Divergent Cytotoxic Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Isomers on NCI-N87 Cells

Abstract

Cytotoxic effects of four conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers (trans-10,cis-12 CLA; cis-9,trans-11 CLA; trans-10,trans-12 CLA; and trans-9,trans-11 CLA) were evaluated in NCI-N87 gastric cancer cells. NCI-N87 cells were incubated in serum-free medium with 20 µM CLA isomers and linoleic acid over a period of 6 days. All CLA isomers inhibited the proliferation of the cells, however, linoleic acid did not. Efficacy of trans-9,trans-11 CLA in inhibiting the cell proliferation was similar to that of trans-10,trans-12 CLA and was much higher than that of trans-10,cis-12 CLA or cis-9,trans-11 CLA. These results indicate that cytotoxicity of trans-9,trans-11 and trans-10,trans-12 CLA (designated trans/trans CLA) isomers for NCI-N87 cells was stronger than that of their corresponding cis-9,trans-11 CLA or trans-10,cis-12 CLA (designated cis/trans CLA) isomers.