Linoleate impairs collagen synthesis in primary cultures of avian chondrocytes

The effects of supplemental fatty acids, vitamin E (VIT E), and iron-induced oxidative stress on collagen synthesis, cellular injury, and lipid peroxidation were evaluated in primary cultures of avian epiphyseal chondrocytes. The treatments included oleic and linoleic acids (O or 50 microM) complexed with BSA and dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (VIT E at 0 or 100 microM). After 14 days of preculture, the chondrocytes were enriched with fatty acids for 8 days then cultured with VIT E for 2 days. The chondrocytes were then treated with ferrous sulfate (O or 20 microM) for 24 hr to induce oxidative stress. Collagen synthesis was the lowest and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was the highest in chondrocyte cultures treated with 50 microM linoleic acid and 0 VIT E. In contrast, VIT E supplemented at 100 microM partially restored collagen synthesis in the chondrocytes enriched with linoleic acid and lowered LDH activity in the media. The iron oxidative inducer significantly increased the values of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the culture medium. The data showed that linoleic acid impaired chondrocyte cell function and caused cellular injury but that VIT E reversed these effects. Results from a previous study demonstrated that VIT E stimulated bone formation in chicks fed unsaturated fat, and the present findings in cultures of epiphyseal chondrocytes suggest that VIT E is important for chondrocyte function in the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids. VIT E appears to be beneficial for growth cartilage biology and in optimizing bone growth.