Thesis
Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on prostate cancer cells
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2013
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100470
Abstract
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered essential fatty acids (FAs) have many health benefits. They are thought to play important roles in cancer prevention, cardiovascular disease prevention, brain health and as anti-inflammatory agents. Many studies show that omega-3 FAs can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, however, little work has been done to determine the mechanisms by which dietary fat and specific FAs may influence prostate cancer development and progression. The overall goal of this project is to explore the effects of specific omega-3 FAs on signal transduction pathways involved in prostate cancer cell proliferation. The hypothesis being addressed is that omega-3 FAs inhibit signal transduction events activated in response to growth factors. In particular, we focused on effects on expression of CCN-1 protein and activation of p70S6K in prostate cancer cell lines. CCN-1 is an inducible secreted matricellular protein that regulates cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and survival. Results from current study showed that the expression levels of CCN-1 in DU-145, PC-3, and LNCaP prostate cancer cells were different, suggesting that expression of CCN-1 is higher in androgen-independent cells. Treatment of serum-starved Du145 cells with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), or epidermal growth factor (EGF), induced the expression of CCN-1. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), but not DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), can significantly inhibit both LPA- and EGF-induced CCN-1 up-regulation in DU-145 cells. The serine/threonine kinase p70S6K is important in the mTOR signaling pathway, which is a central regulator of cell growth, proliferation and survival. Our data showed that both LPA- and EGFinduced activation of p70S6K in DU-145 cells, and that EPA can significantly inhibit LPA- and EGF-induced p70S6K phosphorylation. Results from this study also showed that EPA inhibited LPA- and EGF-induced activating phosphorylations of ERK and FAK, kinases involved in cell proliferation and adhesion, respectively. In addition, both EPA and DHA significantly inhibit LPA-induced proliferation of DU-145 cells. Taken together, these data indicate that omega-3 FAs may suppress the proliferation of prostate cancer cells by inhibiting responses to growth factors.
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Details
- Title
- Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on prostate cancer cells
- Creators
- ze Liu
- Contributors
- Kathryn E. Meier (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525166901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis