Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common type of cancer affecting male population. PCa treatments have side effects and are temporarily effective, so new therapeutic options are being investigated. Due to the high demand of energy for cell proliferation, an increase in the expression and activity of lipogenic enzymes such as the stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) have been observed in PCa. Sterculic acid, contained in the seed's oil of Malvales, is a natural inhibitor of SCD1. The objective of our investigation was to evaluate the effects of sterculic oil (SO) from Sterculia apetala seeds on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. SO was administered to PC3 and LNCaP cells, and to prostate normal cells; cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, SCD1 gene and protein expression and enzymatic activity were analyzed. SO administration (4 mM sterculic acid) diminished cell viability in LNCaP and PC3 cells, arrested cell cycle in G2 and promoted apoptosis. SO diminished SCD1 enzymatic activity with no effects on gene nor protein expression. Our results suggest that SO might offer benefits as an adjuvant in hormonal and chemotherapy prostate cancer treatments. This is the first study to analyze the effect of SO on cancer cells.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/342...
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SCD1 is an iron-containing lipogenic (fat making) enzyme that converts the saturated stearic acid to the monounsaturated oleic acid. SCD1 is strongly upregulated in obese people and is a key regulator of fat storage. SCD1 is an important metabolic control point. Inhibition of its expression may enhance the treatment of a host of metabolic diseases.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stear...
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The SCD1 Theory of Obesity
SCD1 is up-regulated by dietary carbohydrate, both directly and as a response to insulin. Sugar up-regulates SCD1 much more dramatically than starch.
All unsaturated fats lower SCD1 production, polyunsaturated fat more than monounsaturated fat.
But there are a number of unsaturated fats that inhibit SCD1 much more specifically and to a far greater degree.
- Palmitoleic Acid (Omega-7)
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
- EPA and DHA
After you’ve fixed your diet by removing PUFA (vegetable oil), here are a variety of nutritional factors that can lower SCD1 activity:.
- Metformin
- Berberine
- G. Pentaphyllum
- Hesperidin
- Sterculia Oil
