Experimental study on genistein prevention and treatment of transplant arteriosclerosis in aortic transplants of rat

Regulation of the immune response by soybean isoflavones

Soybeans are rich in immuno-modulatory isoflavones such as genistein, daidzein, and glycitein. These isoflavones are well-known antioxidants, chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory agents. Several epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of traditional soy food containing isoflavones is associated with reduced prevalence of chronic health disorders. Isoflavones are considered to be phytoestrogens because of their ability to bind to estrogen receptors. The literature is extensive on the chemistry, bio-availability, and bio-activity of isoflavones. However, their effects on immune response are yet to be fully understood, but are beginning to be appreciated. We review the role of isoflavones in regulation of the immune response and their potential clinical applications in immune-dysfunction. Special emphasis will be made regarding in vivo studies including humans and animal model systems.

Dimethyl sulfoxide induces both direct and indirect tau hyperphosphorylation

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is widely used as a solvent or vehicle for biological studies, and for treatment of specific disorders, including traumatic brain injury and several forms of amyloidosis. As Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains are characterized by deposits of β-amyloid peptides, it has been suggested that DMSO could be used as a treatment for this devastating disease. AD brains are also characterized by aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, but the effect of DMSO on tau phosphorylation is unknown. We thus investigated the impact of DMSO on tau phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo. One hour following intraperitoneal administration of 1 or 2 ml/kg DMSO in mice, no change was observed in tau phosphorylation. However, at 4 ml/kg, tau was hyperphosphorylated at AT8 (Ser²⁰²/Thr²⁰⁵), PHF-1 (Ser³⁹⁶/Ser⁴⁰⁴) and AT180 (Thr²³¹) epitopes. At this dose, we also noticed that the animals were hypothermic. When the mice were maintained normothermic, the effect of 4 ml/kg DMSO on tau hyperphosphorylation was prevented. On the other hand, in SH-SY5Y cells, 0.1% DMSO induced tau hyperphosphorylation at AT8 and AT180 phosphoepitopes in normothermic conditions. Globally, these findings demonstrate that DMSO can induce tau hyperphosphorylation indirectly via hypothermia in vivo, and directly in vitro. These data should caution researchers working with DMSO as it can induce artifactual results both in vivo and in vitro.

Genistein-3'-sulfonic acid dihydrate

In the title compound [systematic name: 5-(5,7-dihydr­oxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen­yl)-2-hydroxy­benzene­sulfonic acid dihydrate], C₁₅H₁₀O₈S·2H₂O, the benzopyran­one ring is not coplanar with the phenyl ring, the dihedral angle between them being 41.35 (3)°. No H atom was placed on the sulphonic acid group because it was not possible to distinguish between the two S=O bonds and the S—O bond. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are linked by classical O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O intra- and inter­molecular hydrogen bonds and aromatic π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distance of 3.4523 (14) Å between the 1, 4-pyran­one rings and the benzene rings, and 3.6337 (14) Å between the benzene rings] into a supra­molecular structure.