Systematic review of green tea epigallocatechin gallate in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of humans.

We conducted a systematic review of the literature for the ability of green tea epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Study subjects were limited to healthy individuals and randomized, controlled trials on human serum lipid levels, especially LDL-C, conducted. A total of 17 trials (n = 1356) met all of the inclusion criteria.

Comparative analysis of transcriptional responses to the cryoprotectants, dimethyl sulfoxide and trehalose, which confer tolerance to freeze-thaw stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have used microarray analysis to monitor the gene expression profile of Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4743 in the presence of the cryoprotectants, dimethyl sulfoxide (Me(2)SO) and trehalose. Analysis of these profiles suggests that both cryoprotectants increased the expression of genes involved in protein synthesis, ribosomal biogenesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, ergosterol biosynthesis, cell wall biosynthesis, and cellular accumulation of low molecular compounds such as glycerol, arginine and proline. Cryoprotectant treatment reduced the expression of genes involved in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids.

Combined cadmium and thiuram show synergistic toxicity and induce mitochondrial petite mutants.

A bioassay is a system for monitoring toxicity of chemicals in the environment via the biological responses of experimental organisms. These responses can be detected by analysis of genome-wide changes in mRNA expression levels using DNA microarrays. We applied this system for evaluation of synergistic toxicity by cadmium and thiuram, as this combination showed mutual growth inhibition in yeast.

Genome-wide expression analysis of yeast response during exposure to 4 degrees C.

Adaptation to temperature fluctuation is essential for the survival of all living organisms. Although extensive research has been done on heat and cold shock responses, there have been no reports on global responses to cold shock below 10 degrees C or near-freezing. We examined the genome-wide expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, following exposure to 4 degrees C.

Construction of a data dependent analysis (DDA) yeast cDNA microarray experiment for use in toxicogenomics.

DNA microarrays are becoming increasingly popular in toxicogenomic studies. It is common knowledge that multiple repeats of microarray experiments have to be performed with multiple samples to get reliable data, due to experimental variations (both technical and biological) contained in microarray experiments. However, the use of multiple samples and replicate experiments is not practical in the field of environmental toxicology, since environmental samples are limited and microarray experiments are expensive.

Genomic profile of roundup treatment of yeast using DNA microarray analysis.

The herbicide Roundup, which contains glyphosate as the active ingredient, was first introduced in 1974 and has enjoyed widespread use in Japan and elsewhere in the world. Roundup-induced reactions occurring in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae may have a predictive value for understanding responses in higher eukaryotes, and we applied yeast DNA microarray analysis for this purpose. Functional characterization of up-regulated open reading frames (ORFs) following Roundup treatment suggests that Roundup affects membrane structures and cellular organelles.

Toxicity of anionic detergents determined by Saccharomyces cerevisiae microarray analysis.

Sodium n-dodecyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) are popular anionic detergents (surfactants) that are used worldwide and the toxicities of these chemicals have been characterized. We applied these chemicals in a DNA microarray bioassay and determined that the microarray data reflects previous findings and also provides some new information about anionic detergent toxicity. The mRNA expression profiles suggest that LAS and SDS cause damage to membranes and alterations in carbon metabolism, and induce the oxidative stress response.

Correlation of the structures of agricultural fungicides to gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae upon exposure to toxic doses.

Correlations between the chemical structures of agricultural fungicides and mRNA expression levels following exposure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to toxic doses of thiuram, zineb, maneb, TPN, and PCP were examined. Structurally, thiuram, zineb, and maneb are dithiocarbamate fungicides, whereas TPN and PCP are not. To characterize chemical toxicity, genes expression was classified according to the functional groups used by the MIPS database.

Dimethyl sulfoxide exposure facilitates phospholipid biosynthesis and cellular membrane proliferation in yeast cells.

Me2SO is a polar solvent that is widely used in biochemistry, pharmacology, and industry. Although there are several reports in the literature concerning the biological effects of Me2SO, the total cellular response remains unclear. In this paper, DNA microarray technology combined with the hierarchical clustering bioinformatics tool was used to assess the effects of Me2SO on yeast cells.

Effects of the pesticide thiuram: genome-wide screening of indicator genes by yeast DNA microarray.

Although there have been studies on the toxicity of the pesticide thiuram, the present study is the first one to attempt to integrate a whole genomic response using microarray technology. From the DNA microarray experiment it was found that exposure to thiuram led to alterations of gene expression in yeast cells and that many genes involved in detoxification and stress response were highly induced. The induced genes were classified according to the MIPS yeast database.

Studies on the antimicrobial mechanisms of capsaicin using yeast DNA microarray.

Capsaicin is a pungent element in a variety of red peppers that are widely used as food additives and considered to be an antimicrobial factor. For our tests, we used yeast DNA micro-array methods to understand the mechanisms of inhibitory effects of capsaicin. The capsaicin treatment significantly induced 39 genes from approximately 6,000 genes.