ANTITUMOR EFFECT OF MEDIUM-CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE SELF-DEFENSE SYSTEM OF THE BODY

Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), long-chain triglyceride (LCT), and th eir mixture were compared in reference to both cytotoxic effect agains t human tumor cells and influence on the immune system. MCT showed mor e potent cytotoxicity than LCT. Continuous contact with MCT also inhib ited the cytotoxic effect of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells m uch more strongly than LCT. However, there is a discrepancy between th e concentration of MCT, or the mixture, that could suppress the growth of tumor cells and the concentration that inhibited the cytotoxicity of LAK cells. Moreover, no damage was observed in PBL or LAK cells or in their cytotoxicity when the cells were incubated with TG for 2 h a day. Thus, short-term contact with TG could inhibit tumor growth while immune system was maintained within normal range. Clinically fine con trol of the concentration of injected triglycerides, especially MCT, c an be expected to provide potent antitumor effect and maintenance of n ormal immune system.