Assessing the balance of genotoxic and protective effects by flavonoids in human cells and development of a novel protein nanochip to monitor protection

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Beatrice L. Pool-Zobel (†)
• Subject Area: Pharmacology
• Term: from 2003 to 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5403817

Polyphenols are probably healthy food ingredients on account of their antioxidant activities and their properties to modulate phase I and II enzymes in way that results in cellular chemoresistance. In blood lymphocytes from humans consuming juices with anthocyanins or catechins, however, we first observed a decreased expression of glutathione S-transferate p, followed by an induction of the protein. This implies that there is an inital vulnerability followed by enhanced protection due to the juice consumption. Obviously, it is necessary to understand the consequences of these contrasting effects in humans.Therefore, we will perform kinetic mechanistic studies on positive and negative impacts of flavonoids in human lymphocytes and develop an antibody-based nanochip to quantify expression of selected phase II proteins for biomarker studies. For this we will investigate how two mixtures of polyphenols modulate the biotransformation system. We will determine the expression levels of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), quinone reductase (QR) or UDP-glucuronosyl-transferase (UGT), as functional markers of the cells' detoxification capacities and compare baseline levels before and after treatment with polyphenols.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Karl Otto Greulich