Use of magnetic nanoparticles to monitor alginate-encapsulated betaTC-tet cells.

Noninvasive monitoring of tissue-engineered constructs is an important component in optimizing construct design and assessing therapeutic efficacy. In recent years, cellular and molecular imaging initiatives have spurred the use of iron oxide-based contrast agents in the field of NMR imaging. Although their use in medical research has been widespread, their application in tissue engineering has been limited.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic investigation of mitochondrial fuel metabolism and energetics in cultured human fibroblasts: effects of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency and dichloroacetate.

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is integral to metabolism and energetics. Congenital PDC deficiency leads to lactic acidosis, neurological degeneration and early death. An investigational compound for such defects is dichloroacetate (DCA), which activates the PDC (inhibiting reversible phosphorylation of the E1alpha subunit) and decreases its turnover.

Mechanisms of the growth inhibitory effects of the isoflavonoid biochanin A on LNCaP cells and xenografts.

Background: Isoflavones inhibit the growth of some types of tumor cells, including prostate adenocarcinoma. This study used LNCaP cells and xenografts to investigate the mechanisms of the antiproliferative effects of biochanin A, a major isoflavone present in red clover but not soy-derived products.

Methods: LNCaP cells were exposed to varying doses of biochanin A to evaluate viability, DNA synthesis, and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL) analysis.