Eggs and Larvae of North Sea Fishes. Edited by Munk P. and Nielsen J. G. Biofolia, Frederiksberg, Denmark, 2005, 215 pp. ISBN 87-9131-924-2. DKr375.

This is not a book designed to be read from cover to cover.It is an identification guide for 96 species of fish commonlyfound in and around the North Sea which aims at supplementingexisting books on the topic. The opening chapter offers a briefaccount of research on the early life stages of fishes, whichincludes a useful résumé of previous publicationson the     

Selective inhibition of ADAMTS-1, -4 and -5 by catechin gallate esters.

Three mammalian ADAMTS enzymes, ADAMTS-1, -4 and -5, are known to cleave aggrecan at certain glutamyl bonds and are considered to be largely responsible for cartilage aggrecan catabolism observed during the development of arthritis. We have previously reported that certain catechins, polyphenolic compounds found in highest concentration in green tea (Camellia sinensis), are capable of inhibiting cartilage aggrecan breakdown in an in vitro model of cartilage degradation. We have now cloned and expressed recombinant human ADAMTS-1, -4 and -5 and report here that the catechin gallate esters found in green tea potently inhibit the aggrecan-degrading activity of these enzymes, with submicromolar IC50 values. Moreover, the concentration needed for total inhibition of these members of the ADAMTS group is approximately two orders of magnitude lower than that which is needed to partially inhibit collagenase or ADAM-10 activity. Catechin gallate esters therefore provide selective inhibition of certain members of the ADAMTS group of enzymes and could constitute an important nutritional aid in the prevention of arthritis as well as being part of an effective therapy in the treatment of joint disease and other pathologies involving the action of these enzymes.