Question

Go to library "daewr". Download the data "bha". This data set is from the experiment conducted by Festing (2003) to deter- mine whether BHA (a common antioxidant used in processed foods) induced activity of the liver enzyme EROD in mice and whether this activity was in- dependent of the strain of mice. It was part of a larger study to deter- mine if antioxidants help protect against cancer. Print the data file.

Answer 1

The question is concerned with the biological study of the effects of BHA on liver enzyme activity in mice and the potential biochemical basis for antioxidants in cancer prevention and cellular protection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the field of Biology, specifically focused on biochemistry and the use of antioxidants in biochemical research. The key aspect of the question is the investigation of the effects of BHA on liver enzyme EROD activity in mice and whether the effect is strain-independent. The studies referenced, including Festing (2003), explore this by examining enzymes such as EROD, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and other antioxidant enzymes. They attempt to understand the biochemical role of antioxidant compounds like BHA and B-carotene, their use as indicators of oxidative stress in cells, and their potential in cancer protection.

In the provided research, antioxidants appear to demonstrate antiproliferative effects through compounds like 17a, which is shown to reduce cell proliferation and induce LDH release as an indicator of cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the studies look at the biochemical role of antioxidants, such as tocopherols (vitamin E), in capturing free radicals and ending free radical chain reactions. Investigations into biochemical responses to stress, involving the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes and other defense proteins, are also cited to illustrate the broader context within which the effects of BHA are being studied.