Normal cadmium uptake in microcytic anemia mk/mk mice suggests that DMT1 is not the only cadmium transporter in vivo.

Divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) is a mammalian iron (Fe) transporter and also transports Cadmium (Cd) in vitro. This study compared Cd absorption in DMT1-dysfunctional MK/Rej-(mk)/(mk) mice (mk/mk mice) and in DMT1-functional, Fe-deficient wild-type (WT) mice, to clarify the role of DMT1 in intestinal Cd absorption in vivo. Mice were given 1 ppm CdCl2 aq in drinking water for 2 weeks, and the concentrations of Cd and Fe in liver, kidney, and intestinal epithelium were subsequently determined.

Cytotoxic activity of styrylchromones against human tumor cell lines.

A total of 6 newly-synthesized styrylchromones (SC-1 approximately SC-6) were compared for their cytotoxic activity against three normal oral human cells (gingival fibroblast HGF, pulp cell HPC, periodontal ligament fibroblast HPLF) and four human tumor cell lines (squamous cell carcinoma HSC-2, HSC-3, submandibular gland carcinoma HSG, promyelocytic leukemia HL-60). All compounds showed higher cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines than against normal cells. Among the 6 compounds, SC-3, SC-4 and SC-5, which have one to three methoxy groups, showed higher tumor specificity and water solubility.