Effect of diet on hyperthermia-induced cell lethality and prostaglandin release.

Hyperthermia-induced cell lethality is thought to be mediated through injury to the cell membrane. Membrane perturbation results in the release of prostaglandins (PG) and leukotrienes (LT). These compounds are potent biological mediators and may modify the tumor microenvironment and therapeutic efficacy. Membrane composition and PG/LT release are influenced by the dietary fatty acids. The relationship between these variables and response to hyperthermia was examined in vitro using murine P388 leukemia cells grown as an ascites in mice provided either saturated fatty acid diet (SFA; 16% beef tallow) or unsaturated fatty acid diet (UFA; 16% safflower oil). Cells were harvested and exposed in vitro to either 37 degrees C or 43.5 degrees C for periods up to 2 hours. Hyperthermic exposure for 2 hours resulted in 40% cell lethality in SFA cells and 55% in UFA cells. The phospholipid and total cholesterol content was higher (33% and 50% respectively) in the UFA versus the SFA cells. Hyperthermia produced a six-fold increase in prostaglandin E2 PGE2 release by SFA cells and a 4.5-fold increase by UFA cells. No LTC4 was detected. Alteration of dietary fat affects cell lethality and PG release following hyperthermic treatment. The increase in phospholipid and cholesterol content of UFA cells may be a response to reduced membrane fluidity.