DHA induces apoptosis of human malignant breast cancer tissues by the TLR-4/PPAR-α pathways

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System
10:51

Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System

Published on: April 23, 2021

4.7K

Lijing Geng1, Wei Zhou1, Bing Liu1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology and New Drug Development of The Educational Department of Jinzhou Province, Food Science and Engineer College, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121001, P.R. China.

Oncology Letters
|February 14, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oil boosts antioxidant enzymes and lowers oxidative stress in breast cancer tissues. DHA also promotes apoptosis by increasing cAMP/cGMP ratios and activating TLR-4 and PPAR-α, suggesting its therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a vital polyunsaturated fatty acid.
  • DHA shows promise in inhibiting mammary carcinogenesis.
  • The precise mechanisms of DHA-induced apoptosis in breast cancer remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of DHA oil on antioxidant enzyme activity and oxidative stress markers in human breast cancer tissues.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which DHA induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells, focusing on cAMP/cGMP signaling, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-α.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of total-superoxide dismutase (t-SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity.
  • Measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration as an indicator of lipid peroxidation.
  • Assessment of cyclic (c)AMP/cGMP ratio.
  • Evaluation of TLR-4 and PPAR-α expression levels in DHA oil-treated human malignant breast tissues.

Main Results:

  • DHA oil significantly increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes (t-SOD, CAT, GSH-PX) in breast cancer tissues.
  • DHA oil significantly decreased MDA concentration, indicating reduced oxidative stress.
  • DHA oil elevated the cAMP/cGMP ratio and promoted the expression of TLR-4 and PPAR-α, correlating with induced apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • DHA oil enhances the antioxidant defense system and reduces oxidative stress in breast cancer.
  • DHA-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells is mediated by increased cAMP/cGMP levels and the activation of TLR-4 and PPAR-α.
  • These findings support the potential clinical application of DHA oil for breast cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Toll-like receptor 4antioxidant enzymesapoptosisbreast cancercAMP/cGMPdocosahexaenoic acid

More Related Videos

Flow Cytometric Detection of Newly-formed Breast Cancer Stem Cell-like Cells After Apoptosis Reversal11:21

Flow Cytometric Detection of Newly-formed Breast Cancer Stem Cell-like Cells After Apoptosis Reversal

Published on: January 26, 2019

10.4K
Three Dimensional Cultures: A Tool To Study Normal Acinar Architecture vs. Malignant Transformation Of Breast Cells08:33

Three Dimensional Cultures: A Tool To Study Normal Acinar Architecture vs. Malignant Transformation Of Breast Cells

Published on: April 25, 2014

20.4K

Related Concept Videos

Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size...
15.3K
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers01:51

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
7.0K
C4 Pathway and CAM01:27

C4 Pathway and CAM

Most plants use the C3 pathway for carbon fixation. However, some plants, such as sugar cane, corn, and cacti that grow in hot conditions, use alternative pathways to fix carbon and conserve energy loss due to photorespiration. Photorespiration is the process that occurs when the oxygen concentration is high. Under such conditions, the rubisco enzyme in the Calvin cycle binds O2 instead of CO2, which halts photosynthesis and consumes energy.
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
49.4K
Other Glycolytic Pathways01:24

Other Glycolytic Pathways

The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) operates in parallel with glycolysis, facilitating the metabolism of both pentoses and glucose. This pathway consists of two distinct phases: the oxidative and non-oxidative phases. While it does not directly generate ATP, the intermediates formed during the process can integrate into glycolysis, contributing to cellular energy metabolism when required.Oxidative Phase: NADPH ProductionThe oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway is primarily...
1.0K
Respiration Pathways01:26

Respiration Pathways

Cellular respiration is a fundamental metabolic process that enables organisms to generate energy from organic molecules. One of its central pathways is the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, which plays a crucial role in energy production and biosynthetic processes.Conversion of Pyruvate to Acetyl-CoAThe pyruvate generated from glycolysis undergoes oxidative decarboxylation by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, producing acetyl-CoA, one molecule of NADH, and one...
798
Auditory Pathway01:15

Auditory Pathway

Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking...
7.5K