Cellular uptake of soy-derived phytoestrogens in vitro and in human whole blood

Epidemiological studies comparing typical Western and traditional Eastern lifestyles indicate that dietary intake of soyderived phytoestrogens, including genistein, daidzein, and equol, may have significant health protective effects on hormone-dependent cancers, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. Phytoestrogens have been demonstrated to exert varying effects depending on tissue, endogenous hormone concentrations, and receptor types. Thus, a detailed understanding of the biodistribution and bioavailability of specific phytoestrogens is required in order to predict the subsequent biologic activities. In this study we aimed to investigate the cellular uptake of these soy-derived phytoestrogens in different cell types, including the mammary MCF-7/6 and MDAB-MB 231 cell lines, the ovarian Ishikawa Var-I cell lines and in murine adipocyte clusters. Furthermore, the biodistribution between serum and cell fraction was also investigated in human whole blood. Equol generally shows a higher cellular uptake when compared with genistein and daidzein. Therefore, equol may be more potent with respect to its relative bioactivity, which is corroborated by the observations of specific health effects associated with the equol-producer phenotype

Extra snijmais goed voor welzijn varkens

Vleesvarkens hebben graag een emmer snijmais. Dat blijkt uit praktijkonderzoek op Varkens Innovatie Centrum Sterksel, onderdeel van Wageningen UR. In vergelijking met stro heeft snijmais meer voederwaarde en het leidt minder snel tot verstoppingen in de mestput

Discovery of (S)-3′-hydroxyblebbistatin and (S)-3′-aminoblebbistatin : polar myosin II inhibitors with superior research tool properties

In search of myosin II inhibitors with superior research tool properties, a chemical optimization campaign of the blebbistatin scaffold was conducted in this paper. (S)-Blebbistatin is the best known small-molecule inhibitor of myosin II ATPase activity. Unfortunately, as a research tool this compound has several deficiencies: it is photolabile and (photo) toxic, has low water solubility, and its (fluorescent) precipitates interfere in (fluorescence) readouts. In view of obtaining tool compounds with improved properties, both enantiomers of a series of D-ring modified polar analogs were prepared. We identified (S)-3'-hydroxyblebbistatin (S)-2 and (S)-3'-aminoblebbistatin (S)-3 as two myosin II inhibitors with a 30-fold higher water solubility than (S)-blebbistatin. These molecules furthermore do not cause interference in (fluorescence) readouts. (S)-2 and (S)-3 thus are superior alternatives to (S)-blebbistatin as research tools to study myosin II

The in ovo CAM-assay as a xenograft model for sarcoma

Sarcoma is a very rare disease that is heterogeneous in nature, all hampering the development of new therapies. Sarcoma patients are ideal candidates for personalized medicine after stratification, explaining the current interest in developing a reproducible and low-cost xenotransplant model for this disease. The chick chorioallantoic membrane is a natural immunodeficient host capable of sustaining grafted tissues and cells without species-specific restrictions. In addition, it is easily accessed, manipulated and imaged using optical and fluorescence stereomicroscopy. Histology further allows detailed analysis of heterotypic cellular interactions. This protocol describes in detail the in ovo grafting of the chorioallantoic membrane with fresh sarcoma-derived tumor tissues, their single cell suspensions, and permanent and transient fluorescently labeled established sarcoma cell lines (Saos-2 and SW1353). The chick survival rates are up to 75%. The model is used to study graft-(viability, Ki67 proliferation index, necrosis, infiltration) and host (fibroblast infiltration, vascular ingrowth) behavior. For localized grafting of single cell suspensions, ECM gel provides significant advantages over inert containment materials. The Ki67 proliferation index is related to the distance of the cells from the surface of the CAM and the duration of application on the CAM, the latter determining a time frame for the addition of therapeutic products