A compound found in olive oil
may help to prevent cancer developing in the brain
University of Edinburgh
A compound found in olive oil may help to prevent cancer
developing in the brain, a study shows.
Research into oleic acid -- the primary ingredient in olive oil
-- has shown how it can help prevent cancer-causing genes from functioning in
cells.
The oily substance -- one of a group of nutrients known as fatty
acids -- stimulates the production of a cell molecule whose function is to
prevent cancer-causing proteins from forming.
The study team says it is too soon to say whether dietary
consumption of olive oil may help prevent brain cancer. Their findings,
however, point towards possible therapies based on the oil to prevent brain
cancer from occurring.
Scientists from the University of Edinburgh analysed the effect
of oleic acid on a cell molecule, known as miR-7, which is active in the brain
and is known to suppress the formation of tumours.
They found that oleic acid prevents a cell protein, known as
MSI2, from stopping production of miR-7. In this way, the olive oil component
supports the production of miR-7, which helps prevent tumours from forming.
The study, published in the Journal of Molecular Biology,
was funded by the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.
Dr Gracjan Michlewski of the University of Edinburgh's School of
Biological Sciences, who led the study, said: "While we cannot yet say
that olive oil in the diet helps prevent brain cancer, our findings do suggest
that oleic acid can support the production of tumour-suppressing molecules in
cells grown in the lab. Further studies could help determine the role that
olive oil might have in brain health."