I was curious about antioxidant use, as JB recommends not to use antioxidants, so looked for some studies to understand better.
Just wanted to share the info, as it gave me some more clarity.
ALA from flax oil causes tumor cell lysis (breakdown). But SOD (super Oxide Dismutase - powerful antioxidant) and vitamin E prevented this from happening.
So must avoid vitamin E. And avoid supplements that boost SOD like NAC. And Glutathione.
Three Different Studies. I reduced the content for easier reading. ALA is the flax oil Omega-3.
Study 1: Cytotoxic action of alpha-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids on myeloma cells in vitro
"Superoxide dismutase (SOD) completely blocked, while vitamin E and reduced glutathione (GSH) could prevent to a limited extent the anti-proliferative effects of ALA and EPA."
Both alpha-linolenic (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) were toxic to SP 2/0 mouse myeloma cells in vitro. Both nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and Indomethacin (IM) could block the action of the fatty acids indicating a role for prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs) in the growth suppressive action of ALA and EPA. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) completely blocked, while vitamin E and reduced glutathione (GSH) could prevent to a limited extent the anti-proliferative effects of ALA and EPA. Catalase, mannitol, chlorpromazine (CPZ) and trifluoperazine (TFP) did not block the cytotoxic actions of ALA and EPA. N(G)-mono-methyl L-arginine (N(G)MMA), an analogue of L-arginine, which inhibits nitric oxide synthase, was ineffective in preventing the cytotoxicity induced by ALA and EPA. Fatty acid analysis of the various lipid fractions of SP 2/0 cells treated with ALA and EPA showed significant incorporation of these fatty acids in the cell membrane lipid pools. These results suggest that ALA and EPA induced suppression of SP 2/0 cell proliferation is cyclo-oxygenase (CO), lipoxygenase (LO) and superoxide dependent. Lipid peroxidation has only a limited role in this process. Both calmodulin dependent process and L-arginine derived nitric oxide do not seem to have a role in the cytotoxic action of ALA and EPA in these cells.
Study 2: Free radical-dependent suppression of growth of mouse myeloma cells by alpha-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids in vitro
"Both SOD and vitamin E could inhibit the action of ALA and EPA indicating a role for reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides."
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) exhibited potent cytotoxic action on SP 2/0 mouse myeloma cells in vitro. Both SOD and vitamin E could inhibit the action of ALA and EPA indicating a role for reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides. In addition, both ALA and EPA enhanced the formation of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides, and caused a reduction in the levels of antioxidant enzymes: SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and induced significant damage to DNA in SP 2/0 cells. Thus, ALA and EPA inhibit antioxidant defenses of the cell and damage the DNA, which can ultimately lead to tumor cell lysis.
Study 3: Effect of cis-unsaturated fatty acids on Meth-A ascitic tumour cells in vitro and in vivo
"Vitamin E could partially block the cytotoxicity of these fatty acids indicating a possible role for free radicals."
The order of potency of various fatty acids on the growth of Meth-A cells was DHA > ALA > EPA > AA > GLA > LA > OA and their ID50 values were 10, 20, 35, 45, 68, 73 and 110 microg/ml/1 x 10(4) cells, respectively. These results indicate that the inhibitory action of different types of n-3, n-6 and n-9 fatty acids on Meth-A cells does not depend on their unsaturation. Vitamin E could partially block the cytotoxicity of these fatty acids indicating a possible role for free radicals.
