[Gas chromatographic studies on propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid in culture fluid of Trichomonas vaginalis].

Trichomonas vaginalis was inoculated into Cysteine-Peptone-Liver infusion-Maltose medium (CPLM medium), and serial changes in short-chain fatty acids in the culture fluid were studied by gas chromatography. A significant increase in the amount of propionic acid and iso-valeric acid was found in the culture fluids obtained at 72 or 120 hours after inoculation of Trichomonas vaginalis. These short-chain fatty acids are considered to be produced in vitro during the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis in the CPLM medium, presumably by the catabolism of amino acids. Recent in vitro studies on viral oncology have shown that propionic acid or iso-valeric acid had a promoter-like activity and/or promoter-enhancing effect. Accordingly, the present findings suggest that Trichomonas vaginalis is, at least in part, responsible for the promotion of cervical cancer or vaginal cancer.