Journal Article

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, a novel target of omega-3 fatty acids for reducing breast cancer risk in obese postmenopausal women

Manni, A, El-Bayoumy, K, Trushin, N, Calcagnotto, A, Aliaga, C, Richie, J P, Schetter, S E

2017

Overview

Background/Objectives: Conversion of saturated fatty acids to monounsaturated fatty acids by the enzyme stearoyl-Co-A-desaturase (SCD-1) is emerging as a major factor in promoting carcinogenesis including breast cancer. The aim of our study was to explore the regulation of SCD-1 by Raloxifene and omega-3 fatty acids in women at increased risk of breast cancer based on high breast density. Subjects/Methods: As a reflection of SCD-1 activity, we measured the ratios of palmitoleic acid (C16:1n7) to palmitic acid (C16:0) (SCD-16) and oleic acid (C18:1n9) to steric acid (C18:0) (SCD-18) in plasma samples of postmenopausal women enrolled in our clinical trial (NCT00723398) designed to test the effects of the antiestrogen, Raloxifene and/or the omega-3 preparation Lovaza, on breast density, a validated biomarker of breast cancer risk. Results: We report that Lovaza but not Raloxifene-reduced SCD-16 and SCD-18 for the 2-year duration of the trial. Importantly, decreasing levels of SCD-16 and SCD-18 were associated with a progressive reduction in breast density but only in obese women (body mass index ⩾30). Conclusions: Body mass index-related factors play an important role in the reduction of breast density and hence breast cancer risk by omega-3 fatty acids. SCD-1 may be a useful biomarker in future clinical trials testing the benefit of nutritional interventions in reducing obesity-associated breast cancer risk.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: 692/308 / 692/53 / Adult / Aged / Antiestrogens / Biomarkers / Biomarkers - blood / Body Mass Index / Body size / Breast cancer / Breast Density - drug effects / Breast Neoplasms - blood / Breast Neoplasms - prevention & control / Carcinogenesis / Carcinogens / Clinical Nutrition / Clinical trials / Density / Desaturase / Docosahexaenoic Acids - administration & dosage / Docosahexaenoic Acids - blood / Dose-Response Relationship, Drug / Drug Combinations / Eicosapentaenoic Acid - administration & dosage / Eicosapentaenoic Acid - blood / Enzymes / Epidemiology / Estrogen Receptor Modulators - administration & dosage / Estrogen Receptor Modulators - blood / Estrogen receptors / Fatty acids / Fatty Acids - blood / Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated - administration & dosage / Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated - blood / Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage / Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - blood / Female / Follow-Up Studies / Health aspects / Health risks / Humans / Internal Medicine / Mammography / Medical schools / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Metabolic Diseases / Middle Aged / Obesity / Obesity - blood / Obesity - physiopathology / Oleic acid / Oleic Acid - administration & dosage / Oleic Acid - blood / Omega 3 fatty acids / original-article / Overweight persons / Palmitic acid / Palmitic Acid - administration & dosage / Palmitic Acid - blood / Palmitoleic acid / Plasma / Post-menopause / Postmenopausal women / Postmenopause / Prevention / Public Health / Raloxifene / Raloxifene Hydrochloride - administration & dosage / Raloxifene Hydrochloride - blood / Ratios / Reduction / Risk / Risk Factors / Stearoyl-CoA desaturase / Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase - blood / University colleges / Womens health