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Clinical Nutrition

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

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 71, pages 762–765 (2017)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, KG081632 and pilot funds from the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute. We thank GlaxoSmith Kline and Eli Lilly for their generous supply of Lovaza and Raloxifene, respectively.

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Author notes

  1. A Manni and J P Richie: These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA

    A Manni

  2. Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA

    J P Richie & A Calcagnotto

  3. Department of Radiology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA

    S E Schetter

  4. Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA

    N Trushin

  5. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA

    C Aliaga & K El-Bayoumy

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  1. A Manni
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  2. J P Richie
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Correspondence to A Manni.

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Manni, A., Richie, J., Schetter, S. et al. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, a novel target of omega-3 fatty acids for reducing breast cancer risk in obese postmenopausal women. Eur J Clin Nutr 71, 762–765 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.273

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