Saturated Hydroxy Fatty Acids Exhibit a Cell Growth Inhibitory Activity and Suppress the Cytokine-Induced β‑Cell Apoptosis

The field of bioactive lipids is
ever expanding with discoveries
of novel lipid molecules that promote human health. Adopting a lipidomic-assisted
approach, two new families of previously unrecognized saturated hydroxy
fatty acids (SHFAs), namely, hydroxystearic and hydroxypalmitic acids,
consisting of isomers with the hydroxyl group at different positions,
were identified in milk. Among the various regio-isomers synthesized,
those carrying the hydroxyl at the 7- and 9-positions presented growth
inhibitory activities against various human cancer cell lines, including
A549, Caco-2, and SF268 cells. In addition, 7- and 9-hydroxystearic
acids were able to suppress β-cell apoptosis induced by proinflammatory
cytokines, increasing the possibility that they can be beneficial
in countering autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes. 7-(R)-Hydroxystearic acid exhibited the highest potency both
in cell growth inhibition and in suppressing β-cell death. We
propose that such naturally occurring SHFAs may play a role in the
promotion and protection of human health.