Meta-Analysis: Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Lipid Profiles in Normal to Mildly Hypercholesterolemic Individuals.

Introduction: Recent experimental and clinical studies have suggested that probiotic supplementation has beneficial effects on serum lipid profiles. However, there are conflicting results on the efficacy of probiotic preparations in reducing serum cholesterol.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of probiotics on human serum lipid levels, we conducted a meta-analysis of interventional studies.

Quantitation of pilsicainide in microscale samples of human biological fluids using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

This paper describes a sensitive, reliable method to determine pilsicainide (PLC) levels in microscale sample volumes of human biological fluids using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI). PLC and quinidine as an internal standard were extracted with diethylether from 0.1mL of alkalinized biological fluids.

Cloning, expression, and characterization of cytosolic sulfotransferase isozymes from Drosophila melanogaster.

We have identified four cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT) homologs in the genome database of Drosophila melanogaster, and have designated these genes dmST1-4. Each of these four isozymes was subsequently classified into a different and novel gene family, as determined by the low amino acid sequence homology (less than 40%) between them, and also toward their vertebrate homologs. The transcripts for these four SULT homologs were detectable at all developmental stages in D.

Cloning and expression of a novel sulfotransferase with unique substrate specificity from Bombyx mori.

We identified a cDNA encoding a putative cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT) by searching the expressed sequence tag database of Bombyx mori, and subsequently obtained the full-length cDNA for this gene via rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). We designated this gene bmST1, and showed by sequence analysis that it belongs to a novel SULT family. The tissue specificity of bmST1 mRNA expression was examined in fifth instar larvae by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and transcripts were detectable in the silk gland, gut, fat body, and Malpighian tube.

A developed determination of midazolam and 1'-hydroxymidazolam in plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: application of human pharmacokinetic study for measurement of CYP3A activity.

This paper describes sensitive and reliable determination of midazolam (MDZ) and its major metabolite 1'-hydroxymidazolam (1-OHMDZ) in human plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with a sonic spray ionization (SSI) interface. MDZ, 1-OHMDZ and diazepam as an internal standard were extracted from 1ml of alkalinized plasma using n-hexane-chloroform (70:30, v/v). The extract was injected into an analytical column (YMC-Pak Pro C(18), 50mmx2.

A novel sulfotransferase abundantly expressed in the dauer larvae of Caenorhabditis elegans.

We have isolated a gene (clone Y113G7A.11) from Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), that we have designated as ceST1, and which is the only member of the cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT) gene family present in the genome of this organism.

[Analysis of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and oligomers in recycled polyethylene terephthalate].

Formaldehyde (FA), acetaldehyde (AA) and oligomers in recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were analyzed by HPLC. All of the physically recycled PET contained detectable levels of FA, AA and oligomers, and the levels were almost the same as in used bottles. Most superclean-like and chemically recycled PET contained lower levels than new pellets.

[Metals in recycled polyethylene terephthalate and discrimination method for its use].

Metals in recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were analyzed by ICP-MS following microwave digestion with nitric acid. Physically and superclean-like recycled PET contained both Ge and Sb, and sometimes contained Co, P or Si. In contrast, the chemically recycled PET contained only Ge or Sb, and some samples contained Co.

Age, gender and region-specific differences in drug metabolising enzymes in rat ocular tissues.

Previously we have reported our analyses of cytochrome P450 (CYP) expression in rat ocular tissues and in our current study we have extended these analyses to the different stages of growth in both male and female rats. Additionally, we have examined the expression levels of the different conjugation enzymes, sulfotransferases (SULTs), UDP-glucuronosyl transferases (UGTs) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), in ocular tissues. In 5-week-old animals, the CYP genes, CYP2B2 and CYP3A1, were abundantly expressed in the lens, with higher CYP1A1 expression detectable in the extra-lenticular tissues, of both genders.

[Analysis of residual volatiles in recycled polyethylene terephthalate].

The residual volatiles in recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were analyzed using headspace/GC/MS. Recycled PET samples were made from PET bottles used for beverages, alcohol and soy sauce, and they were recycled in physical recycling plants, chemical recycling plants and superclean-like recycling trials. The physically recycled PET flakes contained small amounts of volatiles such as ethanol, limonene, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, acetone, octanal and nonanal.

The effects of coffee on conjugation reactions in human colon carcinoma cells.

We examined the effect of coffee on conjugation reactions in the human colon carcinoma cell line, Caco-2. After supplementing Caco-2 cultures with both 1-naphthol (200 microM) and various concentrations of coffee, the accumulation of 1-naphthyl sulfate and glucuronide in the growth medium was determined by analytical HPLC over a 24-h period. A strong reduction in sulfo-conjugation (<50% of the control value) was observed in cells treated with coffee (IC50=4.

Oxidative stress induces GSTP1 and CYP3A4 expression in the human erythroleukemia cell line, K562.

To explore the effects of oxidative stress on metabolizing enzymes in blood cells, we examined the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) expression in a human erythroleukemic cell line, K562. After adding H(2)O(2) (up to 100 microM) to the culture medium of K562 cells, the expression levels of GST and CYP enzymes were monitored by RT-PCR. The expression of GSTP1 and CYP3A4 was induced by oxidative stress.

Identification and purification of sulfotransferases for 20-hydroxysteroid from the larval fat body of a fleshfly, Sarcophaga peregrina.

Sulfotransferase (ST) activity for 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) was identified in a larval fat body lysate of the fleshfly, Sarcophaga peregrina, but not in the hemolymph. The activity was highly sensitive to 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (DCNP) (IC50=0.61 microM), a specific inhibitor of phenol ST (P-ST), but insensitive to triethylamine, a hydroxysteroid ST inhibitor.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) expression in human myeloblastic and lymphoid cell lines.

To explore the physiological roles of cytochrome P450 (CYP) in peripheral blood cells, we examined which isoforms of CYP families were expressed in human myeloid leukemia cell lines (U937, HL-60 and K562) and lymphoid cell lines (BALL-1, MOLT-4 and Jurkat) by RT-PCR. We observed relatively high expression of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, CYP2A6, CYP2A7, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1 in all cell types, but CYP2A13 and CYP2C9 expression was not detected. Expressions of aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor and Ah receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT), which mediate induction of the CYP1 family, were also detected in all cell types.