Soy isoflavone aglycones are absorbed faster and in higher amounts than their glucosides in humans

Isoflavones are contained in soybean or soy foods in two chemical forms, i.e., aglycones and glucosides. We investigated the difference in the absorption of soy isoflavone aglycones and glucosides in humans. After a single, low dose intake (0.11 mmol), the highest isoflavone concentrations in plasma were reached 2 and 4 h after ingestion of aglycones and glucosides, respectively; subjects were four men (41 y old) and four women (45 y old). The highest plasma concentration after aglycone intake was more than two times greater than that after glucoside ingestion. In a similar manner, we then compared the plasma isoflavone concentration profiles after intake of a single, high dose of isoflavones (1.7 mmol) in eight subjects (four men, 40 y old; four women, 47 y old) and found the highest plasma concentration after aglycone intake was more than five times higher than that after glucoside intake. In both high and low dose intake tests, the plasma concentration of genistein was significantly higher than that of daidzein despite the similar levels of intake. After long-term (4 wk) intakes (0.30 mmol/d), we also measured the plasma concentration of isoflavones (eight men, 45 y old). After 2 and 4 wk, these concentrations remained >100% higher after ingestion of aglycones than of glucosides. The isoflavone aglycones were absorbed faster and in greater amounts than their glucosides in humans. Isoflavone aglycone-rich products may be more effective than glucoside-rich products in preventing chronic disease such as coronary heart disease.

Real-Time Use of Artificial Intelligence in Identification of Diminutive Polyps During Colonoscopy: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) for colonoscopy may help endoscopists distinguish neoplastic polyps (adenomas) requiring resection from nonneoplastic polyps not requiring resection, potentially reducing cost.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the performance of real-time CAD with endocytoscopes (×520 ultramagnifying colonoscopes providing microvascular and cellular visualization of colorectal polyps after application of the narrow-band imaging [NBI] and methylene blue staining modes, respectively).

DESIGN

Single-group, open-label, prospective study. (UMIN [University hospital Medical Information Network] Clinical Trial Registry: UMIN000027360).

SETTING

University hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

791 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy and 23 endoscopists.

INTERVENTION

Real-time use of CAD during colonoscopy.

MEASUREMENTS

CAD-predicted pathology (neoplastic or nonneoplastic) of detected diminutive polyps (≤5 mm) on the basis of real-time outputs compared with pathologic diagnosis of the resected specimen (gold standard). The primary end point was whether CAD with the stained mode produced a negative predictive value (NPV) of 90% or greater for identifying diminutive rectosigmoid adenomas, the threshold required to "diagnose-and-leave" nonneoplastic polyps. Best- and worst-case scenarios assumed that polyps lacking either CAD diagnosis or pathology were true- or false-positive or true- or false-negative, respectively.

RESULTS

Overall, 466 diminutive (including 250 rectosigmoid) polyps from 325 patients were assessed by CAD, with a pathologic prediction rate of 98.1% (457 of 466). The NPVs of CAD for diminutive rectosigmoid adenomas were 96.4% (95% CI, 91.8% to 98.8%) (best-case scenario) and 93.7% (CI, 88.3% to 97.1%) (worst-case scenario) with stained mode and 96.5% (CI, 92.1% to 98.9%) (best-case scenario) and 95.2% (CI, 90.3% to 98.0%) (worst-case scenario) with NBI.

LIMITATION

Two thirds of the colonoscopies were conducted by experts who had each experienced more than 200 endocytoscopies; 186 polyps not assessed by CAD were excluded.

CONCLUSION

Real-time CAD can achieve the performance level required for a diagnose-and-leave strategy for diminutive, nonneoplastic rectosigmoid polyps.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

Proanthocyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds attenuates the development of aortic atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiatherosclerotic effect of proanthocyanidin-rich extracts from grape seeds in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Proanthocyanidin-rich extracts (0.1% and 1% in diets [w/w]) did not appreciably affect the changes in serum lipid profile of cholesterol-fed rabbits. The level of cholesteryl ester hydroperoxides (ChE-OOH) induced by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane-dihydrochloride (AAPH) were lower in the plasma of rabbits fed proanthocyanidin-rich extract plus cholesterol than in the plasma of rabbits fed cholesterol alone, but not in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Aortic malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased in rabbits fed proanthocyanidin-rich extract. Feeding proanthocyanidin-rich extracts (0.1 and 1% in the diet) to rabbits significantly reduced severe atherosclerosis in the aorta. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a decrease in the number of oxidized LDL-positive macrophage-derived foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta of rabbits fed proanthocyanidin-rich extract. When proanthocyanidin-rich extract was administered orally to rats, proanthocyanidin was detected in the plasma by Porters method but not in the lipoproteins (LDL plus VLDL). In an in vitro experiment using human plasma, proanthocyanidin-rich extract added to the plasma inhibited the oxidation of cholesteryl linoleate in LDL, but not in the LDL isolated after the plasma and the extract were incubated in advance. These results suggested that proanthocyanidins, the major polyphenols in red wine, might trap reactive oxygen species in aqueous series such as plasma and interstitial fluid of the arterial wall, thereby inhibiting oxidation of LDL and showing an antiatherosclerotic activity.

Safety evaluation of proanthocyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds

Proanthocyanidins, extracted from grape seeds, are widely used mainly as nutritional supplements. However, there has not been a systematic report to investigate toxicological studies on proanthocyanidins, especially in oral administration. In our studies, proanthocyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds was subjected to a series of toxicological tests to document its safety for use in various foods. The grape seed extract (GSE) was examined for acute and subchronic oral toxicity using Fischer 344 rats and for mutagenic potential by the reverse mutation test using Salmonella typhimurium, the chromosomal aberration test using CHL cells, and the micronucleus test using ddY mice. No evidence of acute oral toxicity at dosages of 2 and 4 g/kg, and no evidence of mutagenicity in the above tests was found. Administration of GSE as a dietary admixture at levels of 0.02, 0.2 and 2% (w/w) to the rats for 90 days did not induce noticeable signs of toxicity. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of GSE in the subchronic toxicity study was 2% in the diet (equal to 1410 mg/kg body weight/day in males and 1501 mg/kg body weight/day in females). The results of our studies indicate a lack of toxicity and support the use of proanthocyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds for various foods.

Aspartate-based inhibitor of interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme prevents antitumor agent-induced apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia U937 cells

We found that a novel protease inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Asp-CH2OC(O)-2,6-dichlorobenzene (Z-Asp-CH2-DCB), which can preferentially inhibit interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE), completely blocked the apoptotic cell death of human myeloid leukemia U937 cells caused by etoposide, camptothecin, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-cytosine and Adriamycin, as well as TNF-alpha, anti-Fas antibody and staurosporine. However, Z-Asp-CH2-DCB did not block non-apoptotic cell death of U937 cells caused by etoposide during prolonged incubation periods. These results indicate that ICE or ICE-like proteases inhibited by Z-Asp-CH2-DCB are involved in a common pathway of apoptotic cell death in U937 cells.

Isoflavone aglycone-rich extract without soy protein attenuates atherosclerosis development in cholesterol-fed rabbits

The antiatherogenic effect of soy protein with intact isoflavones is well established, but the effects of isoflavones without soy protein have not been determined. We investigated the antiatherogenic effect of an isoflavone aglycone-rich extract (containing 429.4 mg/g isoflavone aglycones) without soy protein from fermented soy in cholesterol-fed rabbits. We fed 12-wk-old New Zealand white male rabbits diets containing 1 g/100 g cholesterol with 0, 0.33 or 1 g/100 g isoflavone aglycones for 8 wk. We also fed the rabbits a diet containing 1 g/100 g cholesterol with 1.09 g/100 g soy saponin-rich extract, a component other than isoflavone aglycones in the isoflavone aglycone-rich extract. Controls did not consume cholesterol, isoflavone aglycones or saponins. The isoflavone aglycone- and saponin-rich extracts did not affect the serum lipid profile of cholesterol-fed rabbits. The serum concentration of daidzein in its conjugated form was significantly higher in the high isoflavone group than in the low isoflavone group. The level of cholesteryl ester hydroperoxide (ChE-OOH) induced by CuSO(4) in plasma in the high isoflavone group was significantly less than that in the cholesterol group, and the ChE-OOH levels of LDL in the low and high isoflavone groups were significantly less than those in the cholesterol group. The ChE-OOH levels in plasma and LDL in the saponin group did not differ from the cholesterol group. In the aortic arch, the cholesterol concentration was significantly lower in the high isoflavone group, and malondialdehyde concentration was significantly lower in the low and high isoflavone groups compared with the cholesterol group; however these concentrations in the saponin group did not differ from those in the cholesterol group. The atherosclerotic lesion area of the aortic arch was significantly lower in the isoflavone groups (26.3% lower in the low isoflavone group and 36.9% lower in the high isoflavone group) than in the cholesterol group. The lesion areas were not different in the soy saponin and cholesterol groups. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed fewer oxidized LDL-positive macrophage-derived foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic arch of isoflavone groups compared with that of the cholesterol group. These results suggest that the antioxidative action of isoflavones and their antioxidative metabolites inhibit the oxidation of LDL, thereby exerting an antiatherosclerotic effect.

The molecular interaction of Fas and FAP-1. A tripeptide blocker of human Fas interaction with FAP-1 promotes Fas-induced apoptosis

Fas (APO-1/CD95), which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is a cell surface receptor that induces apoptosis. A protein tyrosine phosphatase, Fas-associated phosphatase-1 (FAP-1), that was previously identified as a Fas binding protein interacts with the C-terminal 15 amino acids of the regulatory domain of the Fas receptor. To identify the minimal region of the Fas C-terminal necessary for binding to FAP-1, we employed an in vitro inhibition assay of Fas/FAP-1 binding using a series of synthetic peptides as well as a screen of random peptide libraries by the yeast two-hybrid system. The results showed that the C-terminal three amino acids (SLV) of human Fas were necessary and sufficient for its interaction with the third PDZ (GLGF) domain of FAP-1. Furthermore, the direct cytoplasmic microinjection of this tripeptide (Ac-SLV) resulted in the induction of Fas-mediated apoptosis in a colon cancer cell line that expresses both Fas and FAP-1. Since t(S/T)X(V/L/I) motifs in the C termini of several other receptors have been shown to interact with PDZ domain in signal transducing molecules, this may represent a general motif for protein-protein interactions with important biological functions.

Immunologic aspects of the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse. Abnormalities of cellular immunity

Experiments were performed on 12-wk-old nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice to investigate the immunologic background of the condition, using ICR mice as controls. The results indicate the following: (1) absolute decreases in number of T lymphocytes, (2) depression of natural killer activity, (3) normal responsiveness in delayed type hypersensitivity and functional depression of killer T cells against allogeneic tumors, (4) diminished resistance to herpes virus infection, and (5) enhanced production of polyclonal antibodies to T cell-dependent antigens. These features are similar to those noted in other autoimmune diseases of man and in their experimental models in laboratory animals. Elucidation of the pathogenetic mechanism of autoimmune diabetes mellitus in NOD mice, therefore, may contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide variety of autoimmune diseases.

Detection of cytokines in bovine colostrum

Colostrum contains factors that are protective for the neonate and may be a source of immunomodulary molecules that positively influence the immune status of the neonate. To confirm that colostrum contains a variety of cytokines with immunomodulatory properties, we established a bovine cytokine specific ELISA and five cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma or IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-1ra) in the whey samples from cows at different stages of lactation were monitored. The expression of cytokine mRNAs (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and INF-gamma) in the colostral cells was detected by RT-PCR. The concentrations of cytokines in colostrum were significantly higher concentrations than those in the mature milk. A positive correlation was observed between the concentrations of IL-1ra and IL-1 beta in the colostrum samples. In conclusion, colostrum contains high levels of cytokines that could be produced and secreted in the mammary gland and that may have an immunomodulatory activity and influence neonatal immunity.

Increase of antioxidative potential of rat plasma by oral administration of proanthocyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds

The effect of a single oral administration of proanthocyanidins, oligomeric and polymeric polyhydroxyflavan-3-ol units, on the antioxidative potential of blood plasma was studied in rats. Proanthocyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds was administered by intragastric intubation to fasted rats at 250 mg/kg of body weight. The plasma obtained from water- or proanthocyanidin-administered rats was oxidized by incubation with copper sulfate or 2, 2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) at 37 degrees C, and the formation of cholesteryl ester hydroperoxides (CE-OOH) was followed. The plasma obtained from proanthocyanidin-administered rats was significantly more resistant against both copper ion-induced and AAPH-induced formation of CE-OOH than that from control rats. The lag phase in the copper ion-induced oxidation of rat plasma was remarkably increased at 15 min after administration of proanthocyanidins and reached a maximum level at 30 min. When the plasma from proanthocyanidin-administered rat was hydrolyzed by sulfatase and beta-glucuronidase following analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, metabolites of proanthocyanidins occurred in rat plasma at 15 min after administration, three peaks of which were identified as gallic acid, (+)-catechin, and (-)-epicatechin. These results suggest that the intake of proanthocyanidins, the major polyphenols in red wine, increases the resistance of blood plasma against oxidative stress and may contribute to physiological functions of plant food including wine through their in vivo antioxidative ability.

Paramedian pontine infarction. Neurological/topographical correlation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been few reports of pontine syndromes secondary to paramedian pontine infarctions. To clarify the clinicotopographical correlation and prognosis of paramedian pontine infarct syndromes, we analyzed the clinical signs and their association with MRI findings.

METHODS

We studied 49 patients with acute paramedian pontine infarcts and classified them into three subtypes on the basis of lesion location on MRI. Patient clinical status was assessed by Rankin Disability Scale (RDS) scores on admission and at 60 days after onset of stroke.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients had basal infarcts. Clinical findings included dysarthria (n = 27), hemiparesis with upper extremity predominance (n = 15), brachial monoparesis (n = 4), and pathological laughing (n = 3). Fifteen patients had basal-tegmental infarcts. Clinical findings presented with hemiparesis and horizontal gaze abnormalities, including abducens nerve palsy (n = 1), internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) (n = 5), horizontal gaze palsy (n = 1), one-and-a-half syndrome (n = 1), and superficial or proprioceptive sensory dysfunction (n = 8). Seven patients had tegmental infarcts. Clinical findings included INO (n = 1), horizontal gaze palsy (n = 2), one-and-a-half syndrome (n = 3), and sensory changes (n = 2). On both admission and 60 days later, the RDS scores of the patients with upper pontine lesions were significantly better than those with lower pontine lesions (P < .01). The RDS scores of the patients with basal-tegmental infarct in the upper pons were significantly better than those with infarct in the lower pons (P < .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Paramedian pontine infarcts, which are usually due to thrombosis of perforating arteries, presented with a faciobrachial dominant hemiparesis with dysarthria, somatosensory disturbance, and horizontal gaze abnormalities. The favorable outcome may be related to the level of the pontine lesion, which influences the effect on the corticospinal tract.

Simplified isoelectric focusing/immunoblotting determination of apoprotein E phenotype

We developed a rapid, accurate method for phenotyping apoprotein E that can be used for large-scale population studies. In this method, adapted from the method of Kamboh et al. (J Lipid Res 1988;29:1535-43), 10-microL plasma samples are incubated with dithiothreitol and Tween-20 for 15 min and then applied to 5% polyacrylamide gels containing ampholyte (pH 4.5-8) and urea (3 mol/L). After 2 h of isoelectric focusing, the apoprotein E bands are made visible by immunoblotting. Utilizing whole plasma, this method does not require time-consuming ultracentrifugation, delipidation of samples, or dialysis. Small amounts of plasma are required, electrofocusing time is short, and as many as 160 samples can be processed per day. Identification of phenotype is easily accomplished by noting the location and number of protein bands instead of their intensity. Because identification of phenotype is not affected by sialylation, neuraminidase treatment is not necessary. Agreement in identification of 301 individuals from blinded duplicates was 96%, and there was 98% concordance of results for 431 samples that had undergone genetic typing. This method is thus well suited for large-scale population studies.

Direct interaction of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor with leukemia-associated RhoGEF

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 plays crucial roles in growth control and rearrangements of the cytoskeleton. IGF-1 binds to the IGF-1 receptor and thereby induces the autophosphorylation of this receptor at its tyrosine residues. The phosphorylation of the IGF-1 receptor is thought to initiate a cascade of events. Although various signaling molecules have been identified, they appear to interact with the tyrosine-phosphorylated IGF-1 receptor. Here, we identified leukemia-associated Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) (LARG), which contains the PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ), regulator of G protein signaling (RGS), Dbl homology, and pleckstrin homology domains, as a nonphosphorylated IGF-1 receptor-interacting molecule. LARG formed a complex with the IGF-1 receptor in vivo, and the PDZ domain of LARG interacted directly with the COOH-terminal domain of IGF-1 receptor in vitro. LARG had an exchange activity for Rho in vitro and induced the formation of stress fibers in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. When MDCKII epithelial cells were treated with IGF-1, Rho and its effector Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase) were activated and actin stress fibers were enhanced. Furthermore, the IGF-1-induced Rho-kinase activation and the enhancement of stress fibers were inhibited by ectopic expression of the PDZ and RGS domains of LARG. Taken together, these results indicate that IGF-1 activates the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway via a LARG/IGF-1 receptor complex and thereby regulates cytoskeletal rearrangements.

Nucleotide sequence of the beta-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase gene of alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain 1011 and similarity of its amino acid sequence to those of alpha-amylases

The nucleotide sequence of the gene for cyclodextrin glucanotransferase of alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain 1011 was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence at the NH2-terminal side of the enzyme showed a high homology with the sequences of alpha-amylase in the three regions which constitutes the active centers of alpha-amylases.

Human normal hepatocytes are susceptible to apoptosis signal mediated by both TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) triggers apoptosis in tumor cells without toxicity to normal cells, but some recombinant versions of TRAIL caused hepatocyte death. We generated fully human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that bind specifically to TRAIL receptor 1 (TRAIL-R1) and TRAIL receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2), which mediate apoptosis signal when they ligate with TRAIL, to investigate the contribution of each receptor to induce tumor cell apoptosis and hepatocyte toxicity. All of mAbs to TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2 induced cell death in several cancer cell lines susceptible to TRAIL but not in human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro. Both anti-TRAIL-R1 mAbs and anti-TRAIL-R2mAbs also caused cell death in hepatocytes. However, a subset of mAbs to TRAIL-R2, which was characterized by the TRAIL blocking activity, did not show strong hepatocyte toxicity. These results indicate that human normal hepatocytes are susceptible to both TRAIL-R1- and TRAIL-R2-mediated apoptosis signal. Cell Death and Differentiation (2004) 11, 203-207. doi:10.1038/sj.cdd.4401331 Published online 24 October 2003

Subcellular localization of glucocorticoid receptor protein in the human kidney glomerulus

BACKGROUND

The detailed mechanisms of glucocorticoid action in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and progressive glomerulonephritides have not been clearly elucidated. The pharmacological actions of glucocorticoids are mediated by their binding to an intracellular protein, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The determination of GR localization in normal glomerular cells is essential to elucidate the mechanisms of glucocorticoid action in various glomerular diseases.

METHODS

We carried out an immunoblot examination using antihuman GR-specific antibody and homogenates of isolated normal human glomeruli and mesangial cells in culture. Immunohistochemical examinations were also performed on normal human kidney specimens at light and electron microscopic levels. The nuclear translocation of GRs elicited by ligand binding was further investigated by confocal laser-scanning microscopic inspection of freshly isolated glomeruli and mesangial cells cultured with dexamethasone.

RESULTS

An immunoblot examination demonstrated the presence of a 94 kDa protein, a molecular weight consistent with that of GRs, in the homogenates of glomeruli and cultured mesangial cells. By light microscopic examination, GRs were strongly detected in the nucleus and moderately in the cytoplasm of all glomerular cells, parietal and visceral epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and mesangial cells. By electron microscopic examination, the nuclear GRs of all glomerular cells were found to be diffusely distributed in the euchromatin. Additionally, the immunofluorescence intensities of nuclear GRs in isolated glomeruli and mesangial cells in culture became more intense by the addition of dexamethasone.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that all subsets of human glomerular cells definitely express the GR protein, which potentially undergoes translocation by glucocorticoids.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in American Indians and its relation to plasma lipoproteins and diabetes. The Strong Heart Study

Apo E is an important genetic factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death among American Indians. We investigated the occurrence of the apo E alleles and the relation between apo E polymorphism and blood lipoproteins and apoproteins in members of 13 American Indian communities in three geographic areas. The frequencies of the epsilon 2 alleles in American Indians are significantly lower than those in white Americans, with the lowest frequencies of epsilon 2 in American Indians who reside in Arizona. Levels of LDL cholesterol and apo B were highest in those with epsilon 4 and lowest in those with epsilon 2. Concentrations of HDL cholesterol and apo A-I, however, tended to be lowest in epsilon 4 and highest in epsilon 2. Concentrations of total and VLDL triglycerides were lowest in the epsilon 3 group and higher in groups epsilon 2 and epsilon 4. Differences in concentrations of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apo B, and apo A-I with apo E polymorphism were greater in women than in men, and differences in total and VLDL triglyceride concentrations by apo E phenotype were greater in men. Relations of total and VLDL triglycerides with apo E phenotype were stronger in women after menopause. In addition, differences in nearly all lipid and apoprotein concentrations between postmenopausal women and premenopausal women were greater if they had epsilon 2. Relations between apo E phenotype and lipoproteins were seen in individuals with diabetes mellitus as well as in nondiabetics. Apo E was significantly related to glucose control in diabetic women; those with epsilon 3 had higher glucose and hemoglobin A1C concentrations. Our findings show that (1) American Indians have low frequencies of apo epsilon 2; (2) apo E phenotype can influence levels of VLDL, LDL, HDL, apo B, and apo A-I; (3) the associations of apo E polymorphisms with lipid parameters differ between men and women; and (4) the associations in women of apo E polymorphisms with lipid parameters are modified by menopausal status.

Antimicrobial triterpenes from Ilex integra and the mechanism of antifungal action

Antimicrobial triterpenes were isolated from the fruits of Ilex integra. Their structures were elucidated by spectral data and identified as rotundic acid (1), ulsolic acid (2) and peduncloside (3). Triterpene 1 showed significantly broad antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi. The antifungal activity of 1 was reversed by fatty acids. Cellular constituents leaked from Candida albicans cells incubated with triterpene 1. These results suggest that the antimicrobial activity of triterpenes in I. integra is due to a change of membrane permeability arising from membrane lipid alteration.

Delayed postanoxic encephalopathy after strangulation. Serial neuroradiological and neurochemical studies

A 13-year-old boy was the victim of attempted strangulation. His condition had returned to normal by the sixth day after the assault; however, from the seventh day, choreoathetosis, dystonia, and marked pseudobulbar paralysis developed in the boy. The computed tomographic scans and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images that were obtained at this time revealed low-density and high-signal intensities in the region of the bilateral putamen and caudate nucleus. These symptoms and the changes in his computed tomographic scans and magnetic resonance images subsided gradually during a 2-month period. Sequential analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid for gamma-aminobutyric acid and dopamine concentrations during his illness revealed reciprocal changes with normal recovery. Because of the delayed onset of neurological changes and the cerebrospinal fluid showing reversible symptoms, the delayed encephalopathy after strangulation had been related to the biochemical alterations that followed anoxia in the vulnerable basal ganglia.

Inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene-induced mouse forestomach neoplasia and reduction of H2O2 concentration in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes by flavour components of Japanese-style fermented soy sauce

Previously it was reported that 4-hydroxy-2 (or 5)-ethyl-5 (or 2)-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (HEMF), a characteristic flavour component of Japanese-style fermented soy sauce that exhibits antioxidant activity, inhibits benzo[a]pyrene-induced forestomach neoplasia in mice. The antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities of other structurally similar soy sauce flavour components are now reported. 4-Hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (HMF) and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (HDMF) were found to be antioxidants. In particular, HMF and HDMF (as well as HEMF) reduced hydrogen peroxide concentration in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes stimulated by arachidonic acid or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. HMF and HDMF were administered individually in semipurified diet to female ICR mice previously treated with benzo[a]pyrene (1.5 mg/wk, orally for 4 wk) to initiate forestomach neoplasia. The mice were killed at 30 wk of age. Both furanones reduced forestomach neoplasms, with HDMF exhibiting more potency. The data indicate that HDMF and HMF, like HEMF, inhibit carcinogenesis in this system by acting at the post-initiation stage.