Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on components of the transforming growth factor beta-1 pathway: implication for dietary modification and prevention in ovarian cancer.

Arun Sharma, Jennifer Belna, Joseph Espat, Gustavo Rodriguez, Vernon T Cannon, Jean A Hurteau

Index: Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 200(5) , 516.e1-6, (2009)

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Abstract

We previously demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids (OM-3FAs) have definitive inhibitory effects on ovarian cancer cell lines. We sought to determine whether the inhibitory effects of OM-3FAs were mediated by the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 signaling pathway.Ovarian cancer cell lines were grown at 37 degrees C in 5% CO(2) and treated with OM-3FAs, omega-6 fatty acids, and control at different concentrations for 24-72 hours. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay and Western blot analysis were used to measure TGF-beta1, phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad)-3 and p21 protein levels.An ELISA assay demonstrated that OM-3FA treatment increased TGF-beta1 in all 3 Hey cell lines (P < .05). In both SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells, TGF-beta1 levels were not significantly increased. Western blots confirmed increases in TGF-beta1, Smad-3 and p21 protein levels in Hey and HeyC2 but not SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells.OM-3FAs increased the level of TGF-beta1, Smad-3, and p21 protein in ovarian cancer cells known to be more sensitive to their inhibitory effect.