Health Environment Analysis Laboratory

The different areas of planned or current research are briefly summarized as follows:

Task 1. Fish Research. Extend prior experimental test tube evidence by using live models (Rainbow Trout) to determine the effect on cancer resistance of those parameters that were found to increase the PUFA dependant catalase to peroxidase ratio in the test tube.* Some of the factors that in reasonable physiological concentrations increased this ratio were ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol. Retinol acetate to a much lessor extend had a similar effect. However because of other evidence** both retinol esters and retinoic acid are being included along with ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol in this phase of the of our research. Then extend the same queries and tests to other types of cancer. CLICK ON CURRENT RESULTS TO SEE CURRENT STATUS AND RESULTS TO DATE.

Task 2. Other Species. Confirm whether past experiments, that show a correlation of hepatoma susceptibility to the deficiency of the detoxifying catalase enzyme found in certain fish species, is a phenomenon that occurs repeatedly or generally in cancer susceptible species. And further, determine whether the low activity of PUFA dependant catalase is actually causative or is only coincidental and unrelated to carcinogenesis.

Task 3. Cell Controls. Determine whether the previously demonstrated PUFA dependant catalase is involved in the metabolic pathways which ultimately control cell differentiation, cell growth and cell death.


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* See the "MISSION STATEMENT" and its attached description of the polyunsaturated fatty acid dependent catalase mediated oxidation of organic molecules entitled "Catalase Deficiency and Hepatoma Susceptibility in Steelhead Trout".

** See the following articles reviewing recent research with retinol and retinoic acid.

"The Retinol-Binding Protein Superfamily", by A. Sivaprasadarao and J. B. C. Findlay Chap. 4 in: Vitamin A in Health and Disease, Ed. By Rune Blomhoff; 1994, Marcel Deckker, Inc.

New York, Basel, Hong Kong.

"Retinoic Acid Homeostasis: Prospective Roles of -Carotene, Retinol, CRBP and CRABP", by J. L. Napoli, Chap 6 in: Vitamin A in Health and Disease, ibid.

"Role of Nuclear Retinoic Acid Receptors in the Regulation of Gene Expression", by P. Kastner et al. Chap. 7 in: Vitamin A in Health and Disease, ibid.

"The Retinoid X Receptors: Modulators of Multiple Hormonal Signaling Pathways", by S. A. Kliewer et al. Chap. 8 in: Vitamin A in Health and Disease, ibid.

"Role of Retinoids in Embryonic Development", by M. Maden Chap. 11 in: Vitamin A in Health and Disease, ibid.

"Regulation of Epithelial Differentiation by Retinoids", by D. Rosenthal et al. Chap. 15 in: Vitamin A in Health and Disease, ibid.

"Role of Retinoids in Normal Hematopoiesis and the Immune System", by H. K. Blomhoff and E. B. Smeland Chap. 16 in: Vitamin A in Health and Disease, ibid.

"Retinoids and Acute Myeloid Leukemia:, by K. R. Norum Chap. 17 in: Vitamin A in Health and Disease, ibid.