Direct ingestion method for enhancing production and bioavailability of resveratrol and other phytoalexins in Vitis vinifera.

Phytoalexins such as resveratrol and pterostilbene, produced de novo by many plant species, including grapevine (Vitis vinifera), play a role in plant defense against injury and pathogens. In human cell lines and in animal studies, phytoalexins have been shown to be highly beneficial, with protective effects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, hyperglycemia, as well as potential effects on longevity. However, in clinical studies, there are multiple factors that restrict this plethora of health benefits attributed to phytoalexins.

New insights into ADPKD molecular pathways using combination of SAGE and microarray technologies.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is caused by mutations in the PKD1 or PKD2 gene, but cellular mechanisms of cystogenesis remain unclear. In an attempt to display the array of cyst-specific molecules and to elucidate the disease pathway, we have performed comprehensive high-throughput expression analysis of normal and ADPKD epithelia in a two-step fashion. First, we generated expression profiles of normal and cystic epithelia derived from kidney and liver using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE).

Tumors associated with oncogenic osteomalacia express genes important in bone and mineral metabolism.

Oncogenic osteomalacia (OOM) is associated with primitive mesenchymal tumors that secrete phosphaturic factors resulting in low serum concentrations of phosphate and calcitriol, phosphaturia, and defective bone mineralization. To identify overexpressed genes in these tumors, we compared gene expression profiles of tumors resected from patients with OOM and histologically similar control tumors using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). Three hundred and sixty-four genes were expressed at least twofold greater in OOM tumors compared with control tumors.