Effect of solvent on cytotoxicity and bioavailability of fatty acids

Abstract

Fatty acids (FAs) represent an important part of cell membranes and a source of energy. However, their abundance is linked with several diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, and for this reason they are studied intensively. In this article we compare the two main methods of dissolving FAs for work in vitro, (i) dissolution in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and (ii) conjugation with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and describe the effects of the solvent on cytotoxicity (determination of viability) and bioavailability (as shown by the impact on the gene expression of TNF-α). We have found that conjugation with BSA is significantly less cytotoxic than dissolution in DMSO and also yields greater bioavailability.

Keywords:

• Cell culture
• inflammation
• macrophages
• myristic acid
• RT-qPCR

Acknowledgments

Our acknowledgments also belong to Frank Thomas Campbell for critical reading of the manuscript.

Declaration of interest

This project was supported by the Internal grant agency of the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno (IGA VFU), grant number 210/2009/FaF (to J.H.).