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Inositol polyphosphates (InsPs) are naturally occurring compounds ubiquitously present in plants and animals. Inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) is the most abundant among all InsPs and constitutes the major portion of dietary fiber in most cereals, legumes and nuts. Certain derivatives of InsPs also regulate cellular signaling mechanisms. InsPs have also been shown to reduce tumor formation and induce apoptosis in cancerous cells. Therefore, in this study, the effects of InsPs on apoptosis were studied in an attempt to investigate their potential anti‐cancer therapeutic application and understand their mechanism of action. Acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining suggested that InsP6 dose dependently induced apoptosis in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF‐7 cells. Among InsPs tested (InsP3, InsP4, InsP5, and InsP6), InsP6 was found to be the most effective in inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, effects of InsP6 were found most potent inducing apoptosis. Etoposide, the drug known to induce apoptosis in both...

A modified NASA validated tail suspension animal model of simulated microgravity was used to induce weightlessness in mice. Animals were suspended by tail to simulate microgravity for 21 days. Effect of simulated microgravity on the expression G‐proteins was studied in various tissues. Specific antibodies were used to probe stimulatory and inhibitory G‐proteins on Western Blots. Our results suggested that there is a significant increase in the amounts G‐protein subunits in hind limb suspended tissues compared to controls. Further experiments are required to establish any relationship in the apparent changes in G‐proteins and inositol phosphates.