Microbial and dietary factors associated with the 8-prenylnaringenin producer phenotype: a dietary intervention trial with fifty healthy post-menopausal Caucasian women.

Hop-derived food supplements and beers contain the prenylflavonoids xanthohumol (X), isoxanthohumol (IX) and the very potent phyto-oestrogen (plant-derived oestrogen mimic) 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN). The weakly oestrogenic IX can be bioactivated via O-demethylation to 8-PN. Since IX usually predominates over 8-PN, human subjects may be exposed to increased doses of 8-PN.

A first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the use of a standardized hop extract to alleviate menopausal discomforts.

Objectives: To examine the efficacy of a hop extract enriched in 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN, the phytoestrogen in hops, Humulus lupulus L.) on relief of menopausal discomforts.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study over 12 weeks with 67 menopausal women, who were administered a hop extract standardized on 8-PN (100 or 250 microg).

Mucosal response in African catfish after administration of Vibrio anguillarum O2 antigens via different routes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of mucosal vaccination in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) with Vibrio anguillarum O2 bacterins. The antigen was administered via different routes: anal intubation, oral administration, intraperitoneal injection and immersion. To monitor the antigen uptake, a competitive ELISA was used.

Oral vaccination of African catfish with Vibrio anguillarum O2: effect on antigen uptake and immune response by absorption enhancers in lag time coated pellets.

The impact on antigen uptake and antibody response by the addition of absorption enhancers to Vibrio anguillarum O2 antigen was studied in oral vaccination trials of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Oral vaccination was achieved by feeding lag time coated pellets. The lag time coat prevents premature release of the encapsulated vaccine in the tank, before ingestion of the pellets by the fish.

Development of a lag time coating for drug-layered fish feed pellets.

The purpose of this work was to develop a release-delaying coat for drug-layered fish pellets, in order to prevent a premature release of the drug in the tank water but allowing a rapid release after uptake by the fish. Blank pellets were prepared in a rotary processor and drug layered in a Wurster coater with bovine serum albumin or riboflavin using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as a binder. On the drug-loaded pellets, different mixtures of ethyl cellulose (EC) and HPMC were applied as the release-delaying coat.