Inhibitory effect of short-chain aliphatic acids on deoxythymidine incorporation into DNA in mitogen-stimulated and leukemic lymphocytes.

The effect of short-chain aliphatic acids on [3H]deoxythymidine incorporation into DNA was studied in human mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes. Butyric acid at 1-2 mM level was strongly inhibitory; however, its hydroxy or amino derivatives were ineffective. Valeric and propionic acids were less inhibitory. Formic, acetic, and hexanoic acids did not have any inhibitory effect. The effect of butyrate persisted in washed lymphocytes for 24-48 hr depending on the concentration used and the time of its addition into the incubation medium. The inhibitory effects of butyrate, valerate, and propionate on deoxythymidine and amino acid incorporation into DNA and protein were also found in human leukocytes in myelocytic and lymphocytic leukemias.