Molecular and cellular biochemistry
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Aug 2004
Differential antioxidant properties of red wine in water soluble and lipid soluble peroxyl radical generating systems.
Red wine and its components have been shown to possess cardioprotective and anti-atherogenic effects. Additionally, red wine and many of its components like catechin, epicatechin, rutin, transresveratrol and quercetin possess antioxidant properties. Oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) is involved in the development of an atherosclerotic lesion. ⋯ In summary, the five phenolic compounds displayed antioxidant effects in a water soluble free radical generating system, but only quercetin showed this in a lipid soluble one. However, red wine inhibited LDL oxidation by both water and lipid soluble free radical generating systems. Our data suggest, therefore, that red wines contain unidentified antioxidants that provide protection against LDL oxidation within a lipid soluble environment.
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Studies on vinca domain binding drugs were done in great details by a number of workers as it is recognized as a potential target for anticancer drug development. Their structures, properties, mode of action, success and failures as potential anticancer drug have been discussed in short details in this review. ⋯ Besides binding, these drugs also differ in the extent of GTP hydrolysis, GTP exchange and in the stabilization of colchicine binding site. The toxicity level of these drugs towards the host cells and the extent of efflux of drugs by the P-glycoprotein mediated pump are also discussed.
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Sep 2002
ReviewProtective role of magnesium in cardiovascular diseases: a review.
A considerable number of experimental, epidemiological and clinical studies are now available which point to an important role of Mg2+ in the etiology of cardiovascular pathology. In human subjects, hypomagnesemia is often associated with an imbalance of electrolytes such as Na+, K+ and Ca2+. Abnormal dietary deficiency of Mg2+ as well as abnormalities in Mg2+ metabolism play important roles in different types of heart diseases such as ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, atheroscelerosis, a number of cardiac arrhythmias and ventricular complications in diabetes mellitus. ⋯ Mg2+ supplemented K+ cardioplegia modulates Ca2+ accumulation and is directly involved in the mechanisms leading to enhanced post ischemic functional recovery in the aged myocardium following ischemia. While many of these mechanisms remain controversial and in some cases speculative, the beneficial effects related to consequences of Mg2+ supplementation are apparent. Further research are needed for the incorporation of these findings toward the development of novel myocardial protective role of Mg2+ to reduce morbidity and mortality of patients suffering from a variety of cardiac diseases.
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · May 2002
ReviewMolecular mechanisms of nitrogen dioxide induced epithelial injury in the lung.
The lung can be exposed to a variety of reactive nitrogen intermediates through the inhalation of environmental oxidants and those produced during inflammation. Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) include, nitrogen dioxide (. NO2) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-). ⋯ During periods of epithelial loss and regeneration that occur in diseases such as asthma or during lung development, epithelial cells in the lung may be uniquely susceptible to death. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of epithelial cell death associated with the exposure to. NO2 will be important in designing therapeutics aimed at protecting the lung from persistent injury and repair.
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · May 2002
Control of mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS formation by reversible phosphorylation of cytochrome c oxidase.
Phosphorylation of isolated cytochrome c oxidase from bovine kidney and heart, and of the reconstituted heart enzyme, with protein kinase A, cAMP and ATP turns on the allosteric ATP-inhibition at high ATP/ADP ratios. Also incubation of isolated bovine liver mitochondria only with cAMP andATP turns on, and subsequent incubation with Ca2+ turns off the allosteric ATP-inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase. ⋯ The results support the 'molecular-physiological hypothesis' [29], which proposes a low mitochondrial membrane potential through the allosteric ATP-inhibition. A hormone- or agonist-stimulated increase of cellular [Ca2+] is suggested to activate a mitochondrial protein phosphatase which dephosphorylates cytochrome c oxidase, turns off the allosteric ATP-inhibition and results in increase of mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS formation.