THE ALDEHYDIC METABOLITES OF LINOLEIC-ACID ARE CYTOTOXIC AGAINST HUMAN BREAST-CANCER CELLS

The cytotoxic effect of aldehydic metabolites of linoleic acid, 13-oxo-tridecadienoic acids, on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells was investigated. The metabolites inhibited the growth of the cancer cells and the effect was dependent on both time of exposure and concentration of the metabolites; 50% growth inhibition occurred at approximately 55 and 33-mu-M, after 3- and 5-day incubations, respectively. The metabolites had greater cytotoxicity than parent linoleic acid or other polyunsaturated fatty acids tested. The antiproliferative effect was partially reversed by 10-mu-M of dithiothreitol suggesting that attack on thiol groups in cancer cells by highly reactive alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl moiety in the metabolites was responsible for the cytotoxic actions.