Abstract
Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids inhibit breast and prostate cancer cell growth. We previously showed that N-acylethanolamine derivatives of n-3 (n-3-NAE) are endocannabinoids, which regulate cancer cell proliferation. These n-3-NAE are synthesised in certain cells/tissues, after supplementing with fatty acids, however, no one has assessed whether and to what extent this occurs in cancer cells. We determined levels of endogenous n-3-NAEs in hormone sensitive and insensitive prostate and breast cancer cells and subsequent effects on other endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol), before and after supplementing with DHA and EPA fatty acids, using HPLC tandem mass spectrometry. This is the first study reporting that n-3-NAEs are synthesised from their parent n-3 fatty acids in cancer cells, regardless of tumour type, hormone status or the presence of fatty acid amide hydrolase. This could have important implications for the use of n-3 fatty acids as therapeutic agents in breast and prostate cancers expressing cannabinoid receptors.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 305-310 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids |
Volume | 85 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2011 |
Keywords
- eicosapentaenoic acid
- cannabinoid receptors
- anandamide
- ethanolamides
- proliferation
- apoptosis
- supplementation
- n-3 pufa
- prostate cancer
- endocannabinoid
- brain
- growth
- breast cancer
- n-acylethanolamine
- polyunsaturated fatty-acids