid displayed preferential antineoplastic properties, including induction of apoptosis in a CRC cell line.

Various Acylglycerols from Common Oils Exert Different Antitumor Activities on Colorectal Cancer Cells

“…4), in a more intense form than the completely hydrolyzed fractions, with the FFA fraction from coconut oil being the most active. Previously, it has been noted that capric (CA,10:0) and LaA (12:0), which are the major components of coconut oil, potentially enhanced Ca absorption in vivo (22), as well as that Ca at 1,000 mM was effective in inducing apoptosis in Caco-2 and IEC-6 cell lines, due to oxidative stress induction via a p53-independent pathway (23). Probably, some FFAs from coconut oil act through this mechanism, thus the noted cytotoxic effect could be due to an interaction among all FAs.…”

Isoflavones and Other Compounds from the Roots of Iris marsica I. Ricci E Colas. Collected from Majella National Park, Italy

“…In particular, margaric acid exerts a potent protective action against type-2 diabetes [39]. At its own time, lauric acid has antibacterial [40], antiviral [41] and strong cytotoxic [42] activities and, moreover, is able to decrease the ratio between total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol on which it, actually, acts [43]. Lastly, palmitic acid displays antioxidant and selective cytotoxic properties [44].…”

Wartość zdrowotna produktów kokosowych

“…Wykazano także hamowanie przerostu gruczołu krokowego szczurów przez kwasy laurynowy i mirystynowy [48,49]. Kwas laurynowy in vitro indukuje apoptozę komórek rakowych jelita grubego (CRC) [50]. Dodanie oleju kokosowego do tkankowej hodowli komórek ludzkiego gruczolaka okrężnicy znacząco hamowało rozrost złośliwych komórek jelita grubego HT-29 (kwas laurynowy w większym stopniu hamował wzrost tych komórek niż kwas linolowy), nie wpływając jednocześnie na komórki prawidłowe [51].…”