Regulation of cell division in a human glioma cell clone by arachidonic acid and alpha-tocopherolquinone

Abstract

A human glioma cell clone (12-18 CV), derived from a previously characterized glioblastoma multiforme cell line, was established in culture. Lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid test) occurred when either 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid or 5,8,11-eicosatetraenoic acid (arachidonic acid) was added to the cells in culture. The extent of lipid peroxidation was similar in fetal brain cells (CH II) treated with these polyunsaturated fatty acids. The antioxidant, alpha-tocopherolquinone, inhibited lipid peroxidation in both the glioma cell clone and fetal brain cells. Arachidonic acid significantly reduced cell division in both the glioma cell clone and fetal brain cells. alpha-Tocopherolquinone restored cell division to control levels in both cultures. These data show that cells from a tumor clone retain the capacity for lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, cell division in a tumor clone is correlated with lipid peroxidation in the same way that cell division in other cell lines is correlated with lipid peroxidation.