The influence of soybean extract on the expression level of selected drug transporters, transcription factors and cytochrome P450 genes encoding phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes

Objective: Soybean phytoestrogens, such as genistein and daidzein, reduce climacteric symptoms and the risk of certain chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Despite their widespread use in functional foods and dietary supplements, there is very little data available on their safety and herb-drug interactions, especially with antineoplastic agents. Hence, the aim of our study was to assess the effects of soybean extracts on the expression level of CYP genes and their transcriptional factors. We also investigated the effect of soybean on the mRNA level of transporters, such as P-glycoprotein (MDR1) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP1, MRP2). Materials and methods: Wistar rats were fed a standardized soybean extract (100 mg/kg, p.o.). cDNA was synthesized from total RNA isolated from different tissues (liver and intestinal epithelium) using reverse transcription. Gene expression level was analyzed by RT-PCR method. Results: We demonstrated a significant increase of CYP1A1 mRNA level (by 89%, p=0.002 and 125%, p=0.004) as compared with the control group. An increase of AHR and CAR expression after 10 days was also observed (by 60%, p0.05, respectively). Additionally, an inductive effect for CYP2D1 by 22% (p=0.008), Mdr1a by 267% (

Effect of Epilobium angustifolium and Serenoa repens extracts on regulation of non-genomic signaling pathway of kinases

Objectives: Changes of kinase activity of non-genomic cellular signaling pathway may influence the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in case of hormone-dependent tumors. Our study investigated a possible interaction at the molecular level between an aqueous herbal extract of Epilobium angustifolium as well as a lipid-sterolic fruit extract of Serenoa repens and synthetic drugs used in the treatment of hormone-dependent cancers. Material and methods: E. angustifolium and Serenoa repens extracts were orally administered to testosteroneinduced rats for 21 days. Changes of RafA/Mapk3/Mapk1 mRNA levels were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR using target specific primers. Results: The level of RafA mRNA slightly increased in rats receiving Epilobium angustifolium (p=0.076) and Serenoa repens (p=0.016) extracts. Administration of these extracts resulted in significantly elevated Mapk1 and Mapk3 transcripts in the investigated animals (

Influence of standardized extract of Epilobium angustifolium on estrogen receptor α and β expression in in vivo model

Abstract Objective: Evaluation of the influence of the standardized extract from the herb of Epilobium angustifolium on ERα and ERβ mRNA expression in rat ventral prostate tissue and free serum estradiol level. Materials and methods: Rats were divided into 6 groups with 10 animals. ERα and ERβ mRNA expression in rat ventral prostate tissue level was performed using real-time PCR method in Light Cycler system. Serum-free estradiol was evaluated using immunoenzymatic technique. Results: In our experimental model there was an increase of ERα mRNA level by 9% and decrease by 36% of ERβ mRNA level in ventral prostate tissue in rats administrated with testosterone and E. angustifolium extract, in comparison with testosterone alone administrated animals. Conclusions: E. angustifolium standardized extract influenced the expression of estrogen receptor α and β mRNAs in differential manner which may suggest its potentially therapeutic properties or causing of adverse effects in pharmacotherapy of estrogen-related disorders. More complex studies should be undertaken to evaluate safety and to improve the efficacy of using this herbal extract

Thermal insulation with 2D materials: liquid phase exfoliated vermiculite functional nanosheets

Phyllosilicates are layered materials possessing unique thermal properties, commonly exploited in their multilayered crystalline form as refractory insulators and heating elements. A more versatile use of such materials, however, would require their existence in the form of inks and dispersions ready to be patterned. Within this framework, the liquid-phase exfoliation of low-cost, low-purity materials such as bulk multiphasic minerals and powders represents an economically advantageous approach for the production of 2D nano-sized objects with a defined composition, size and morphology. Here, ultrasound-assisted exfoliation and shear-mixing of a multi-phasic vermiculite in mild acidic aqueous solutions were employed to successfully obtain dispersions of mono- and few-layer thick clay nanosheets. The exfoliated materials were thoroughly investigated through granulometry, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), specific surface area measurements and AFM imaging. Despite the fact that the lateral size and the thickness distribution of exfoliated flakes obtained with the two approaches appear similar, the ultrasound-assisted exfoliation process yielded a larger amount of mono- and bi-layer thick flakes as well as materials with a higher specific surface area. XRD analysis revealed that the use of ultrasound waves in an acidic environment results in the complete exfoliation of the vermiculite layer, whereas the use of shear forces under the same conditions results in the exfoliation of hydrobiotite and mica crystalline phases. Thermal conductivity measurements provided clear evidence on how the structural changes – arising from the exfoliation process – have a direct impact on the properties of the exfoliated clay. Remarkably, compared to the raw material, the thermal conductivity of the exfoliated material decreases by 25%, reaching the ultra-low thermal conductivity regime (<0.1 W m−1 K−1). Our approach may enable in the future the generation of patterns of thermal insulators onto different surfaces by applying vermiculite nanosheets in the form of dispersions and printable inks

The influence of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α gene polymorphisms on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

Summary Proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), involved into osteoclastogenesis and responsible for bone resorption process, participate in the pathogenesis of the osteoporosis. In vitro studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-6 and TNF-α genes could influence the transcription process of the genes and the cytokines level. Aim: Assessment of the influence of IL-6 and TNF-α gene polymorphisms on bone mineral density (BMD) and evaluation of their connection with osteoporosis prevalence in women from Wielkopolska region. Material and methods: In the group of 267 postmenopausal women (average age 58,5+/-5,9 years, average age of last period 49,8+/-3,9 years) bone mineral density in lumbar spine (L2-L4) was performed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Genotypes frequencies were determined by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) using restriction enzymes Lwe I and Faq I, respectively. The connection between the polymorphisms of investigated genes and body mass index, age of menarche and menopause and length of reproductive age had been analyzed as well. Results: No statistically significant association was found between examined genetic factors and the value of bone mineral density in the investigated group of postmenopausal women. The frequencies of investigated genotypes were in compliance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The correspondence between evaluated clinical parameters and IL-6 i TNF-α genotypes frequencies has not been proven. Conclusions: The -174G/C polymorphism in the IL-6 and -308G/A polymorphism in TNF-α genes have no influence on bone mineral density value (BMD) in the investigated population of women from Wielkopolska region

Male, National, and Religious Collective Narcissism Predict Sexism

Results of three cross-sectional studies indicate that sexism in Poland is associated with collective narcissism—a belief that one’s own group’s (the in-group’s) exaggerated exceptionality is not sufficiently recognized by others—with reference to three social identities: male, religious, and national. In Study 1 (n = 329), male collective narcissism was associated with sexism. This relationship was sequentially mediated by precarious manhood and traditional gender beliefs. In Study 2 (n = 877), Catholic collective narcissism predicted tolerance of violence against women (among men and women) over and above religious fundamentalism and in contrast to intrinsic religiosity. In Study 3 (n = 1070), national collective narcissism was associated with hostile sexism among men and women and with benevolent sexism more strongly among women than among men. In contrast, national in-group satisfaction—a belief that the nation is of a high value—predicted rejection of benevolent and hostile sexism among women but was positively associated with hostile and benevolent sexism among men. Among men and women collective narcissism was associated with tolerance of domestic violence against women, whereas national in-group satisfaction was associated with rejection of violence against women