Staff & Research Project

Staff

Professor, Shinji TAKECHI, Ph.D.

Senior Assistant Professor, Yuui MIYAUCHI, Ph.D.

Research project

Effects of dihydropyrazine (DHP) derivatives on human health

DHP is produced by the condensation of two molecules of D-glucosamine, and some have DNA strand-cleaving activity in vitro. (Dihydropyrazine Derivatives as a New Type of DNA Strand Breaking Agent, Biol. Pharm. Bull., 19, 1261-1265, 1996) DHP species are included in the Maillard reaction intermediates. The Maillard reaction is thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of aging and diabetes. Thus, DHP may be involved in aging and diabetes related diseases, however, there is little reported the biological and physiological roles of DHPs. Our knowledge about the characteristics of DHPs will contribute to the prevention of some diseases concerning metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

Characteristics of DHPs

1. High chemical reactivity ( in vitro )

2. DNA strand-breking activity ( in vitro )

3. Generation of hydroxyl and carbon-centered radicals ( in vitro )

4. Distribution into the brain and spinal cord in mouse ( in vivo )

5. Induction of apoptosis on cultured cell ( in vitro )

6. Activation of MAP kinase on cultured cell ( in vitro )

7. Growth inhibition effect in E.coli and Lactobacillus casei ( in vivo )

8. Induction of mutagenesis in E.coli ( in vivo )

9. Lethal effect in E.coli and Lactobacillus casei ( in vivo )

10. Anti-virus effect( in vivo )

11. Inhibition of cardiac function in rat( in vivo )

12. Inhibition of GAPDH on glycolytic cycle( in vitro )

13. Prevention of heating inventricular clusters( in vitro )

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