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Previously, we observed that purified monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), a major glycoglycerolipid from spinach, selectively inhibits the activities of mammalian replicative DNA polymerases (α, δ and ε). However, the function of MGDG following ingestion is not well-known. In the present study, spinach MGDG suppressed the proliferation of Colon26 mouse colon cancer cells with an LD(50) of 24 μg/ml in vitro. γ-cyclodextrin (CD)-MGDG complex was prepared and administered orally following Colon26 mouse tumor adhesion for 26 days. It was observed that 20 mg/kg equivalent (eq.) of the CD-MGDG complex reduced tumor volume by ∼60% compared with that of the vehicle-treated controls. In immunohistochemical analysis, the CD-MGDG complex group showed a decreased number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells and reduction of mitosis in the tumor cells compared with the control group. In addition, the CD-MGDG complex increased the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive apoptotic cells and inhibited CD31-positive tumor blood vessel growth significantly. These results suggest that MGDG has the potential for cancer prevention and health promotion.

The glycoglycerolipid monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG) isolated from spinach selectively inhibits the activities of replicative DNA polymerase species and suppresses the growth of human cancer cell lines, while not affecting normal human cells. Liposomes, carrying surface-bound sialyl Lewis X (SLX) and containing MGDG (SLX-Lipo-MGDG) and the fluorescent dye Cy5.5, were administered intravenously to mice bearing HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma tumors and liposome distribution observed using fluorescence imaging equipment in vivo. In an in vivo antitumor assay on nude mice bearing HT-29 solid tumors, SLX-Lipo-MGDG was shown to be a stronger and more promising suppressor of solid tumors than MGDG alone. These results suggest that spinach MGDG could be developed into an anticancer compound, SLX-Lipo-MGDG could serve as an effective clinical anticancer drug and that these liposomes may be useful tools as the basis for active targeting drug delivery systems.

Oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is one of the critical steps for the development of atherosclerosis and leucocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase, highly expressed in macrophages, has been suggested to play an essential role in this process. In the present study, we show that guava leaf extracts inhibited, not only the leucocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase activity, but also LDL oxidation, mediated by the enzyme-overexpressing macrophage-like J774A.1 cells. Oral administration of guava leaf extracts to apoE-knockout mice at 100 mg of dry extracts/kg of body weight, once a day for 16 weeks, significantly reduced the area of atherogenic lesions developed in the aorta and aortic sinus. The major components inhibiting leucocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase contained in guava leaf extracts were identified as ethyl gallate and quercetin. The inhibitory effects of guava leaf extracts on the leucocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase activity, as well as on cell-mediated LDL oxidation, might be involved in the antiatherogenic effect of the extracts.

Glycoglycerolipids are mostly found in plants, however the beneficial effects of the glycoglycerolipids on mammalian body have not been understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of glycolipid extracts from spinach, which highly contained glycoglycerolipids, on mucosal injury induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in rats. Preadministration of glycolipid extracts from spinach (20 mg/kg body weight) prevented villous atrophy, misaligned crypts, and increased inflammatory cytokines in rat jejunum treated with 5-FU (300 mg/kg body weight) compared with the extracts from soybean. The glycolipid extracts from spinach highly contained monogalactosyl-diacylglycerol (MGDG) and diglactosyl-diacylglycerol (DGDG). In Caco-2 cells, MGDG and DGDG inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species induced by phorbol ester. We concluded that glycolipid extracts from spinach has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, and the extract may be useful for prevention of drug-induced mucosal injury and other inflammatory diseases. Tokushima

Background Conjugated eicosapentaenoic acid (cEPA) containing conjugated double bonds, which is prepared by alkaline treatment of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), selectively inhibited the activities of both mammalian DNA polymerases (pols) and human DNA topoisomerases (topos). Methods Human colon carcinoma cell line, HCT116, was cultured and performed drug and small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment, flow cytometry analysis, BrdU incorporation analysis, and western blot analysis. Results The levels of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation labeling during DNA synthesis were decreased in time- and dose-dependent manners in HCT116 cells, treated with cEPA. The level of chromatin association of RPA70, a subunit of the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding protein, was increased following cEPA exposure, suggesting that the replication forks were stalled in response to inhibition of replicative pol activity by cEPA in the cells. cEPA also induced the activation of ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) protein in HCT116 cells, and activated the G1 checkpoint pathway in the cells, which was down-regulated by a small interfering RNA (siRNA) against ATR protein. Moreover, caffeine, a known ATR kinase inhibitor, abrogated the cEPA-induced G1 checkpoint in HCT116 cells. General significance cEPA could inhibit the activity of replicative pols, such as pols α, δ and ɛ, affect the DNA replication fork including ssDNA, and then activate the G1 checkpoint pathway by the induction of RPA and ATR expression levels in cancer cells.

The glycoglycerolipid fraction from spinach was purified, and this fraction was used to clarify bioactive functions, such as inhibition of DNA polymerase activity and cancer cell growth. The effects of the spinach glycoglycerolipid fraction on preventive and curative antitumor activities, and acute toxicity were investigated. After oral administration of 20 mg/kg of the glycoglycerolipid fraction for 2 weeks as preliminary medication, colon tumor growth was delayed, and the protein expression level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was decreased in tumor tissue. Five days after tumor cell implantation, oral administration of, not only 70 mg/kg of the glycoglycerolipid fraction, but also the γ-cyclodextrin (CD) glycoglycerolipid fraction complex, for 4 weeks, suppressed sarcoma formation with no adverse reactions in mice. In the acute toxicity test, 2000 mg/kg of orally administered glycoglycerolipid fraction did not show evident toxicity. Hence, these results suggest that the spinach glycoglycerolipid fraction is a safe and effective anticancer bioactive agent and/or food material.

Antithrombotic activities of odorless garlic powder were demonstrated in blood fibrinolytic and coagulation systems. Though the odorless garlic preparation did not influence tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) or its inhibitor secretions from human umbilical vein endothelial cells, it enhanced plasmin generation by t-PA on fibrin film and in chromogenic assays by 1.8-fold and 8.7-fold respectively. The coagulation system was considerably reduced after the administration of the garlic in a rat in situ loop model, indicating that increased levels of thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) complex in the control group were significantly reduced to normal (sham) in the garlic group (p

We isolated the glycolipids fraction from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and found that the fraction inhibited the activities of prokaryotic DNA polymerase I from Escherichia coli (E. coli) and cell growth of E. coli. The fraction contained mainly three glycolipids, monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG) and sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG), and purified SQDG inhibited these activities, however, purified MGDG and DGDG had no influence. In the tested strains of E. coli, SQDG inhibited the cell proliferation of the JM109 strain. It could be considered that a SQDG-containing thylakoid membrane in plant chloroplasts might have anti-bacterial activity.

抗がん機能性食品素材の開発を目指して, 天然材料からDNA合成酵素 (DNAポリメラーゼ) 阻害物質を探索したところ, 乾燥グァバ葉の50%エタノール抽出物「グァバ葉(1)」に強い活性を見出した。また, 疎水クロマトグラフィーで粗精製した「グァバ葉(2)」には, より強い活性があった。一方で, 抗がん作用が知られているアガリクス粗精製物についてもDNAポリメラーゼ阻害活性があることを見出したので, グァバ葉とアガリクスを混合して併用効果を調査した。その結果, 複製型であるDNAポリメラーゼαに対しては, 阻害の相乗効果がみられたが, 修復型であるDNAポリメラーゼλについては, 阻害が減弱した。

卵黄タンパク質を酵素分解しACEを阻害する加水分解物を得た。卵黄タンパク質の分解は4種類のプロテアーゼ (ビオプラーゼSP-15FG, デナプシン, デナチームAP, パパイン) を用いて検討した。得られた加水分解物について in vitro 系でACE阻害活性を測定した。ビオプラーゼSP-15FGにより得られた加水分解物は4種類の中で最も強いACE阻害活性 (IC50=33.2μg/mL) であるとともに, 経口投与(1,000mg/kg) で自然発症高血圧ラット (SHR) の血圧を有意に降下させた。ACE活性を阻害する活性成分の一つを逆相HPLCを用いて精製し, IC50値が2.4μM (0.71μg/mL) である Ile-Tyr を同定した。

The effect of dietary intake of specific types of fatty acids on retinal degeneration due to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis was evaluated. Fifty-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg kg(-1) body weight of MNU, and were then switched to one of five different diets containing the following fatty acids at the following weight percentages: 10% linoleic acid (LA); 9.5% palmitic acid (PA) and 0.5% LA; 9.5% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 0.5% LA; 4.75% EPA, 4.75% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 0.5% LA; or 9.5% DHA and 0.5% LA. When rats developed MNU-induced mammary tumors with a diameter of > or =1 cm, or at the termination of the experiment (20 weeks after MNU injection), retinal tissue samples were obtained and examined. Incidence and severity of retinal damage were compared by histologic examination. MNU-induced retinal degeneration was prevented in rats fed the diet containing 9.5% DHA (4.75% DHA was less effective), whereas it was accelerated in rats fed the 10% LA diet. Over the course of the 20-week experimental period, the fatty acid composition of serum reflected differences in dietary fatty acids. The present results indicate that a diet containing 9.5% DHA can counteract MNU retinotoxicity in the rat retina. DHA may play a role in protection against MNU-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis in the rat retina.

We compared the effects of identical amounts but different proportions of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary cancer in a rat model. The ability of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to suppress mammary cancer was evaluated. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups and maintained on diets containing 10% fatty acid consisting of EPA, a 1:1 mixture of EPA-plus-DHA, or DHA. The experimental diet was started after administration of MNU at 49 days of age, and the rats were maintained on the respective diets until the largest mammary tumor reached1 cm in diameter or until the end of the study period (20 wk after MNU). All histologically detected mammary carcinomas were evaluated, irrespective of size. The DHA diet was associated with significant suppression of the carcinogenic effect of MNU compared with the EPA and EPA-plus-DHA diets: tumor incidence decreased to 23% (3/13) compared with 73% (11/15) and 65% (12/17) (P0.01 and P0.05, respectively); tumor multiplicity decreased to 0.23 compared with 1.67 and 1.59 (P0.01 and P0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference in tumor latency among the DHA, EPA, and EPA-plus-DHA groups (119, 105, and 117 days, respectively). Over 20 wk, the fatty acid composition of serum and mammary fat tissue reflected differences in the dietary n-3 PUFAs. Although DHA suppressed MNU-induced mammary carcinogenesis more effectively than EPA, generalized steatosis including mammary fat tissue appeared in all three groups.

SUMMARY: A lipoxygenase was found in the crude enzyme solution from the gills of carp, Cyprinus carpio. It oxidized arachidonic acid (AA) more efficiently than linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Lipoxygenase activity was constantly detected in the gill microsomes and was found to be optimum at pH 7.2. It was not stimulated by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and was not inhibited by SKF525A, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor. The oxygenated products extracted from the reaction mixtures of crude enzyme solution and AA were purified by reverse-phase and straight-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The major metabolite was identified as 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE) by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and chiral phase HPLC. In addition, 12-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (12-HEPE) and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODD) were also found in the reaction products as minor components. Similar results were obtained by the analysis of the reaction products of AA and carp gill microsomes. These results confirm the presence of 12-lipoxygenase in carp gill microsomes.

Arachidonic acid and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) are reported to induce reinitiation of meiosis in oocytes of the surf clam Spisula sachalinensis from the Sea of Japan (Varaksin et al., Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 101C, 627-630 (1992). As the Atlantic surf clam Spisula solidissima is a commonly used model for the study of meiosis reinitiation, we examined these cells for the possible occurrence of lipoxygenases and for the bioactivity of the products. Incubation of [14C]arachidonic acid with homogenates of S. solidissima oocytes led to the formation of two major metabolites: 5R-HETE, a novel lipoxygenase product, and 8R-HETE. The products were identified by HPLC, uv spectroscopy, and GC-MS. The corresponding hydroperoxy fatty acids, the primary lipoxygenase products, were isolated from incubations of ammonium sulfate fractionated oocyte cytosol. Arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids were identified as constituents of S. solidissima oocyte lipids and the free acids were equally good lipoxygenase substrates. We examined the activity of C18 and C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids and their lipoxygenase products on meiosis reinitiation in Spisula solidissima oocytes, using serotonin and ionophore A23187 as positive controls. The fatty acids and their derivatives were inactive. We conclude that in the surf clam, (as in starfish), there are responding and non-responding species in regard to the maturation-inducing activity of the oocyte lipoxygenase products, and that the lipoxygenase has another, as yet uncharacterized, function in oocyte physiology.

5,6,7- and 5,7,8-Trioxygenated 3',4'-dihydroxyflavones were derivatized by introducing alkyl groups of various chain lengths at the 3-position of the flavone skeleton. These compounds were tested as inhibitors for arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase purified from porcine leukocytes. Modification of the 3-position with an alkyl group of 6-10 carbons markedly decreased the IC50 values. 3-Hexyl-3',4'-dihydroxy-5,7, 8-trimethoxyflavone inhibited 5-lipoxygenase with an IC50 value of 58 nM. The platelet and leukocyte 12-lipoxygenases, 15-lipoxygenase of reticulocytes, and cyclooxygenase of vesicular gland were inhibited less potently (IC50 = 0.4, 0.4, 2.7, and 30 microM). Thus, the compound was a relatively selective inhibitor for 5-lipoxygenase.

We previously found that conjugated eicosapentaenoic acid (cEPA) selectively inhibited the activities of mammalian DNA polymerases (pols), and suppressed human cancer cell growth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of concurrent radiation with cEPA in a human colon carcinoma cell line, HCT 116. Furthermore, we examined the most effective timing of irradiation. The post-irradiation addition of cEPA significantly enhanced HCT116 cell radiosensitivity by decreasing the expression of pols beta, delta and epsilon, increasing damaged DNA, such as DNA double-strand breaks, inhibiting clonogenic survival, and inducing apoptosis. However, cells treated by pre-irradiation addition of cEPA did not influence radiosensitive survival and radiation-induced apoptosis. cEPA inhibited the activities of pols needed for DNA repair, thereby DNA damage must be augmented by cEPA and irradiation. These results suggested that the combination of inhibitors of DNA repair-related pols/radiation could be an effective anticancer therapy.

Arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase introduces a molecular oxygen into the C-12 position of arachidonic acid to produce 12(S)-hydroperoxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid. With the aid of cDNA probes for the enzyme, we isolated overlapping lambda clones encompassing the human 12-lipoxygenase gene and flanking regions from a human genomic library. The gene consists of 14 exons with 13 introns and spans approximately 15 kilobases of DNA. All the exon-intron junctions conform to the GT/AG rule. Neither a typical TATA box nor a CAAT box was found in approximately 1-kb sequence of 5'-upstream region of the translation initiation site. However, this region contains several regulatory elements including four GC boxes, two CACCC boxes, three AP-2 binding sequences, and a glucocorticoid-responsive element. The major transcription initiation site was determined by primer-extension analysis as an adenosine residue at 306 bases upstream from the translation initiation codon. The chromosomal localization of the human 12-lipoxygenase gene was examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and the gene was assigned to the sub-band p13.1 of chromosome 17.

The cytosol fraction from a thoroughly irrigated canine cerebrum was subjected to immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody against porcine leukocyte 12-lipoxygenase. Arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase eluted from the column with some retardation. The enzyme, with a specific activity of 9 nmol/min/mg of protein, converted arachidonic acid to 12(S)-hydroperoxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid. The enzyme was active not only with arachidonic acid, but also with linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids. In contrast, 12-lipoxygenase of canine platelets was almost inactive with linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids, and the platelet enzyme was also distinguished from the cerebral enzyme in terms of reactivity with the anti-12-lipoxygenase antibody. 12-Lipoxygenase activity was also detected in the cytosol fractions of other parts of canine brain: basal ganglia, hippocampus, cerebellum, olfactory bulb, and medulla oblongata.

The glycoglycerolipid, monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), containing two alpha-linolenic acids (C18:3), was isolated from bitter melon as a potent and selective inhibitor of mammalian DNA polymerase (pol) species such as pols alpha, gamma, delta, and epsilon with IC(50) values of 17.6-37.2muM. This MGDG also suppressed the growth of six human cancer cell lines, although normal human cell lines were not affected. This compound (i.e., MGDG-C18:3-C18:3) was a stronger inhibitor than both MGDG-C18:1-C18:0 and MGDG-C18:0-C18:0. In this study, we discussed the structure-function relationship in the selective inhibition of mammalian replicative pols and human cancer cell proliferation by MGDGs.

Prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase (PGHS) is a key enzyme for the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) which play important roles in inflammation and carcinogenesis. Because the extract from Psidium guajava is known to have a variety of beneficial effects on our body including the anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antiproliferative activities, we investigated whether the extract inhibited the catalytic activity of the two PGHS isoforms using linoleic acid as an alternative substrate. The guava leaf extract inhibited the cyclooxygenase reaction of recombinant human PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 as assessed by conversion of linoleic acid to 9- and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs). The guava leaf extract also inhibited the PG hydroperoxidase activity of PGHS-1, which was not affected by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Quercetin which was one of the major components not only inhibited the cyclooxygenase activity of both isoforms but also partially inhibited the PG hydroperoxidase activity. Overexpression of human PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 in the human colon carcinoma cells increased the DNA synthesis rate as compared with mock-transfected cells which did not express any isoforms. The guava leaf extract not only inhibited the PGE(2) synthesis but also suppressed the DNA synthesis rate in the PGHS-1- and PGHS-2-expressing cells to the same level as mock-transfected cells. These results demonstrate the antiproliferative activity of the guava leaf extract which is at least in part caused by inhibition of the catalytic activity of PGHS isoforms.

We succeeded in purifying a major glycolipid fraction from a green vegetable, spinach. This fraction consists mainly of three glycolipids: monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG), and sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG). In a previous study, we found that the glycolipid fraction inhibited DNA polymerase activity, cancer cell growth and tumor growth with subcutaneous injection. We aimed to clarify oral administration of the glycolipid fraction, suppressing colon adenocarcinoma (colon-26) tumor growth in mice. A tumor graft study showed that oral administration of 20 mg/kg glycolipid fraction for 2 weeks induced a 56.1% decrease in the solid tumor volume (P < 0.05) without any side-effects, such as loss of body weight or major organ failure, in mice. The glycolipid fraction induced the suppression of colon-26 tumor growth with inhibition of angiogenesis and the expression of cell proliferation marker proteins such as Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and Cyclin E in the tumor tissue. These results suggest that the orally administered glycolipid fraction from spinach could suppress colon tumor growth in mice by inhibiting the activities of neovascularization and cancer cellular proliferation in tumor tissue.

A human replication initiation protein, Cdt1, is a central player in the cell cycle regulation of DNA replication, and geminin down-regulates Cdt1 function by direct binding. It has been demonstrated that Cdt1 hyperfunction resulting from Cdt1-geminin imbalance, for example, by geminin silencing with small interfering RNA, induces DNA re-replication and eventual cell death in some cancer-derived cell lines. We established a high throughput screening system based on a modified enzyme linked immunosorbent assay to identify compounds that interfere with human Cdt1-geminin binding. Using this system, we screened inhibitors from natural materials containing food components, and found that a glycolipid, sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG), from spinach can inhibit Cdt1-geminin interaction in vitro, with 50% inhibition observed at concentrations of 1.79mug/ml. Other major glycolipids, such as monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG) from spinach, had no influence. Surface plasmon resonance analysis demonstrated that SQDG bound selectively to Cdt1, but did not interact with geminin. Using three-dimensional computer modeling analysis, SQDG was considered to interact with the geminin interaction interface on Cdt1, and the sulfate group of SQDG was assumed to make hydrogen bonds with the residue of Arg346 of Cdt1. These data could help to further understanding of the structure and function of Cdt1. In addition, SQDG could be a clue to developing more appropriate inhibitors of Cdt1-geminin interactions.

Diallyl sulfides, organosulfur compounds isolated from garlic (Allium sativum L.), selectively inhibit the activities of mammalian family X DNA polymerases (pols), such as pol β, pol λ and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), in vitro. The purified fraction (i.e., Sample-A) consisted of diallyl trisulfide, diallyl tetrasulfide and diallyl pentasulfide (molecular ratio: 5.3:3:1). Commercially purchased diallyl sulfides also inhibited the activities of family X pols, and the order of their effect was as follows: Sample-A>diallyl trisulfide>diallyl disulfide>diallyl monosulfide, suggesting that the number of sulfur atoms in the compounds might play an important structural role in enzyme inhibition. The suppression of human cancer cell (promyelocytic leukaemia cell line, HL-60) growth had the same tendency as the inhibition of pol X family among the compounds. Diallyl sulfides were suggested to bind to the pol β-like region of family X pols.

We succeeded in purifying the fraction of monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG), and sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG) containing the major glycolipids from a green vegetable, spinach (Spinacia oleraceaL.). This glycolipids fraction inhibited the activities of replicative DNA polymerases (pols) such as alpha, delta, and epsilon, and mitochondrial pol gamma with IC50 values of 44.0-46.2 microg/ml, but had no influence on the activity of repair-related pol beta. The fraction also inhibited the proliferation of human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cells with LD50 values of 57.2 microg/ml. In an in vivo anti-tumor assay on nude mice bearing solid tumors of HeLa cells, the fraction was shown to be a promising suppressor of solid tumors. Histopathological examination revealed that tumor necrosis with hemorrhage was significantly enhanced with the glycolipids fraction in vivo. The spinach glycolipids fraction might be a potent anti-tumor compound, and this fraction may be a healthy food substance with anti-tumor activity.

We succeeded in purifying a major glycolipids fraction (i.e., Fraction-II) in the class of monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG) and sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG) from spinach using hydrophobic column chromatography. Fraction-II inhibited the activities of replicative DNA polymerases (pols) such as alpha, delta and epsilon, and mitochondrial pol gamma with IC(50) values of 43-79 microg/ml, but had no influence on the activity of repair-related pols beta and lambda. MGDG, DGDG, SQDG were purified from Fraction-II of spinach using silica gel column chromatography, and SQDG was the strongest inhibitor of mammalian pols in the three glycolipids. Therefore, SQDG and its related compounds were chemically synthesized, and the sulfate group and fatty acid moiety of the compound were suggested to be important for pol inhibition. These glycolipids showed no effect even on the activities of plant pols, prokaryotic pols and other DNA metabolic enzymes such as T4 polynucleotide kinase, T7 RNA polymerase and deoxyribonuclease I. Fraction-II also inhibited the proliferation of human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cells with LD(50) values of 57 microg/ml, and could halt the cell cycle at the G1-phase, and subsequently induced severe apoptosis. In an in vivo anti-tumor assay on nude mice bearing solid tumors of HeLa cells, Fraction-II was shown to be a promising suppressor of solid tumors. Histopathological examination revealed that tumor necrosis with hemorrhage was significantly enhanced with Fraction-II in vivo. The spinach Fraction-II containing SQDG might be a potent anti-tumor compound, and may be a healthy food substance with anti-tumor activity.

We reported previously that unsaturated linear-chain fatty acids of the cis-configuration with a C18-hydrocarbon chain such as linoleic acid (cis-9, 12-octadecadienoic acid, C18:2) could potently inhibit the activity of mammalian DNA polymerases (Biochim Biophys Acta 1308: 256-262, 1996). In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of cis-type C22-fatty acids including cis-7,10,13,16,19-docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, C22:5) and cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6) on mammalian DNA polymerases and human DNA topoisomerases. Cis-13,16-docosadienoic acid (C22:2) was the strongest inhibitor of both DNA polymerases and topoisomerases of all C22-fatty acids tested. The inhibitory tendency by the fatty acids on DNA polymerases was the same as that of DNA topoisomerases, and the second strongest inhibitor was cis-13,16,19-docosatrienoic acid (C22:3). The energy-minimized three-dimensional structures of the fatty acids were calculated and it was found that a length of 19-21 Angstrom and width of more than 7 Angstrom in C22-fatty acid structure were important for enzyme inhibition. The three-dimensional structure of the active site of both DNA polymerases and topoisomerases must have a pocket to join C22:2, and this pocket was 19.41 Angstrom long and 9.58 Angstrom wide.

We investigated the effective extraction of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) from dried spinach (Spinacia oleracea) using supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) with a modifier/entrainer. The yield of MGDG in the SC-CO(2) extract was not influenced by increasing temperature at a constant pressure, although the total extract yield was decreased. The total extract yield and MGDG yield in the extract from commercially purchased spinach (unknown subspecies), were greatly influenced by lower pressure. In a modifier (i.e., ethanol) concentration range of 2.5-20%, both the extract and MGDG yield increased as the ethanol concentration rose. The highest total extract yield (69.5 mg/g of spinach) and a good MGDG yield (16.3 mg/g of spinach) were obtained at 80 degrees C, 25 MPa, and 20% ethanol. The highest MGDG concentration (76.0% in the extract) was obtained at 80 degrees C, 25 MPa, and 2.5% ethanol, although the total extract yield under these conditions was low (5.2 mg/g of spinach). The optimal conditions for the extraction of MGDG were 80 degrees C, 20 MPa, and 10% ethanol. Of the 11 subspecies of spinach tested under these conditions, "Ujyou" had the highest concentration of MGDG. The total extract yield and MGDG concentration of Ujyou were 20.4 mg of the extract/g of spinach and 70.5%, respectively. The concentration of MGDG was higher in the SC-CO(2) extract than in the extract obtained using solvents such as methanol and n-hexane. The extract of Ujyou, which was the optimal subspecies for the extraction of MGDG, inhibited the activity of calf DNA polymerase alpha with IC(50) values of 145 microg/mL but was not effective against DNA polymerase beta.

Anti-cancer activity of some glycolipids from animals and plants has been demonstrated, although it was unknown whether the glycolipids had anti-angiogenic activity. The effects of the purified three glycolipids, monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG), and sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG) from the green vegetable spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) were examined on in vitro and ex vivo angiogenesis models. MGDG and SQDG suppressed microvessel growth in an ex vivo angiogenesis model using a rat aortic ring. The glycolipids inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HVUEC) tube formation on a reconstituted basement membrane and HUVEC proliferation. These results demonstrate that glycolipids from spinach would suppress tumor growth by suppressing angiogenesis and might be candidates for anti-cancer or anti-angiogenic materials.

Conjugated eicosapentaenoic acid (cEPA) selectively inhibited the activities of mammalian DNA polymerases (pols) and human DNA topoisomerases (topos) [Yonezawa Y, Tsuzuki T, Eitsuka T, Miyazawa T, Hada T, Uryu K, et al. Inhibitory effect of conjugated eicosapentaenoic acid on human DNA topoisomerases I and II. Arch Biochem Biophys 2005;435:197–206]. In this report, we investigated the inhibitory effect of cEPA on a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line, HL-60, to determine which enzymes influence cell proliferation. cEPA inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells (LD 50 = 20.0 μM), and the inhibitory effect was stronger than that of non-conjugated EPA. cEPA arrested the cells at G1/S-phase, increased cyclin A and E protein levels, and prevented the incorporation of thymidine into the cells, indicating that it blocks the primary step of in vivo DNA replication by inhibiting the activity of replicative pols rather than topos. This compound also induced apoptosis of the cells. These results suggested the therapeutic potential of cEPA as a leading anti-cancer compound that poisons pols.

We succeeded in purifying the fraction containing the major glycolipids in monogalactosyl diacylglycerol, digalactosyl diacylglycerol and sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG) from dried vegetables. This glycolipids fraction was an inhibitor of DNA polymerase alpha (pol alpha) in vitro and also the proliferation of human cancer cells. In this study, eight common vegetables were investigated in terms of the glycolipids fraction, the amounts of major glycolipids, mammalian DNA polymerase inhibitory activity and antiproliferative activity toward human cancer cells. Green tea possessed the largest amount of glycolipids overall. Spinach contained the largest amount of SQDG, followed by parsley, green onion, chive, sweet pepper, green tea, carrot and garlic. Spinach had the strongest inhibitory effect on pol alpha activity and human cancer cell proliferation. A significant correlation was found between SQDG content and inhibition of DNA polymerase. Therefore, the inhibition of pol alpha activity by SQDG may lead to cell growth suppression. Of the six subspecies of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) tested, "Anna" had the largest amount of SQDG, strongest inhibitory activity toward DNA polymerase and greatest effect on human cancer cell proliferation. Based on these results, the glycolipids fraction from spinach is potentially a source of food material for a novel anticancer activity.

The effect of conjugated docosahexaenoic acid (CDHA) on the inhibition of colon cancer cell growth was examined in the colo 201 human colon cancer cell line, and the effect was compared with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). CDHA was a more potent tumor cell growth inhibitor than DHA and EPA by colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay (IC50 for 72 h: 31.6 microM, 46.8 microM, and 56.6 microM, respectively). CDHA inhibited cell cycle progression, due to accumulation of cells in G1 phase, which involved increased p21Cip1/Waf1 and decreased cyclin D1, cyclin E, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression; the p53 and cyclin A levels were unchanged. Induction of apoptosis was confirmed by the appearance of sub-G1 populations, and apoptosis cascade involved upregulation of the apoptosis-enhancing proteins (Bak and Bcl-xS) and downregulation of the apoptosis-suppressing proteins (Bcl-xL and Bcl-2). CDHA modulated cell cycle regulatory proteins and apoptosis-related proteins, similar to the effects of DHA. CDHA at a dietary dose of 1.0% significantly inhibited growth of colo 201 cells transplanted in nude mice.

DNA topoisomerases (topos) and DNA polymerases (pols) are involved in many aspects of DNA metabolism such as replication reactions. We reported previously that long chain unsaturated fatty acids such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (i.e., eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA)) inhibited the activities of eukaryotic pols in vitro. In the present study, we found that PUFA also inhibited human topos I and II activities, and the inhibitory effect of conjugated fatty acids converted from EPA and DHA (cEPA and cDHA) on pols and topos was stronger than that of normal EPA and DHA. cEPA and cDHA inhibited the activities of mammalian pols and human topos, but did not affect the activities of plant and prokaryotic pols or other DNA metabolic enzymes tested. cEPA was a stronger inhibitor than cDHA with IC(50) values for mammalian pols and human topos of 11.0-31.8 and 0.5-2.5 microM, respectively. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of cEPA on topos was stronger than that on pols. Preincubation analysis suggested that cEPA directly bound both topos I and II, but did not bind or interact with substrate DNA. This is the first report that conjugated PUFA such as cEPA act as inhibitors of pols and topos. The results support the therapeutic potential of cEPA as a leading anti-cancer compound that poisons pols and topos.

We succeeded in purifying the major glycolipid fraction in the class of sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol, monogalactosyl diacylglycerol and digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG) from a green vegetable, spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). This glycolipid fraction was an inhibitor of DNA polymerases and a growth inhibitor of NUGC-3 human gastric cancer cells, and, interestingly, the activities were much stronger when the fraction was hydrolyzed by lipase. Glycolipids in the hydrolyzed fraction consisted of sulfoquinovosyl monoacylglycerol (SQMG), monogalactosyl monoacylglycerol (MGMG) and DGDG. In the in vivo antitumor assay using Greene's melanoma, the fraction containing SQMG, MGMG and DGDG showed to be a promising suppressor of solid tumors. Spinach glycolipid fraction might be a potent antitumor compound if directly injected into a tumor-carrying body, and this fraction may be a healthy food material that has antitumor activity.

We evaluated the effects of dietary intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on photoreceptor cell apoptosis caused by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). Five-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed basal diet (AIN-76A) or DHA diet (modified AIN-76A containing 9.5% DHA) for 2 weeks, and then received a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg body weight MNU at 50 days of age. Then, rats continued to receive the same diet or were switched to the opposite diet: group 1, basal diet before and after MNU injection; group 2, DHA diet before MNU injection and basal diet after MNU injection; group 3, basal diet before MNU injection and DHA diet after MNU injection; group 4, DHA diet before and after MNU injection (10 rats in each group). Rats were starved for 24 h, then sacrificed 3 or 7 days after MNU. Morphologically, at 3 days after MNU injection, photoreceptor cell apoptosis was advanced in group 1 compared with group 4. At this time point, as evaluated by retinal damage ratio [(length of retina less than 4 photoreceptor cells thick/whole retinal length) ×100], retinal damage was highest in group 1 (82.4 ± 5.1%), followed by group 2 (41.1 ± 7.3%), group 3 (24.7 ± 11.5%), and group 4 (6.6 ± 6.6%); severity tended to be inversely correlated with serum DHA composition. At 7 days after MNU injection, active signs of photoreceptor cell apoptosis ended in all MNU-treated groups, and retinal damage ratio was high in group 1 (88.4 ± 2.8%), whereas it remained low in groups 2, 3 and 4 (38.4 ± 15.2, 45.7 ± 9.8 and 46.9 ± 11.2%, respectively). High DHA composition during induction/signaling phase and/or effector phase of photoreceptor cell apoptosis can delay the onset of apoptosis and counteract progression of MNU retinotoxicity in rat retina. DHA may play a role in the suppression of MNU-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis in rat retina.

We purified the major glycolipids in the class of monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG) and sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG) from a green vegetable, spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). MGDG was an inhibitor of the growth of NUGC-3 human gastric cancer cells, but DGDG and SQDG had no such cytotoxic effect. Therefore, we studied MGDG and its monoacyglycerol-form, monogalactosyl monoacylglycerol (MGMG), in detail. MGMG with one fatty acid molecule was obtained from MGDG with two fatty acid molecules by hydrolyzing with a pancreatic lipase. MGMG was also found to prevent the cancer cell growth. MGDG was a potent inhibitor of replicative DNA polymerases such as alpha, delta and epsilon. MGMG inhibited the activities of all mammalian DNA polymerases including repair-related DNA polymerase beta with IC(50) values of 8.5-36 microg/mL, and the inhibition by MGMG was stronger than that by MGDG. Both MGDG and MGMG could halt the cell cycle at the G1 phase, and subsequently induced severe apoptosis. The relationship between the DNA polymerase inhibition and the cell growth effect by these glycolipids is discussed.

Since arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase was earlier found in platelets as the first mammalian lipoxygenase, the enzyme has been found in a variety of tissues of a number of animal species. On the basis of our studies in the last decade, we have demonstrated that there are two isoforms of 12-lipoxygenase (1).

When a crude extract of rat pineal glands (the 1000 × g supernatant of a homogenate) was incubated with arachidonic acid, 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid was found as a major product. The 12-lipoxygenase of rat pineal gland also reacted with linoleic and α-linolenic acids at 35% and 101% the rate of arachidonate 12-oxygenation, respectively. Upon Western blot analysis using polyclonal antibody against porcine leukocyte 12-lipoxygenase, the cytosol fraction of rat pineal gland showed a positive band with a molecular weight of approx. 74 kDa. A full-length cDNA for this enzyme was cloned from a cDNA library of rat pineal gland and the identity of the 12-lipoxygenase cDNA was confirmed by its expression in E. coli . The amino acid sequence of the enzyme was deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA, encoding 663 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 75 305. The enzyme showed 72% identity of amino acid sequence with porcine leukocyte 12-lipoxygenase and 73% with bovine tracheal 12-lipoxygenase, but only 59% with human platelet 12-lipoxygenase. Taken together, the high reactivity with C-18 fatty acids, the immunoreactivity and the amino acid homology data indicate that the rat pineal 12-lipoxygenase is more closely related to leukocyte 12-lipoxygenase than to platelet 12-lipoxygenase. Upon RNA blot analysis, by far the highest content of 12-lipoxygenase mRNA was observed in the pineal gland and negligible amounts of mRNA were detected in other parts of the brain. The predominant presence of 12-lipoxygenase mRNA in pineal gland was confirmed by in situ hybridization of rat brain. Significant amounts of 12-lipoxygenase mRNA were also detected in rat spleen, aorta, lung and leukocytes.

In contrast to 5-lipoxygenase which is involved in the biosynthesis of bioactive leukotrienes, a general physiological role of 12-lipoxygenase has not yet been established. Although the enzyme was earlier found in platelets as the first mammalian lipoxygenase and has been found in various tissues of many animal species, most investigators have ignored the 12-lipoxygenase until very recently.

5,6,7- and 5,7,8-Trioxygenated 3',4'-dihydroxyflavones were derivatized by introducing alkyl groups of various chain lengths at the 3-position of the flavone skeleton. These compounds were tested as inhibitors for arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase purified from porcine leukocytes. Modification of the 3-position with an alkyl group of 6-10 carbons markedly decreased the IC50 values. 3-Hexyl-3',4'-dihydroxy-5,7, 8-trimethoxyflavone inhibited 5-lipoxygenase with an IC50 value of 58 nM. The platelet and leukocyte 12-lipoxygenases, 15-lipoxygenase of reticulocytes, and cyclooxygenase of vesicular gland were inhibited less potently (IC50 = 0.4, 0.4, 2.7, and 30 microM). Thus, the compound was a relatively selective inhibitor for 5-lipoxygenase.

Arachiidonate 12-lipoxygenase of porcine and bovine leukocytes were different in substrate specificity and immunogenicity from the enzyme of bovine platelets (Arch. Biochem. Biophys. (1988) 266, 613). In order to extend the comparative studies on the two types of 12-lipoxygenase, we purified the enzyme from the cytosol of human platelets by immunoaffinity chromatography to a specific activity of about 0.3 μmol/min per mg protein at 37°C. The purified enzyme was active with eicosapolyenoic acids and docosahexaenoic acid. Linoleic and linolenic acids were poor substrates in contrast to the high reactivity of the leukocyte enzymes with these octadecapolyenoic acids. The finding that the human platelets enzyme catalyzed 15-oxygenation of 5S-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid, raised a question if lipoxins were produced by incubation of the enzyme with leukotriene A4. Howeverm the leukogtriene A4 was scarcely transformed to lipoxin isomers by 12-lipoxygenases of human and bvvine platelets. In sharp contrast, the porcine and bovine leukocyte enzymes converted leukotriene A4 to various lipoxin isomers by the reaction rates of 3% and 2% of the arachidonate 12-oxygenation. Thus, 12-lipoxygenase of human and bovine platelets were catalytically distinct from the porcine and bovine leukocyte enzymes in terms of their reactivities not only with linoleic and linolenic acids, but also with leukotriene A4 as lipoxin precursor.

Each branch of the arachidonate cascade is initiated by a lipoxygenase reaction, by which a certain carbon atom of arachidonic acid is oxygenated. Several lipoxygenases have been found in mammalian tissues, and their physiological and pathological roles have been studied (1,2). Unlike cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase, which initiate the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, general physiological functions of other mammalian lipoxygenases remain still unclarified.

Aggregation behaviors of human platelets and carp Cyprinus carpio, rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri, and red seabream Pagrus major thrombocytes were studied by an electronic aggregometer and microscopic observation.Measurement was done by using electronic aggregometer. The irreversible aggregation responses were recognized in all rainbow trout and red seabream blood similar to human blood with the addition of sodium arachidonate (AA). However, the response of thrombocytes in carp blood was not induced by the addition of AA, but the reversible aggregation response was recognized in four out of twelve samples. The aggregation was not induced by the addition of sodium eicosapentaenoate (EPA) or docosahexaenoate (DHA) in fish blood like human blood. It is assumed that the differences in prostaglandin (PG) syntheses among them cause the different behaviors in the blood aggregation.Moreover, in the microscopic observation, human platelets and all fish thrombocytes aggregated in the presence of ionophore A23187, thrombin, and collagen, but did not aggregate in the presence of EPA, DHA, PGF2α, PGD2, or ADP. On the other hand, in the presence of AA, PGE2 and platelet activating factor (PAF), the aggregating responses varied among species tested.

Conjugated eicosapentaenoic acid (cEPA) selectively inhibited the activities of mammalian DNA polymerases (pols) and human DNA topoisomerases (topos). cEPA inhibited the cell growth of two human leukemia cell lines, NALM-6, which is a p53-wild type, and HL-60, which is a p53-null mutant, with LD50 values of 37.5 and 12.5 microM, respectively. In both cell lines, cEPA arrested in the G1 phase, and increased cyclin E protein levels, indicating that it blocks the primary step of in vivo DNA replication by inhibiting the activity of replicative pols rather than topos. DNA replication-related proteins such as RPA70, ATR and phosphorylated-Chk1/2 were increased by cEPA treatment in the cell lines, suggesting that cEPA led to DNA replication fork stress inhibiting the activities of pols and topos, and the ATR-dependent DNA damage response pathway could respond to the inhibitor of DNA replication. The compound induced cell apoptosis through both p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways in cell lines NALM-6 and HL-60, respectively. These results suggested the therapeutic potential of cEPA as a leading anti-cancer compound that inhibited activities of pols and topos.

Introduction The present study was conducted to examine the effect of conjugated docosahexaenoic acid (CDHA) on cell growth, cell cycle progression, mode of cell death, and expression of cell cycle regulatory and/or apoptosis-related proteins in KPL-1 human breast cancer cell line. This effect of CDHA was compared with that of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Methods KPL-1 cell growth was assessed by colorimetric 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay; cell cycle progression and mode of cell death were examined by flow cytometry; and levels of expression of p53, p21Cip1/Waf1, cyclin D1, Bax, and Bcl-2 proteins were examined by Western blotting analysis. In vivo tumor growth was examined by injecting KPL-1 cells subcutaneously into the area of the right thoracic mammary fat pad of female athymic mice fed a CDHA diet. Results CDHA inhibited KPL-1 cells more effectively than did DHA (50% inhibitory concentration for 72 hours: 97 μmol/l and 270 μmol/l, respectively). With both CDHA and DHA growth inhibition was due to apoptosis, as indicated by the appearance of a sub-G1 fraction. The apoptosis cascade involved downregulation of Bcl-2 protein; Bax expression was unchanged. Cell cycle progression was due to G0/G1 arrest, which involved increased expression of p53 and p21Cip1/Waf1, and decreased expression of cyclin D1. CDHA modulated cell cycle regulatory proteins and apoptosis-related proteins in a manner similar to that of parent DHA. In the athymic mouse system 1.0% dietary CDHA, but not 0.2%, significantly suppressed growth of KPL-1 tumor cells; CDHA tended to decrease regional lymph node metastasis in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion CDHA inhibited growth of KPL-1 human breast cancer cells in vitro more effectively than did DHA. The mechanisms of action involved modulation of apoptosis cascade and cell cycle progression. Dietary CDHA at 1.0% suppressed KPL-1 cell growth in the athymic mouse system.