Medium-Chain Fatty Acids and Breast Cancer Risk by Receptor and Pathological Subtypes

Abstract

Introduction: Medium-chain fatty acids contain 6–12 carbon atoms and are absorbed directly into the blood vessels, proceeding to the portal vein and, finally, to the liver, where they are immediately utilized for energy. We aimed to determine the medium-chain fatty acid levels in women with and without breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 women (100 breast cancer subjects and 100 control subjects) were recruited for the study as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Blood samples were collected for biochemical estimations. Fatty acid methyl esters were isolated, and medium-chain fatty acid levels in plasma were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC-FID). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 software; p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The fatty acid analysis revealed a significant decrease in the levels of caprylic acid (C:8) and lauric acid (C:12) and a significant increase in the level of capric acid (C:10) in the breast cancer subjects when compared to the control group. The level of caproic acid (C:6) was not significantly increased in the breast cancer subjects. In particular, the HER2- and ER-positive breast cancer subjects showed a decrease in their caprylic acid and lauric acid levels compared to other receptors. Conclusions: The results of the current study imply that lower levels of caprylic and lauric acid may be associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. The relevance of medium-chain fatty acids for preventive and therapeutic interventions will be amplified by further research on the possibility that alteration in a patient’s medium-chain fatty acid composition may mechanistically contribute to disease progression or breast cancer risk.

Association between dietary intake of saturated fatty acid subgroups and breast cancer risk

“…Consistent with our results, a case-control study examined plasma levels of medium-chain SFAs and observed that lower levels of caprylic acid (C8:0) and lauric acid (C12:0) might be associated with higher odds of breast cancer. 28 Furthermore, our results were in concordance with previous experimental studies on molecular mechanisms. In vivo studies on breast cancer cells demonstrated that medium-chain SFAs exert anticancer effects on human breast cancer cells by down-regulating cell cycle regulatory genes, and up-regulating genes related to apoptosis.…”

“…Food & Function cancer. 28 Furthermore, our results were in concordance with previous experimental studies on molecular mechanisms. In vivo studies on breast cancer cells demonstrated that mediumchain SFAs exert anticancer effects on human breast cancer cells by down-regulating cell cycle regulatory genes, and upregulating genes related to apoptosis.…”

“…The intake of energy (kcal per day), nutrients (g per day), and fatty acids (g per day) were calculated by multiplying the intake of each food item (g per day) by the corresponding nutrient content specified in the China Food Composition Table . In our study, we calculated the dietary intake of fatty acids, including medium-chain SFAs, long even-chain SFAs, long odd-chain SFAs and very long-chain SFAs, based on previous literature and study objectives. 27,28 Medium-chain SFAs were computed as the sum of caproic acid (C6:0), caprylic acid (C8:0), capric acid (C10:0), undecanoic acid (C11:0), and lauric acid (C12:0). Long even-chain SFAs were calculated as the combined total of myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), and stearic acid (C18:0).…”

“…25 The reason for the inconsistency in previous findings is probably that the majority of studies focused on total SFA intake without varying it by carbon chain lengths which may have different health effects. 26 Total SFA can be classified into four subgroups according to carbon chain lengths: mediumchain SFAs, long even-chain SFAs, long odd-chain SFAs, and very long-chain SFAs, 27,28 owing to the discrepancy in dietary sources and biological activity. Medium-chain SFAs, with 6-12 carbons in length, mainly derive from palm kernel oil, coconut oil, and dairy products.…”

“…Previous studies have indicated that medium-chain SFAs possess therapeutic potential as dietary components with anticancer properties, including in the context of breast cancer. 28,29 Similarly, long odd-chain SFAs have also been suggested to exert anti-carcinogenic effects on breast cancer cells. 33 In contrast, the potential effects of long even-chain SFAs remain a subject of controversy.…”