Antitumor Properties of CLA-Enriched Food Products

ABSTRACT

In this manuscript, we reviewed the available literature on the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-enriched food products, including meat, dairy products, and eggs on cancer, both in vivo and in vitro. Based on our own studies on CLA-enriched eggs, we also identified potential molecular mechanisms by which such products may act on cancer cells. We propose the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway as mainly accountable for the reduction of cancer cells viability. Our hypothesis is supported by observed changes in expression of genes associated with downregulation of AKT/mTOR signalling pathway. In addition, we propose that CLA-enriched food products can act as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) ligands showing predominately an agonist effect on PPAR isoforms.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no financial or other conflict of interest relevant to the subject of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Polish National Science Center (grant number 2011/03/B/NZ9/01423) “Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-induced transcriptional activation of PPAR-an investigation of molecular mechanisms of putative anticancer action of fatty acids of CLA-enriched egg yolks.”