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The orally bioavailable alpha form of the naturally-occurring fat-soluble vitamin E, with potent antioxidant and cytoprotective activities. Upon administration, alpha-tocopherol neutralizes free radicals, thereby protecting tissues and organs from oxidative damage. Alpha-tocopherol gets incorporated into biological membranes, prevents protein oxidation and inhibits lipid peroxidation, thereby maintaining cell membrane integrity and protecting the cell against damage. In addition, alpha-tocopherol inhibits the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) and PKC-mediated pathways. Alpha-tocopherol also modulates the expression of various genes, plays a key role in neurological function, inhibits platelet aggregation and enhances vasodilation. Compared with other forms of tocopherol, alpha-tocopherol is the most biologically active form and is the form that is preferentially absorbed and retained in the body.
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This gene plays a role in body weight homeostasis and cellular proliferation. Mutations in the gene are associated with acute myeloid leukemia.
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This gene plays a role in signal transduction, regulation of transcription and enhancement of apoptosis.
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This gene plays a role in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation.
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Along with the immunoglobulin G4 subclass (IgG4), the IgG3 subtype makes up a minor part of circulating antibodies in healthy individuals. The core hinge sequence contains approximately four times the number of amino acids as the other subclasses; allotypes of IgG3 can have up to 62 hinge residues and up to four interchain disulfide bonds. The increased hinge size for IgG3 increases the separation between the Fc (constant fragment) tail and Fab (antigen binding fragment) arms of antibodies of this subclass. This enhances the relative flexibility of the molecule, which may modulate antigen-binding capacity and immune complex formation, and may increase the affinity for binding to both Fc receptors and complement component C1q.
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Exhibiting a broad range of biological activities on T and natural killer cells, Interleukin-12 is a disulfide-bonded heterodimeric cytokine composed of a 35-kD IL12A subunit (IL-6 Superfamily) and a 40-kDa IL12B subunit (Type I Cytokine Receptor 3 Family). IL12 stimulates T-cell-independent production of IFN-gamma by PBMCs, enhances NK cell lytic activity, acts as a growth factor for T- and NK-cells, and is important for Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation. Lymphocyte responses to IL12 require NOS2A and are mediated by STAT4 activator of transcription. (NCI)
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A naturally occurring amino acid found in meat, fish, dairy and eggs. Ornithine is one of the key reactants in the urea cycle that is responsible for 80% of the nitrogen excretion in the body. Ornithine enhances liver function and helps detoxify harmful substances.
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A synthetic form of dehydroepiandrosterone with potential chemopreventive activity. Produced endogenously, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an intermediate in the conversion of cholesterol to androgens and estrogens. Although the mechanisms of action of exogenously administered DHEA have not been fully illuminated, they may result in both direct and indirect physiologic effects. Direct effects include GABA-a receptor complex and NMDA receptor modulation, and enhanced pancreatic beta cell insulin secretion and antiglucocorticoid activities. (NCI04)
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Antibodies in the serum of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis that react with antigenic determinants or immunoglobulins that enhance agglutination of suspended particles coated with pooled human gamma-globulin. Rheumatoid factors also occur in other autoimmune and certain infectious diseases.
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A nitrogenous compound containing a carbonyl group attached to two amine groups with osmotic diuretic activity. In vivo, urea is formed in the liver via the urea cycle from ammonia and is the final end product of protein metabolism. Administration of urea elevates blood plasma osmolality, resulting in enhanced flow of water from tissues, including the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and eye, into interstitial fluid and plasma, thereby decreasing pressure in those tissues and increasing urine outflow.
