The Influence of Propionate on the Spectrum of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Cervical Cells During Dis- and Neoplastic Transformation

Introduction. There is some data of the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) participation in cancerogenesis. The cervical cancer is an “ideal” model for determining the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of cancer. The aim of study was to estimate the influence of propionate on the spectrum of SCFA in cervical cells during dis- and neoplastic transformation. Materials and methods of research. Materials of the study - cervical biopsy verified morphologically. Study groups: IA - the focus of the pretumor lesion of cervix; IB - paradisplastic cells; IIA - locus of cervical cancer; IIB - paraneoplastic cells. The spectrum of fatty acids was analyzed before, after 24 hours incubation with 50 μmol/l propionic acid by the gas chromatography method. Methods of nonparametric statistics the Mann-Whitney test were used. Differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results of the study. The incubation of cervical cancer cells with propionate leads to an increase the level of propionate and butyrate. The incubation of "precancer", paraneoplastic and paradisplastic cells leads to an increase the levels of isobutyric, valeric and caproic acids against the background of a significant drop in the concentration of propionate and butyrate. Сonclusion. It can be concluded that the effect of propionate on the metabolism of fatty acids in the cervical epithelium of the studied samples is multidirectional and depends on the cell type. The dates indicate the modifications of SCFA in the cervical carcinogenesis.