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The Depressive Effects of 5,8,11-Eicosatrienoic Acid (20:3n-9) on Osteoblasts

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Lipids

Abstract

In cases of essential fatty acid deficiency, 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid (Mead acid, 20:3n-9) is synthesized from oleic acid as a 20-carbon analog of arachidonic acid. It was reported that 20:3n-9 levels were markedly higher in human fetal cartilage than in the muscle, liver and spleen. We, therefore, hypothesized that 20:3n-9 decreased osteoblastic activity. Goldfish scales were incubated either with 20:3n-9 or with oleic acid at 15 °C for 6 and 18 h. Both osteoblastic and osteoclastic activities in the scale were assessed by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, respectively. MC3T3-E1 cells (an osteoblast cell line derived from the mouse) were incubated with 20:3n-9 or oleic acid at 37 °C for 6 and 18 h. ALP activity in cell lysate was measured. In the case of experiments with scales, 20:3n-9 (1–100 μM) significantly suppressed osteoblastic activity after 6 and 18 h of incubation, whereas oleic acid did not change this activity. Osteoclastic activity was not affected either by 20:3n-9 or by oleic acid. In the case with the cell line, osteoblastic activity was again significantly decreased with 20:3n-9 (10–30 μM) after 6-h incubation but not after 18 h incubation. The presence of 20:3n-9 in fetal cartilage may be important for the prevention of calcification in the cartilage. 20:3n-9 could be applied to some clinical situations where bone formation should be inhibited.

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Abbreviations

20:3n-9:

5,8,11-Eicosatrienoic acid (20:3n-9, Mead acid)

AA:

Arachidonic acid

ALP:

Alkaline phosphatase

TRAP:

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase

CF:

Cystic fibrosis

RANK:

Receptor activator of NF-κB

RANKL:

Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand

LTB4 :

Leukotriene B4

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Ms. Hiroko Hamatani for her technical assistance. This work was partly supported by Open Research Center, Kinjogakuin University, and Polyene Project, Ltd.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama, Toyama, 9300194, Japan

    Tomohito Hamazaki & Kei Hamazaki

  2. Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Housu-gun, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan

    Nobuo Suzuki

  3. Department of Natural Products Chemistry, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan

    Retno Widyowati & Shigetoshi Kadota

  4. Department of Human Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan

    Tatsuro Miyahara & Hiroshi Ochiai

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  1. Tomohito Hamazaki
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  2. Nobuo Suzuki
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  3. Retno Widyowati
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  4. Tatsuro Miyahara
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  7. Kei Hamazaki
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Correspondence to Tomohito Hamazaki.

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Hamazaki, T., Suzuki, N., Widyowati, R. et al. The Depressive Effects of 5,8,11-Eicosatrienoic Acid (20:3n-9) on Osteoblasts. Lipids 44, 97–102 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-008-3252-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-008-3252-8

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