Effect of circulating forms of soy isoflavones on the oxidation of low density lipoprotein

Soy isoflavones are thought to have a cardioprotective effect that is partly mediated by an inhibitory influence on the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL). However, the aglycone forms investigated in many previous studies do not circulate in appreciable quantities because they are metabolised in the gut and liver. We investigated effects of various isoflavone metabolites, including for the first time the sulphated conjugates formed in the liver and the mucosa of the small intestine, on copper-induced LDL oxidation. The parent aglycones inhibited oxidation, although only 5% as well as quercetin. Metabolism increased or decreased their effectiveness. Equol inhibited 2.65-fold better than its parent compound daidzein and 8-hydroxydaidzein, not previously assessed, was 12.5-fold better than daidzein. However, monosulphated conjugates of genistein, daidzein and equol were much less effective and disulphates completely ineffective. Since almost all isoflavones circulate as conjugates, these data suggest that despite the increased potency produced by some metabolic changes, isoflavones may not be effective antioxidants in vivo unless they are deconjugated again.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation via differential effects on the cell cycle

Abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of both atherosclerosis and restenosis. Recent studies suggest that high-dose salicylates, in addition to inhibiting cyclooxygenase activity, exert an antiproliferative effect on VSMC growth both in-vitro and in-vivo. However, whether all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exert similar anti proliferative effects on VSMCs, and do so via a common mechanism of action, remains to be shown. In this study, we demonstrate that the NSAIDs aspirin, sodium salicylate, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indometacin and sulindac induce a dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation in rat A10 VSMCs in the absence of significant cytotoxicity. Flow cytometric analyses showed that exposure of A10 cells to diclofenac, indometacin, ibuprofen and sulindac, in the presence of the mitotic inhibitor, nocodazole, led to a significant G0/G1 arrest. In contrast, the salicylates failed to induce a significant G1 arrest since flow cytometry profiles were not significantly different from control cells. Cyclin A levels were elevated, and hyperphosphorylated p107 was present at significant levels, in salicylate-treated A10 cells, consistent with a post-G1/S block, whereas cyclin A levels were low, and hypophosphorylated p107 was the dominant form, in cells treated with other NSAIDs consistent with a G1 arrest. The ubiquitously expressed cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors, p21 and p27, were increased in all NSAID-treated cells. Our results suggest that diclofenac, indometacin, ibuprofen and sulindac inhibit VSMC proliferation by arresting the cell cycle in the G1 phase, whereas the growth inhibitory effect of salicylates probably affects the late S and/or G2/M phases. Irrespective of mechanism, our results suggest that NSAIDs might be of benefit in the treatment of certain vasculoproliferative disorders.

The photodimerisation of the alpha- and beta-forms of trans-cinnamic acid: a study of single crystals by vibrational microspectroscopy

Infrared and Raman microspectroscopy have been used to follow the photodimerisation reactions of single crystals, the alpha- and beta-forms of trans-cinnamic acid. This approach allows the starting materials and products -alpha-truxillic acid that has C-i symmetry and beta-truxinic acid, which has C-s symmetry-to be identified. It also allows the topotactic nature of the reaction to be confirmed. Attempts to produce the poorly-defined unreactive gamma-form of trans-cinnamic acid resulted only in a mixture of the alpha- and beta-forms. The findings suggest a wide role for these spectroscopic methods in monitoring solid-state organic reactions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Crystallization in poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) double crystalline diblock copolymers: a study using X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarized optical microscopy

The crystallization of well-defined poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) diblock copolymers, PLLA-b-PCL, was investigated by time-resolved X-ray techniques, polarized optical microscopy (POM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Two compositions were studied that contained 44 and 60 wt % poly(L-lactide), PLLA (they are referred to as (L44C5614)-C-11 and (L60C409)-C-12, respectively, with the molecular weight of each block in kg/mol as superscript). The copolymers were found to be initially miscible in the melt according to small-angle X-ray scattering measurements (SAXS). Their thermal behavior was also indicative of samples whose crystallization proceeds from a mixed melt. Sequential isothermal crystallization from the melt at 100 degreesC (for 30 min) and then at 30 degreesC (for 15 min) was measured. At 100 degreesC only the PLLA block is capable of crystallization, and its crystallization kinetics was followed by both WAXS and DSC; comparable results were obtained that indicated an instantaneous nucleation with three-dimensional superstructures (Avrami index of approximately 3). The spherulitic nature of the superstructure was confirmed by POM. When the temperature was decreased to 30 degreesC, the PCL block was able to crystallize within the PLLA negative spherulites (with an Avrami index of 2, as opposed to 3 in homo-PCL), and its crystallization rate was much slower than an equivalent homo-PCL. Time-resolved SAXS experiments in (L60C409)-C-12 revealed an initial melt mixed morphology at 165 degreesC that upon cooling transformed into a transient microphase-separated lamellar structure prior to crystallization at 100 degreesC.

Melt structure and its transformation by sequential crystallization of the two blocks within poly(L-lactide)-block-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) double crystalline diblock copolymers

Sequential crystallization of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) followed by poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) in double crystalline PLLA-b-PCL diblock copolymers is studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM), wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Three samples with different compositions are studied. The sample with the shortest PLLA block (32 wt.-% PLLA) crystallizes from a homogeneous melt, the other two (with 44 and 60% PLLA) from microphase separated structures. The microphase structure of the melt is changed as PLLA crystallizes at 122 degrees C (a temperature at which the PCL block is molten) forming spherulites regardless of composition, even with 32% PLLA. SAXS indicates that a lamellar structure with a different periodicity than that obtained in the melt forms (for melt segregated samples). Where PCL is the majority block, PCL crystallization at 42 degrees C following PLLA crystallization leads to rearrangement of the lamellar structure, as observed by SAXS, possibly due to local melting at the interphases between domains. POM results showed that PCL crystallizes within previously formed PLLA spherulites. WAXS data indicate that the PLLA unit cell is modified by crystallization of PCL, at least for the two majority PCL samples. The PCL minority sample did not crystallize at 42 degrees C (well below the PCL homopolymer crystallization temperature), pointing to the influence of pre-crystallization of PLLA on PCL crystallization, although it did crystallize at lower temperature. Crystallization kinetics were examined by DSC and WAXS, with good agreement in general. The crystallization rate of PLLA decreased with increase in PCL content in the copolymers. The crystallization rate of PCL decreased with increasing PLLA content. The Avrami exponents were in general depressed for both components in the block copolymers compared to the parent homopolymers. Polarized optical micrographs during isothermal crystalli zation of (a) homo-PLLA, (b) homo-PCL, (c) and (d) block copolymer after 30 min at 122 degrees C and after 15 min at 42 degrees C.

Combined affinity labelling and mass spectrometry analysis of differential cell surface protein expression in normal and prostate cancer cells

Differences in the expression of cell surface proteins between a normal prostate epithelial (1542-NP2TX) and a prostate cancer cell line (1542-CP3TX) derived from the same patient were investigated. A combination of affinity chromatographic purification of biotin-tagged surface proteins with mass spectrometry analysis identified 26 integral membrane proteins and 14 peripheral surface proteins. The findings confirm earlier reports of altered expression in prostate cancer for several cell surface proteins, including ALCAM/CD166, the Ephrin type A receptor, EGFR and the prostaglandin F2 receptor regulatory protein. In addition, several novel findings of differential expression were made, including the voltage-dependent anion selective channel proteins Porin 1 and 2, ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) and Scavenger receptor B1. Cell surface protein expression changed both qualitatively and quantitatively when the cells were grown in the presence of either or both interferon INF alpha and INF gamma. Costimulation with type I and II interferons had additive or synergistic effects on the membrane density of several, mainly peripherally attached surface proteins. Concerted upregulation of surface exposed antigens may be of benefit in immuno-adjuvant-based treatment of interferon-responsive prostate cancer. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that differences in the expression of membrane proteins between normal and prostate cancer cells are reproducibly detectable following vectorial labelling with biotin, and that detailed analysis of extracellular-induced surface changes can be achieved by combining surface-specific labelling with high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Chemistry of mixed-ligand methoxy bonded oxidovanadium(V) complexes with a family of hydrazone ligands containing VO3+ core and their substituent controlled methoxy-bridged dimeric forms

[(VO)-O-IV(acac)(2)] reacts with an equimolar amount of benzoyl hydrazones of 2-hydroxyacetophenone (H2L1), 2-hydroxy-5-methylacetophenone (H2L2) and 5-chloro-2-hydroxyacetophenone (H2L4) in methanol to afford the penta-coordinated mixed-ligand methoxy bonded oxidovanadium(V) complexes [(VO)-O-V(L-1)-(OCHA(3))](1). [(VO)-O-V(L-2)(OCH3)](2), and [(VO)-O-V(L-4)(OCH3)](4), respectively, whereas, the similar reaction with the benzoyl hydrazone of 2-hydroxy-5-methoxyacetophenone (H2L3) producing only the hexa-coordinated dimethoxy-bridged dimeric complex [(VO)-O-V(L-3)(OCH3)](2) (3A). Similar type of hexa-coordinated dimeric analogue of 1 i.e., [(VO)-O-V(L-1)(OCH3)](2) (1A) was obtained from the reaction of [(VO)-O-IV(acac)(2)] with the equimolar amount of H2L1 in presence of half equivalent 4,4'-bipyridine in methanol while the decomposition of [(VO)-O-IV(L-2)(bipy)] complex in methanol afforded the dimeric analogue of 2 i.e., [(VO)-O-V(L-2)(OCH3)](2) (2A). All these dimeric complexes 1A-3A react with an excess amount of imidazole in methanol producing the respective monomeric complex. The X-ray structural analysis of 1-3 and their dimeric analogues 1A-3A indicates that the geometry around the vanadium center in the monomeric form is distorted square-pyramidal while that of their respective dimeric forms is distorted octahedral, where the ligands are bonded to vanadium meridionally in their fully deprotonated enol forms. Due to the formation of bridge, the V-O(methoxy) bond in the dimeric complexes is lengthened to such an extent that it becomes equal in length with the V-O(phenolate) bond in 3A and even longer in 1A and 2A, which is unprecedented. The H-1 NMR spectra of the complexes 1A-3A in CDCl3 solution, indicates that these dimeric complexes are converted appreciably into their respective monomeric form. Complexes are electro-active displaying one quasi-reversible reduction peak near +0.25 V versus SCE in CH2Cl2 solution. The E-1/2 values of the complexes show linear relationship with the Hammett parameter (sigma) of the substituents. All these VO3+-complexes are converted to the corresponding complexes with V2O34+ motif simply on refluxing them in acetone and to the complexes with VO2+ motif on reaction with 2 KOH in methanol. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Water-soluble tripeptide A beta(9-11) forms amyloid-like fibrils and exhibits neurotoxicity

A water-soluble, hydrophilic tripeptide GYE, having sequence identity with the N-terminal segment of amyloid peptides A,beta(9-11), upon self-association exhibits amyloid-like fibrils and significant neurotoxicity towards the Neuro2A cell line. However, the tripeptides GFE and GWE, in which the centrally located tyrosine residue has been replaced by phenylalanine or tryptophan, fail to show amyloidogenic behavior and exhibit little or no neurotoxicity.

A short water-soluble self-assembling peptide forms amyloid-like fibrils

A water-soluble tripeptide Val-Ile-Ala (VIA) 1, bearing sequence identity with the C-terminal portion of the Alzheimer A beta-peptide (A beta(40-42)), self-assembles, in crystalline form, to produce an intermolecularly hydrogen bonded supramolecular beta-sheet structure which self-associates to form straight, unbranched nanofibrils exhibiting amyloid-like behavior; in contrast, the synthetic tripeptide Ala-Val-Ile (AVI) 2 self-assembles to produce a beta-sheet structure that forms branched nanofibrils which do not show any characteristic features of amyloid-like fibrils.

Young's modulus varies with differential orientation of keratin in feathers

Feathers are composed of a structure that, whilst being very light, is able to withstand the large aerodynamic forces exerted upon them during flight. To explore the contribution of molecular orientation to feather keratin mechanical properties, we have examined the nanoscopic organisation of the keratin molecules by X-ray diffraction techniques and have confirmed a link between this and the Young's modulus of the feather rachis. Our results indicate that along the rachis length, from calamus to tip, the keratin molecules become more aligned than at the calamus before returning to a state of higher mis-orientation towards the tip of the rachis. We have also confirmed the general trend of increasing Young's modulus with distance along the rachis. Furthermore, we report a distinct difference in the patterns of orientation of beta-keratin in the feathers of flying and flightless birds. The trend for increased modulus along the feathers of volant birds is absent in the flightless ostrich.

Effect of oxidized low-density lipoprotein on differential gene expression in primary human endothelial cells

Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plays an important role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. It has been proposed that the biological action of oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) may be partially attributed to its effect on a shift of the pattern of gene expression in endothelial cells. To examine the transcriptional response to ox-LDL, we applied cDNA array technology to cultured primary human endothelial cells challenged with oxidized human LDL. A twofold or greater difference in the expression of a particular gene was considered a significant difference in transcript abundance. Seventy-eight of the 588 genes analyzed were differentially expressed in response to the treatment. Ox-LDL significantly affected the expression of genes encoding for transcription factors, cell receptors, growth factors, adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix proteins, and enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism. The alteration of the expression pattern of several genes was substantiated post hoc using RT-PCR. The experimental strategy identified several novel ox-LDL-sensitive genes associated with a "response to injury" providing a conceptual background to be utilized for future studies addressing the molecular basis of the early stages of atherogenesis.

Effect of circulating forms of soy isoflavones on the oxidation of low density lipoprotein

Soy isoflavones are thought to have a cardioprotective effect that is partly mediated by an inhibitory influence on the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL). However, the aglycone forms investigated in many previous studies do not circulate in appreciable quantities because they are metabolised in the gut and liver. We investigated effects of various isoflavone metabolites, including for the first time the sulphated conjugates formed in the liver and the mucosa of the small intestine, on copper-induced LDL oxidation. The parent aglycones inhibited oxidation, although only 5% as well as quercetin. Metabolism increased or decreased their effectiveness. Equol inhibited 2.65-fold better than its parent compound daidzein and 8-hydroxydaidzein, not previously assessed, was 12.5-fold better than daidzein. However, monosulphated conjugates of genistein, daidzein and equol were much less effective and disulphates completely ineffective. Since almost all isoflavones circulate as conjugates, these data suggest that despite the increased potency produced by some metabolic changes, isoflavones may not be effective antioxidants in vivo unless they are deconjugated again.

Metabolism of dietary phytochemicals: a review of the metabolic forms identified in humans

Dietary derived phytochemicals have been proposed to act as beneficial agents in a multitude of disease states, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the biological effect of such compounds will ultimately depend on the cellular effects of their circulating metabolites. The focus of this review is to examine the current knowledge regarding the biotransformation of different classes of phytochemicals in humans. Notably, the data compiled here represents only that obtained from human studies following consumption of phytochemicals in meals or in a dose comparable with normal dietary intake. In addition, we have considered only those studies where more powerful analytical techniques have been used in the characterisation of metabolic forms. We provide clear information regarding the types of metabolites that are likely to be present in humans following oral ingestion. Ultimately this will help identify metabolic forms that should represent the focus of future cellular mechanistic investigations.

Dietary vitamin E modulates differential gene expression in the rat hippocampus: potential implications for its neuroprotective properties

A wide range of cell culture, animal and human epidemiological studies are suggestive of a role of vitamin E (VE) in brain function and in the prevention of neurodegeneration. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the current investigation Affymetrix gene chip technology was utilised to establish the impact of chronic VE deficiency on hippocampal genes expression. Male albino rats were fed either a VE deficient or standard diet (60 mg/kg feed) for a period of 9 months. Rats were sacrificed, the hippocampus removed and genes expression established in individual animals. VE deficiency showed to have a strong impact on genes expression in the hippocampus. An important number of genes found to be regulated by VE was associated with hormones and hormone metabolism, nerve growth factor, apoptosis, dopaminergic neurotransmission, and clearance of amyloid-beta and advanced glycated endproducts. In particular, VE strongly affected the expression of an array of genes encoding for proteins directly or indirectly involved in the clearance of amyloid beta, changes which are consistent with a protective effect of VE on Alzheimer's disease progression.