Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of tocotrienols on the growth of a human breast cancer cell line in culture

  • Symposium
  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

The tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) of palm oil consists of tocotrienols and some α-tocopherol (α-T). Tocotrienols are a form of vitamin E having an unsaturated side-chain, rather than the saturated side-chain of the more common tocopherols. Because palm oil has been shown not to promote chemically-induced mammary carcinogenesis, we tested effects of TRF and α-T on the proliferation, growth, and plating efficiency (PE) of MDA-MB-435 estrogen-receptor-negative human breast cancer cells. TRF inhibited the proliferation of these cells with a concentration required to inhibit cell proliferation by 50% of 180 μg/mL, whereas α-T had no effect at concentrations up to 1000 μg/mL as measured by incorporation of [3H]thymidine. The effects of TRF and α-T also were tested in longer-term growth experiments, using concentrations of 180 and 500 μg/mL. We found that TRF inhibited the growth of these cells by 50%, whereas α-T did not. Their effect on the ability of these cells to form colonies also was studied, and it was found that TRF inhibited PE, whereas α-T had no effect. These results suggest that the inhibition is due to the presence of tocotrienols in TRF rather than α-T.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

α-T:

α-tocopherol

DMBA:

7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene

MTT:

3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide

PE:

plating efficiency

TRF:

tocotrienol-rich fraction

References

  1. Sylvester, P.W., Russell, M., Ip, M.M., and Ip, C. (1986) Comparative Effects of Different Animal and Vegetable Fats Before and During Carcinogenesis Administration on Mammary Tumorigenesis, Sexual Maturation and Endocrine Function in Rats,Cancer Res. 46, 757–762.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Sundram, K., Khor, H.T., Ong, A.S.H., and Pathmanathan, R. (1989), Effect of Dietary Palm Oils in Mammary Carcinogenesis in Female Rats Induced by 7,12-Dimethylbenz(α)anthracene,Cancer Res. 49, 1447–1451.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Kritchevsky, D., Weber, M.M., and Klurfeld, D.M. (1992) Influence of Different Fats (soybean oil, palm olein or hydrogenated oil) on Chemically-Induced Mammary Tumors in Rats,Nutr. Res. 12, S175-S179.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hubbard, N.E., and Erickson, K.L. (1987) Influence of Dietary Fats on Cell Populations of Line Mouse Mammary Tumors; A Morphometric and Ultrastructural Study,Cancer Lett. 35, 281–294.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hopkins, G.J., and Carroll, K.K. (1979) Relationship Between Amount and Type of Dietary Fat in Promotion of Mammary Carcinogenesis Produced by 7,12-Dimethylbenz(α)anthracene,J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 62, 1009–1012.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Clinton, S.K., Mulloy, A.L., and Visek, W.J. (1984) Effects of Dietary Saturation on Prolactin Secretion, Carcinogen Metabolism and Mammary Carcinogenesis in Rats,J. Nutr. 114, 1630–1639.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gammal, E.B., Carroll, K.K., and Plunkett, E.R. (1967) Effects of Dietary Fat on Mammary Carcinogenesis by 7,12-Dimethylbenz-α-anthracene in Rats,Cancer Res 27, 1737–1742.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Rose, D.P., and Connolly, J.M. (1989) Stimulation of Growth of Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines in Culture by Linoleic Acid,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 164, 277–283.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Nesaretnam, K., Khor, H.T., Ganeson, J., Chong, Y.H., Sundram, K., and Gapor, A. (1992) The Effect of Vitamin E Tocotrienols from Palm Oil on Chemically Induced Mammary Carcinogenesis in Female Rats,Nutr. Res. 12, 879–892.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Tan, B. (1992) Antitumor Effects of Palm Carotenes and Tocotrienols in HRS/J Hairless Female Mice,Nutr. Res. 12, S163-S173.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kato, A., Yamaoka, M., Tanaka, A., Komiyama, K., and Umezawa, I. (1985) Physiological Effect of Tocotrienols,Yakugaku Zasshi 34, 375–376.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Komiyama, K., and Yamaoka, M. (1989) Studies on the Biological Activity of Tocotrienols,Chem. Pharm. Bull. 37, 1369–1371.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Gould, M.N., Haag, J.D., Kennan, W.S., Tanner, M.A., and Elson, C.E. (1991) A Comparison of Tocopherol and Tocotrienol for the Chemoprevention of Chemically Induced Rat Mammary Tumors,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 1068s-1070s.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Yamaoka, M., and Carrillo, M.J.H. (1990) Effect of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols on the Physicochemical Property of the Liposomal Membrane in Relation to Their Antioxidant Activity,Chem. Phys. Lipids 55, 295–300.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Serbinova, E., Kagan, V., Han, D., and Packer, L. (1991) Free Radical Recycling and Intermembrane Mobility in the Antioxidant Properties of α-Tocopherol and α-Tocotrienol,Free Radic. Biol. Med. 10, 263–275.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Lathia, D., Braasch, A., and Theissen, U. (1988) Inhibitor Effects of Vitamin C and E onIn Vitro Formation ofN-Nitrosamine Under Physiological Conditions,Front. Gastrointest. Res. 14, 151–156.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Salomen, J.T., Salomen, R., and Lappetalainen, R. (1985) Risk of Cancer in Relation to Serum Concentrations of Selenium and Vitamin A and E, Match Case Control Analysis of Prospective Data,Br. Med. J. 290, 417–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Willet, W.C. (1986) Selenium, Vitamin E, Fiber and the Incidence of Human Cancer an Epidemiologic Perspective,Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 206, 27–34.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Knekt, P., Aromaa, A., Maatela, J., Aaran, R.K., Nikkari, T., Hakama, M., Hakulinen, T., Peto, R., Saxen, E., and Teppo, L. (1988) Serum Vitamin E and Risk of Cancer Among Finnish Men During a Ten Year Follow-Up,Am. J. Epidemiol. 127, 28–41.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Knekt, P. (1988) Serum Vitamin E Level and Risk of Female Cancer,Int. J. Epidemiol. 17, 281–286.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Packer, L. (1991) Protective Role of Vitamin E in Biological System,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 1050S-1055S.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Sundram, K., and Gapor, A. (1992) A Vitamin E from Palm Oil Its Extraction and Nutritional Properties,Lipid Technolog., November/December, 137–141.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Price, J.E., Polyzos, A., Zhang, R.D., and Daniels, L.M. (1990) Tumorigenicity and Metastasis of Human Breast Carcinoma Cell Lines in Nude Mice,Cancer Res. 50, 717–721.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Hansen, M.B., Nielsen, S.E., and Burg, K. (1989) Re-Examination and Further Development of a Precise and Rapid Dye Method for Measuring Cell Growth/Cell Kill,J. Immunol. Methods 119, 203–210.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Leth, T., and Sondergaard, H. (1977) Biological Activity of Vitamin E Compounds and Natural Materials by the Resorption-Gestation Test and Chemical Determination of the Vitamin E Activity in Foods and Feeds,J Nutr. 107, 2236–2243.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Wattenberg, L.W. (1972) Inhibition of Carcinogenic and Toxic Effects of Polycyclic Hydrocarbons by Phenolic Antioxidants and Ethoxyquin,J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 48, 1425–1430.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Dayton, S., Hashimoto, S., and Wollman, J. (1977) Effect of High-Oleic and High Linoleic Safflower Oils on Mammary Tumors Induced in Rats by 7,12-Dimethylbenzanthracene,J. Nutr. 107, 1353–1360.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Welsch, C.W. (1992) Relationship Between Dietary Fat and Experimental Mammary Tumorigenesis: A Review and Critique,Cancer Res. 52, 2040s-2048s.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Sumiyoshi, H. (1985) Effects of Vitamin E Deficiency on 1,2 Dimethylhydrazine Induced Intestinal Carcinogenesis in Rats,Hiroshima J. Med. Sci. 34, 363–369.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Ip, C. (1982) Dietary Vitamin E Intake and Mammary Carcinogenesis in Rats,Carcinogenesis 3, 1453–1456.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Horvath, P.M. and Ip, C. (1983) Synergistic Effect of Vitamin E and Selenium in the Chemoprevention of Mammary Carcinogenesis in Rats,Cancer Res. 43, 5335–5341.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Ngah, W.Z.W., Jarien, Z., San, M.M., Marzuki, A., Top, G.M., Shamaan, N.A., and Kadir, K.A. (1991) Effects of Tocotrienols on Hepatocarcinogenesis Induced by 2 Acetylaminofluorene in Rats,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 1076s-1081s.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia, P.O. Box 10260, 50720, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Kalanithi Nesaretnam

  2. University of Western Ontario, N6A 5CI, London, Ontario

    Najla Guthrie & Kenneth K. Carroll

  3. London Regional Cancer Research Centre, N6A 4L6, London, Ontario, Canada

    Ann F. Chambers

Authors
  1. Kalanithi Nesaretnam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Najla Guthrie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ann F. Chambers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kenneth K. Carroll
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

About this article

Cite this article

Nesaretnam, K., Guthrie, N., Chambers, A.F. et al. Effect of tocotrienols on the growth of a human breast cancer cell line in culture. Lipids 30, 1139–1143 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536615

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536615

Keywords

Search

Navigation