Cancer prevention with milk consumption: Conjugated Linoleic Acid

CLA in unusual among anticancer compounds because it reduces the incidences of cancer and also suppresses the growth of existing cancers. It has been suggested that CLA may act by antioxidant mechanisms, pro-oxidant cytotoxicity and reduction in cell proliferation activity. The 9-cis, 11-trans CLA is the biologically active isomer. The fact that CLA is protective in the methylnitrosourea model suggests that it may have a direct modulating effect on susceptibility of the target organ to neoplastic transformation. The anti-proliferative / anticancer effects of CLA mixtures and their constituent isomers on this cell line are not equivalent. These differences are apparently due to the different pathways modulated by the individual isomers. The trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomer appears to elicit the greatest effect and apparently works preferentially through modulation of genes involved in apoptosis and cell cycle control. CLA is prone to oxidation in vitro, and it has been suggested that increased lipid oxidation may contribute to the cytotoxic effects of this agent in cancer cell lines. CLA is really good research potential in Nutraceutical field.