We compared the cytotoxic effects and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production induced by 13 trans-octadecenoic acid positional isomers (trans-4-C18:1 to trans-16-C18:1) in RAW264.7 cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the cytotoxic effects among the 13 trans-C18:1 positional isomers and control on RAW264.7 cells. TNF-α production significantly decreased by treatment of trans-4-C18:1 as compared to control, but no significant differences in TNF-α production were observed among other trans-C18:1 positional isomers and control. These results suggest that the double bond position in trans-C18:1 may affect TNF-α production in cells.
Keywords: RAW264.7; TNF-α; inflammation; octadecenoic acid isomer; trans fatty acid.