Effects of C18 Fatty Acids on Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ Mobilization and Histamine Release in RBL-2H3 Cells

To investigate the underlying mechanisms of C18 fatty acids (stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid) on mast cells, we measured the effect of C18 fatty acids on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization and histamine release in RBL-2H3 mast cells. Stearic acid rapidly increased initial peak of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization, whereas linoleic acid and ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid gradually increased this mobilization. In the absence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, stearic acid ($100{\mu}M$) did not cause any increase of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization. Both linoleic acid and ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid increased intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization, but the increase was smaller than that in the presence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. These results suggest that C18 fatty acid-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization is mainly dependent on extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx. Verapamil dose-dependently inhibited stearic acid-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization, but did not affect both linoleic acid- and ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization. These data suggest that the underlying mechanism of stearic acid, linoleic acid and ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization may differ. Linoleic acid and ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid significantly increased histamine release. Linoleic acid (C18:2: ${\omega}$-6)-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization and histamine release were more prominent than ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid (C18:3: ${\omega}$-3). These data support the view that the intake of more ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid than linoleic acid is useful in preventing inflammation.