Inhibition Effect Of Docosahexaenoic Acid On The Growth Of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell

Objective: To investigate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cell lines Patu8988, SW1990, and the effects of DHA on cyclooxygenase (COX-2), Bcl-2, and Bax protein expression, and to investigate the association of dietary intake ofω-6 PUFA andω-3 PUFA with tumor patients.Methods: Pancreatic cancer cell Patu8988 and SW1990 were treated with DHA. The cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Cell cycle, apoptosis induction and COX-2, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression were detected by flow cytometry. Dietary intake ofω-6 PUFA andω-3 PUFA was investigated by dietary survey.Results: After incubation of pancreatic cancer cell with DHA, cell proliferation was inhibited and apoptosis was induced. Both of them were time-dependent and dose-dependent. Cells at G1 phase were increased, whereas cells at S phase were decreased. After incubation of pancreatic cancer cell with 50μg/ml DHA, COX-2, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression were decreased. It suggests the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cell induced by DHA was taken by down regulation of COX-2, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression.It was found that both health and tumor patients intake moreω-6 PUFA and lessω-3 PUFA. The ratio ofω-6 toω-3 was higher than the recommendation by Chinese Nutrition Society. It was higher in tumor patients than health persons. Both ofω-6 PUFA intake and the ratio ofω-6 toω-3 were increased with the income.Conclusion: DHA can inhibit the growth of human pancreatic cancer cells via inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. These effects may be associated with downregulation of COX-2, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression. The high ratio ofω-6 toω-3 in tumor patients suggests increased DHA intake may be helpful for tumor prevention.