Exploring the Influence of the Selected Conjugated Fatty Acids Isomers and Cancerous Process on the Fatty Acids Profile of Spleen

Sep 21, 2026

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The spleen, traditionally linked to blood filtration and immune surveillance, is increasingly recognized as a participant in systemic lipid metabolism with relevance to cancer development and progression. This study examines how dietary supplements containing conjugated linolenic acids from pomegranate seed oil and bitter melon extract affect the fatty acid (FA) composition of rat spleen under carcinogenic conditions. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and silver ion-impregnated HPLC were used to profile FAs. Results show supplement-driven alterations, including shifts in conjugated FA isomer concentrations and disrupted desaturase activity, not following a simple protective pattern, highlighting complex diet–disease–metabolism interactions in cancerous environments.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Background on cancer and lipid metabolism

Spleen functions beyond immune surveillance

cancers Article Exploring the Influence of the Selected Conjugated Fatty Acids Isomers and Cancerous Process on the Fatty Acids Profile of Spleen Tomasz Lepionka 1, Małgorzata Białek 2, Marian Czauderna 2, Wiktoria Wojtak 2, Ewelina Maculewicz 3 and Agnieszka Białek 2,4, * Citation: Lepionka, T.; Białek, M.; Czauderna, M.; Wojtak, W.; Maculewicz, E.; Białek, A. Exploring the Influence of the Selected Conjugated Fatty Acids Isomers and Cancerous Process on the Fatty Acids Profile of Spleen. Cancers 2024, 16, 479 . [https://doi.org/10.3390/](https://doi.org/10.3390/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3390/)cancers16030479 Academic Editor: Andrea Manni Received: 29 November 2023 Revised: 14 January 2024 Accepted: 20 January 2024 Published: 23 January 2024 Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . 1 The Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center of the General Karol Kaczkowski Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Lubelska 4 St, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; [tomasz.lepionka@wihe.pl](tomasz.lepionka@wihe.pl) 2 The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Instytucka 3, 05-110 Jabłonna, Poland; [m.bialek@ifzz.pl](m.bialek@ifzz.pl) (M.B.); [m.czauderna@ifzz.pl](m.czauderna@ifzz.pl) (M.C.); [w.wojtak@ifzz.pl](w.wojtak@ifzz.pl) (W.W.) 3 Faculty of Physical Education, Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Marymoncka 34, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland; [ewelina.maculewicz@awf.edu.pl](ewelina.maculewicz@awf.edu.pl) 4 School of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw, Okopowa 59, 01-043 Warsaw, Poland * Correspondence: a.bialek@ifzz.pl or a.bialek@vizja.pl; Tel.: +48-(22)-765-3350 Simple Summary: The spleen has recently been recognized for its role in lipid metabolism and potential influence on cancer development and progression. Our study investigates effects of dietary supplements, specifically conjugated fatty acids (CFAs) from pomegranate seed oil and bitter melon extract, on concentrations of fatty acids (FAs) of the rat’s spleen in the context of carcinogenesis. Gas-chromatography and silver liquid-chromatography were employed to analyze the concentration of FAs in the spleen. Our research uncovered that supplements added to diets lead to alterations in the concentration of FAs in the spleen of rats, especially fed the diet including the carcinogenic compound (7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene) . We observed considerable changes in concentrations of CFAs and disruption in lipid metabolism in the spleen of rats fed the diet including 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. These findings underscore the spleen’s vital role in lipid metabolism. Our study suggests that the spleen has a significant impact on cancer progression and treatment. Abstract: The spleen, traditionally associated with blood filtration and immune surveillance, has recently been recognized for its role in systemic lipid metabolism and potential influence on cancer development and progression. This study investigates effects of dietary supplements, specifically conjugated linolenic acids from pomegranate seed oil and bitter melon extract, on the fatty acid (FA) composition of the spleen in the context of cancerous processes. Advanced methods, including gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and silver ion-impregnated high-performance liquid chromatography, were employed to analyze the spleen’s FA profile. Our research uncovered that dietary supplementation leads to alterations in the spleen’s FA profile, especially under the carcinogenic influence of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. These changes did not align with a simple prot

FAQs

What was the purpose of the study on rat spleen?

To investigate how dietary supplements containing conjugated fatty acids affect the spleen’s fatty acid profile in the context of cancerous processes.

Which carcinogenic influence and analytical methods were used?

The study used 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene to model cancerous conditions, and applied gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and silver ion-impregnated HPLC to analyze fatty acids.

What key changes were observed in the spleen?

Dietary supplementation led to alterations in the spleen’s fatty acid profile, with notable shifts in conjugated fatty acid isomer concentrations and changes in desaturase activities.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo