Synergistic effects of psyllium husk powder and different levels of methylcellulose on the storage stability of sodium caseinate emulsion.

The study investigated the effects of compound fibers composed of psyllium husk powder (PHP, 0.3%) and methylcellulose (MC, 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2%) on the storage stability, rheology, and microstructure of sodium caseinate emulsions. Results showed that the emulsion stability was enhanced with the increased concentrations of MC, especially at the concentration of 1.2%. The oil droplet size in the emulsions was decreased as the concentrations of compound fibers increased, which was further confirmed by the optical microscope analysis. The rheological measurements and cryo-scanning electron microscopy results indicated that compound fibers improved the viscosity of the emulsions, and formed a strong three-dimensional network structure. The results of confocal laser scanning microscope and surface protein concentration measurements showed that compound fibers were evenly distributed into the oil droplet surface. The above results demonstrate that compound fibers are an effective thickener and emulsifier in enhancing the stability properties of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions stabilized by sodium caseinate.

Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on ES-2 ovarian cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor is found in the ovarian tissue, including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), suggesting that GnRH agonists may have direct action on EOC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ovarian clear cell cancer (ES-2) cells were treated with low-dose GnRH agonist with/without low-dose paclitaxel (1 µM D-Lys(6) with/without 0.5 µM or 1.0 µM paclitaxel). Growth and behavior of ES-2 cells were evaluated. RESULTS: Use of either D-Lys(6) or paclitaxel or a combination of the two did not affect the morphology and growth pattern of ES-2 cells. However, ability of migration and invasion of ES-2 cells was significantly decreased in either use of D-Lys(6) or paclitaxel and more apparent with the combination. Type I GnRH receptor expression of ES-2 was not altered significantly by the combination. CONCLUSION: GnRH agonist might modify the ES-2 ovarian cancer cells, and its role might be independent, additional or synergistic, suggesting the potential role of the use of GnRH agonist in the management of clear cell type of the ovarian cancer. However, the results of this study were derived using ES-2 ovarian cancer cells, and might not be valid in other cell types of ovarian cancers.

Altered ganglioside GD3 in HeLa cells might influence the cytotoxic abilities of NK cells.

OBJECTIVE: Previously, we found that altered sialidases in HeLa cells in a natural killer-HeLa (NK-HeLa) coculture system contributed to the decreased cytotoxic ability of NK cells. However, changes that occur in the glycosylation of the HeLa cells in the NK-HeLa coculture system remain unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An NK-HeLa coculture system was used to examine the changes that occur in the gangliosides of HeLa cells. RESULTS: GD3 expression in HeLa cells was significantly increased in the NK-HeLa coculture system. Exogenous ganglioside GD3 decreased the cytotoxic ability of the NK cells, which could be restored by the addition of the anti-GD3 antibody. Coadministration of GD3 and sialidase further decreased the cytotoxic ability of the NK cells, which could be partially restored by the addition of a sialidase inhibitor (DANA). GD3 expression in HeLa cells also decreased following DANA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that interactions between ganglioside GD3 and sialidases in HeLa cells influence the cytotoxic ability of NK cells.