ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECT OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS AND INTERLEUKIN-2 ON NORMAL AND ABNORMAL HUMAN-LYMPHOCYTES

The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), linoleic acid (LA), alpha lin olenic acid (ALA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA), arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), showed inh ibition of growth of both normal and abnormal (Molt-4) human lymphocyt es, and inhibition was concentration-dependent. Interestingly, the pro duction of the lymphokine Interleukin-2 (IL-2) was elevated in Molt-4 cells, but it was reduced in the normal human lymphocytes. Addition of GLA or IL-2 or a combination of both showed enhancement of SO2.- and of lipid peroxidation levels, which were significantly higher in Molt- 4 cells than in the normal lymphocytes. Reduction of protein concentra tion was also observed in both types of cells during this treatment. T he data showed that the antiproliferative effects of GLA and IL-2 may partly be exerted through the elevated production of superoxide free r adicals and peroxidation products. This is a novel finding and therefo re, further exploitation of combinations of PUFAs and IL-2 may be a po ssible way of combating cancer cell growth.