1,720,975 research outputs found
Phase transition and particle formation of a Human Elastin-Like polypeptide
No full textElastin-Like Polypeptides are an interesting class of
recombinant proteins that mimic elastin. Here we present some
data about phase transition properties and particle formation
features of the recombinantly expressed Human Elastin-Like
polypeptide (HELP). This macromolecule shows a promising
potential as vehicle for delivery and controlled release of active
compounds
Uptake of grape anthocyanins into the rat kidney and the involvement of bilitranslocase
No full textAnthocyanins are among the most common flavonoids in the human diet. In spite of their very low bioavailability, anthocyanins are indicated as active in preventing the progress of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, obesity, inflammation, and cancer. Any piece of knowledge concerning absorption, tissue distribution, metabolism, and excretion of dietary anthocyanins is expected to help understanding the apparent paradox between their low concentrations in cells and their bioactivity. The aim of this work was to investigate the renal uptake of dietary anthocyanins and the underlying molecular mechanism. A solution containing anthocyanins extracted from grape (Vitis vinifera) was introduced into the isolated stomach of anesthetized rats; after both 10 and 30 min, plasma, liver, and kidney were analyzed for their anthocyanin contents. While anthocyanins in the liver were at apparent equilibrium with plasma both after 10 and 30 min, kidney anthocyanins were 3- and 2.3-fold higher than in plasma, after 10 and 30 min, respectively. Since the transport activity of the bilitranslocase in kidney basolateral membrane vesicles was competitively inhibited by malvidin 3-glucoside (K(i) = 4.8 +/- 0.2 microM), the anthocyanin uptake from blood into kidney tubular cells is likely to be mediated by the kidney isoform of this organic anion membrane transporter
Determination of bilirubin by thermal lens spectrometry and studies of its transport into hepatic cells.
No full textBioavailability of flavonoids: a review of their membrane transport and the function of bilitranslocase in animal and plant organisms.
No full textFruits and vegetables are rich in flavonoids, and ample epidemiological data show that diets rich in fruits and vegetables confer protection against cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, and cancer. However, flavonoid bioavailability is reportedly very low in mammals and the molecular mechanisms of their action are still poorly known. This review focuses on membrane transport of flavonoids, a critical determinant of their bioavailability. Cellular influx and efflux transporters are reviewed for their involvement in the absorption of flavonoids from the gastro-intestinal tract and their subsequent tissue distribution. A focus on the mammalian bilirubin transporter bilitranslocase (TCDB 2.A.65.1.1) provides further insight into flavonoid bioavailability and its relationship with plasma bilirubin (an endogenous antioxidant). The general function of bilitranslocase as a flavonoid membrane transporter is further demonstrated by the occurrence of a plant homologue in organs (petals, berries) where flavonoid biosynthesis is most active. Bilitranslocase appears associated with sub-cellular membrane compartments and operates as a flavonoid membrane transporter
BIOAVAILABILITY OF FLAVONOIDS: A REVIEW OF THEIR MEMBRANE TRANSPORT AND THE FUNCTION OF BILITRANSLOCASE IN ANIMAL AND PLANT ORGANISMS
No full textFruits and vegetables are rich in flavonoids, and ample epidemiological data show that diets rich in fruits and vegetables con-fer protection against cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, and cancer. However, flavonoid bioavailability is re-portedly very low in mammals and the molecular mechanisms of their action are still poorly known. This review focuses on membrane
transport of flavonoids, a critical determinant of their bioavailability. Cellular influx and efflux transporters are reviewed for their in-volvement in the absorption of flavonoids from the gastro-intestinal tract and their subsequent tissue distribution. A focus on the mam-malian bilirubin transporter bilitranslocase (TCDB 2.A.65.1.1) provides further insight into flavonoid bioavailability and its relationship
with plasma bilirubin (an endogenous antioxidant). The general function of bilitranslocase as a flavonoid membrane transporter is further
demonstrated by the occurrence of a plant homologue in organs (petals, berries) where flavonoid biosynthesis is most active. Bilitranslo-case appears associated with sub-cellular membrane compartments and operates as a flavonoid membrane transporter
Uptake of bilirubin into HepG2 cells assayed by thermal lens spectroscopy. Function of bilitranslocase
No full text- …
