An improved and updated version of the compact procedure for the evaluation of P450-mediated chemical activation.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Ioannides.
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The purpose of this study was to determine whether a combination of two anti-idiotypic antibodies that mimic the high molecular weight proteoglycan antigen found on most melanoma tumors was capable of enhancing cellular immunity in vaccinated high-risk patients with melanoma. Twenty-eight stage I-IV high-risk patients with melanoma were immunized with a mixture of variable concentrations of MELIMMUNE-1 and MELIMMUNE-2, along with the adjuvant SAF-m, using two immunization schedules. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected before the first immunization and 4 weeks after the final immunization and tested for in vitro proliferation to MELIMMUNE-1 and MELIMMUNE-2 and for cytotoxicity against 51Cr-labeled target cell lines. Additionally, supernatants from in vitro proliferation cultures were tested for interleukin 10 and IFN-gamma levels. Significant in vitro proliferation to MELIMMUNE-1 and MELIMMUNE-2 were observed in postimmunization samples but not in prevaccination samples. The mean stimulation index for MELIMMUNE-2 (33.7 +/- 0.6) was significantly higher than that for MELIMMUNE-1 (13.9 +/- 0.3; P < 0.025). Supernatants obtained from 78% of the in vitro stimulated cultures pre- or postvaccination contained significant levels of interleukin 10 (range, 0.43-142 pg/ml), whereas IFN-gamma levels were elevated in 53% of postvaccination samples (range, 3-245 pg/ml) but not prevaccination samples. More importantly, we were able to generate specific CTL responses in 43% of the patients, which correlated with elevated IFN-gamma levels. These results indicate that MELIMMUNE enhances cell-mediated immunity in patients with melanoma.
Agaritine (N2-[L-(+)-glutamyl]-4-(hydroxymethylphenyl)hydrazine), the principal hydrazine found in the edible mushroom Agaricus bisporus, as well as the N'-acetyl derivative of 4-(hydroxymethyl)phenylhydrazine and 4-(hydroxymethyl)benzene diazonium ion, as the tetraborate salt, considered as the putative proximate and ultimate carcinogens of agaritine, were all synthesised chemically. The mutagenicity of these compounds and of 4-hydrazinobenzoic acid, a precursor of agaritine biosynthesis in mushroom, was investigated in the Ames test, using Salmonella typhimurium strain TA104, in the absence and in the presence of either mushroom tyrosinase or rat hepatic cytosol as activation systems. In the absence of an activation system the diazonium ion was clearly the most mutagenic of the four compounds studied. When tyrosinase was used as activation system, the mutagenicity of N'-acetyl-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenylhydrazine was enhanced; glutathione and superoxide dismutase markedly suppressed the mutagenic response. When the mutagenicity of the four compounds was evaluated in the presence of rat hepatic cytosol, an increase was seen only in the case of N'-acetyl-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenylhydrazine; this was shown to be due to deacetylation releasing the more mutagenic free hydrazine. Collectively, the above data are compatible with an activation of agaritine that involves an initial loss of the gamma-glutamyl group followed by microsomal oxidation of the free hydrazine to generate the diazonium ion. Also of interest is the observation that mushroom tyrosinase can convert N'-acetyl-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenylhydrazine to mutagenic product(s); whether these products contribute to the mutagenicity of mushroom extracts remains to be established.
The objective of the present study was to identify the polychlorinated biphenyl congeners of Aroclor 1254 that are responsible for the induction of the cytosolic bioactivation of aromatic amines. Various chlorobiphenyls, ranging from di- to hexa-substituted, were administered to rats and the ability of the hepatic cytosol to bioactivate 2-aminoanthracene and 2-aminofluorene was investigated. These studies revealed that the induction of the cytosolic activation of aromatic amines increased with the increasing extent of chlorination; moreover, planar congeners were more effective inducers of this activity compared to their non-planar isomers. This observation prompted us to investigate whether the cytosolic activation of aromatic amines is associated with the Ah receptor. Treatment of mice with Aroclor 1254 stimulated the cytosolic activation of aromatic amines in C57BL6 mice, an Ah-responsive strain, whereas it had no effect in DBA2 mice, a non-responsive strain. These findings indicate that the bioactivation of aromatic amines by the liver cytosol is linked to the Ah receptor.
Using 1- and 2-aminonaphthalene as model substrates, we investigated the effect of insertion of a second amino group on mutagenicity, binding to the cytosolic Ah receptor and CYP1A inducibility, and the effects were compared to those elicited by 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and 1-naphthylethylenediamine. 1,5- and 1,8-diaminonaphthalene were effective inducers of CYP1A activity, more potent than 1-aminonaphthalene. 2,3-Diaminonaphthalene was also an inducer of CYP1A, but the effect was similar to that elicited by 2-aminonaphthalene. In contrast, 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and 1-naphthylethylenediamine did not induce CYP1A activity. All aminonaphthalenes displaced [3H]TCDD from the Ah receptor, whereas 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and 1-naphthylethylenediamine failed to do so. The latter two compounds did not elicit a mutagenic response in the Ames test. Introduction of a second amino group at the 3-position of 2-aminonaphthalene did not modulate its mutagenicity. In the case of the non-mutagenic 1-aminonaphthalene, introduction of a second amino group at position 5 had no effect but when it was incorporated at position 8, mutagenic potential was conferred to the molecule. Computer modelling of the putative active site of CYP1A2 revealed that 1,5-diaminonaphthalene is orientated so that the distance of the second amino group from the iron-oxene is 4.037 A while in the case of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene the distance is shorter, 2.744 A, favouring its activation through N-hydroxylation. Of the compounds studied, 1,8-diaminonaphthalene and, to a lesser extent, 2,3-diaminonaphthalene autoinduced their activation. It is concluded that insertion of a second amino group at the 5- or 8-position of 1-aminonaphthalene may enhance biological activity but in the case of 2-aminonaphthalene insertion of a second amino group at position 3 had no major effect.
Large defects of the parotid region resulting from excision of malignant tumours, or necrotic tissue due to radiotherapy, should not always be closed with local tissue, for several reasons. Occasionally, myocutaneous flaps are indicated, giving better results. We describe the problems of such tissue defects and our experience over a 10-year period using 2 different flap reconstruction techniques. A total of 28 cases, 25 with malignant tumours of the parotid or the external ear, 2 with extensive radionecrosis of the parotid region and 1 with a burn, were evaluated. The defects were restored with a pectoralis major flap in 21 cases and with a free latissimus dorsi flap in 7 cases. The follow-up ranged from 18 to 60 months. The flaps were successful in achieving stable wound healing, restoration of tissue volume and in helping patients to return to normal life activities. There were complications in 28.5% of the cases. There were 2 early deaths due to encephalitis. Two pectoralis major flaps (9.5%) failed partially. All latissimus dorsi flaps survived. The pectoralis major proved to be useful, especially in older and medically compromised patients, whereas the latissimus dorsi fared well in younger female patients and in cases of a hemifacial resection defect. Numerous technical points in both methods are emphasized.
The present study was undertaken to establish whether liver and kidney enzyme systems, from rat and mouse, have the potential to metabolise and bioactivate agaritine, beta-N-(gamma-L(+)glutamyl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenylhydrazine, the most abundant hydrazine present in the edible mushroom Agaricus bisporus. Agaritine was weakly mutagenic, in the absence of an activation system, in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA104. Rat kidney homogenates, characterised by high gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, enhanced the mutagenic response. In contrast, hepatic microsomes, having very low gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, did not influence the mutagenicity of agaritine. However, hepatic microsomes could further potentiate the mutagenic response induced by the kidney. Agaritine was a good substrate for purified gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, being converted to a major metabolite, 4-(hydroxymethyl)phenylhydrazine, formed as a result of the loss of the glutamyl moiety. Kidney homogenates from the rat and mouse also catalysed this reaction, the former being the more effective. Metabolism of agaritine was suppressed by serine-borate, an inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Kidney homogenates from rat and mouse could metabolise agaritine to intermediate(s) that bound covalently to proteins, with the rat preparations being the more effective; covalent binding was inhibited by glutathione. In contrast, hepatic preparations alone were ineffective in producing such covalent binding but did further increase the covalent binding mediated by the kidney preparations. It is concluded that rat and mouse kidney homogenates catalyse the removal of the glutamyl group from agaritine to yield the reactive free hydrazine, which is further converted to the highly reactive diazonium ion by hepatic microsomes.
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The effect of vitamin C supplementation on hepatic cytochrome P450 expression was investigated in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic male Wistar Albino rats. STZ-treated rats displayed the usual characteristics of diabetes including; hyperphagia, polydipsia, decreased body weight gain and also the increased expression and activity of hepatic CYP1A, 2B, 2E and 4A proteins. Vitamin C administration in drinking water (2% w/v) was associated with significant decreases in the levels of hyperglycaemia (P < 0.05), glycosylated haemoglobin (P < 0.05), hyperlipidaemia (P < 0.001), and hyperketonaemia (P < 0.001) associated with STZ-diabetes. Vitamin C-treatment selectively reduced the activity and expression of CYP2E proteins (P < 0.001). These effects on CYP2E expression may be mediated by the reduced levels of circulating ketone bodies, however, a direct effect on CYP2E expression in diabetes cannot be discounted.
The present study was undertaken to provide a rationale for the marked difference in carcinogenic potential among isomeric diaminotoluenes, in relation to their ability to induce their own bioactivation through CYP1A induction, their genotoxic potential, and their ability to bind to the cytosolic aromatic hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor. Of the four possible diaminotoluenes only the 2,3- and, to a lesser extent, the 2,4-isomer induced CYP1A activity. Similarly, only these two isomers could displace [3H]T-CDD from the hepatic cytosolic Ah receptor. In the presence of Aroclor 1254- induced microsomes, 2,4- and 2,6-diaminotoluene were potent mutagens in the Ames test. Only 2,4-diaminotoluene could autoinduce its activation. Of the four isomers only 2,4-diaminotoluene is an established carcinogen and this is compatible with the present observations that it is the only isomer that stimulates its own activation through CYP1A induction, is metabolically converted to genotoxic intermediates, and binds to the Ah receptor. 2,6-Diaminotoluene is recognized as a mutagenic noncarcinogen and in the present studies it elicited a positive mutagenic response in the Ames test but failed to induce CYP1A activity and its own activation, and could not bind to the Ah receptor even at concentrations as high as 5 x 10(-4) M. The present findings demonstrate that in vitro studies are very useful tools in predicting the carcinogenic potency of isomeric chemicals.
The expression and inducibility of cytochrome P450 proteins in the liver of chick embryo were investigated using substrate probes and/or immunologically using polyclonal antibodies to the mammalian isoforms. Antibodies to CYP1A1 recognised a single protein which was inducible by structurally diverse chemicals, including aminocompounds, and was parallelled by increases in the O-dealkylations of ethoxy- and methoxyresorufin and in the bioactivation of Glu-P-1. When probed with antibodies to CYP2E1 an immunoreacting protein was revealed which was induced by phenobarbital but not acetone; a second protein became apparent following the treatment with phenobarbital. The increase in apoprotein levels was accompanied by similar increases in p-nitrophenol hydroxylase. Antibodies to CYP2C11 recognised two immunorelated proteins, of which one was inducible by phenobarbital. The same inducer, but not dexamethasone, enhanced the N-demethylation of erythromycin but antibodies to rat CYP3A1 failed to detect any proteins. Finally, lauric acid hydroxylation was not detectable in chick embryo and, moreover, no immunoreacting band was visible following probing of microsomes with anti-CYP4A1. It is concluded that proteins immunorelated to the mammalian CYP1 and CYP2 families are expressed in chick embryo but the regulation of the latter family in the embryo by exogenous chemicals differs markedly from that established for mammals.
CT scans of ten patients in whom the diagnosis of mandibular osteoradionecrosis was proven pathologically or by clinical follow-up were reviewed. All ten patients had bony abnormalities (cortical interruptions and loss of spongiosa trabeculation) on the symptomatic side. These were predominantly seen in the body of the mandible (premolar and molar region, eight patients), in some of these cases extending into the retromolar triangle (two patients) or mandibular angle (two patients). In the remaining two patients the abnormalities were in the ramus and angle. The two patients treated with iridium implantation showed localized lingual-sided cortical destruction. Three patients had a pathological fracture. The cortical destruction was buccal-sided in two and both buccal- and lingual-sided in three of the other five patients. Contralateral bony abnormalities were present in four patients. Soft tissue thickening on the symptomatic side was seen in nine patients. As the bony abnormalities in mandibular osteoradionecrosis are often associated with a soft tissue mass, CT differentiation from tumor recurrence can be difficult. The association with cortical defects distant from the position of the original tumor (buccal surface or opposite side of mandible) should evoke the possibility of mandibular osteoradionecrosis.
The mutagenicity of commercially available white grape juice was evaluated in the Ames mutagenicity test. Grape juice elicited a positive mutagenic, response in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA104 and a weaker response in strains TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA1530. The mutagenic response was evident in the absence of an activation system and inclusion of such a system did not influence mutagenicity. The grape juice-mediated mutagenic response was not due to histidine residues in the juice or likely treatment with sulfite. Moreover, freshly prepared grape juice displayed a similar mutagenic response. Three different brands of commercially available white grape juice were investigated in the Ames test; they all provoked a clear positive mutagenic response, but the degree of mutagenicity differed and could not be attributed to differences in the content of solids. It is concluded that grapes contain direct-acting genotoxic component(s).
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of phenols, quinones and reactive oxygen species in the mutagenicity of white grape juice in the Ames mutagenicity test. Mutagenicity was markedly suppressed by reduced glutathione but was not influenced by superoxide dismutase or catalase. In the presence of grape polyphenol oxidase, the mutagenicity of grape juice was markedly increased. When hepatic cytosol from Aroclor 1254-induced rats, supplemented with a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-generating system. served as an activation system, an increase in the mutagenicity of grape juice was observed. The cytosol-induced mutagenicity of grape juice was attenuated in the presence of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione. It is concluded that polyphenol oxidase-catalysed oxidation of phenolic compounds generates genotoxic species that are, at least partly, responsible for the mutagenicity of grape juice. In the presence of hepatic cytosol, one-electron reduction of grape juice quinones leads to the production of reactive oxygen species resulting in an increase in the mutagenic response.
The present study was undertaken to compare the antimutagenic activity of aqueous extracts, at the concentrations used for human consumption, from green, black and decaffeinated black tea. Antimutagenic potential was evaluated against three indirect-acting dietary carcinogens, Glu-P-1, benzo(a)pyrene and nitrosopyrrolidine. All three types of tea gave rise to strong and concentration-dependent suppression of the mutagenicity of the three premutagens in the presence of an activation system. No major difference in the antimutagenic potential of the three types of tea could be discerned. Black tea, decaffeinated black tea and, to a lesser extent, green tea also antagonized the mutagenicity of the direct-acting mutagen 9-aminoacridine. All three types of tea inhibited markedly the NADPH-dependent reduction of cytochrome c and the O-dealkylations of ethoxy-, methoxy- and, to a much lesser extent, pentoxy-resorufin. When the microsomal metabolism was terminated, after the metabolic activation of the premutagens, incorporation of the aqueous tea extracts into the activation system caused a concentration-dependent suppression of mutagenic response. No significant difference in the antimutagenic activity of the three types of tea in this system was evident. Bearing in mind the much higher concentration of flavanols in green tea compared with the black teas, it may be concluded either that these compounds are unlikely to be the major tea components responsible for the antimutagenic, and possibly anticarcinogenic, properties of tea or that their fermentation products are similarly active.
A new series of 30 miscellaneous National Toxicology Program chemicals has been evaluated prospectively for carcinogenicity and overt toxicity by COMPACT (Computer Optimised Molecular Parametric Analysis for Chemical Toxicity. CYP1A and CYP2E1). Evaluations were also made by Hazardexpert, and for metal ion redox potentials; and these, together with COMPACT, were compared with results from the Ames test for mutagenicity in Salmonella, the micronucleus test, and 90-day subchronic rodent pathology. Seven of the 30 chemicals (nitromethane, chloroprene, xylenesulphonic acid, furfuryl alcohol, anthraquinone, emodin, cinnamaldehyde) were positive for potential carcinogenicity in the COMPACT evaluation; xylenesulphonic acid and furfuryl alcohol were only equivocally positive. Four of the 30 chemicals-scopolamine, D&C Yellow No. 11, citral, cinnamaldehyde-were positive by Hazardexpert; 6 of 30-D&C Yellow No. 11, 1-chloro-2-propanol, anthraquinone, emodin, sodium nitrite, cinnamaldehyde-were positive in the Ames test; 2 of 30-phenolphthalein and emodin-were positive in the in vivo cytogenetics test; and 3 of 30-molybdenum trioxide, gallium arsenide, vanadium pentoxide-were metal compounds with redox potentials of the metal/metal ion indicative of possible carcinogenicity. The overall prediction for carcinogenicity was positive for 12 of 30 chemicals: nitromethane, chloroprene, D&C Yellow No. 11, molybdenum trioxide, 1-chloro-2-propanol, furfuryl alcohol, gallium arsenide, anthraquinone, emodin, sodium nitrite, cinnamaldehyde, vanadium pentoxide). This overall prediction has been made on the basis of the results of the computer tests and from consideration of the information from bacterial mutagenicity, together with likely lipid solubility and pathways of metabolism and elimination.
The hepatic expression of xenobiotic-metabolising cytochrome P450 isoforms in the genetically obese Zucker rat, a model of obesity, was compared to that of its lean littermate. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) levels were determined using diagnostic substrates and/or immunologically in Western blot analyses. When compared with the lean Zucker rat, the obese animal exhibited hyperglycaemia, hypercholesterolaemia, marked hyperinsulinaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia but was normoketonaemic. CYP3A and CYP1A2 levels were higher in the obese Zucker rat when compared with the lean littermate but, in contrast, a protein recognised by human CYP2D6 and, to a lesser extent, CYP2C11 levels were lower. Pretreatment with acetone, dexamethasone and clofibrate resulted in enhanced p-nitrophenol hydroxylase (CYP2E), erythromycin N-demethylase (CYP3A) and lauric acid hydroxylase (CYP4A) activities respectively in the liver of the lean Zucker rat but, in contrast, the obese Zucker rat was refractive to such treatment; similarly, hepatic apoprotein levels of the CYP2E and CYP4A subfamilies were increased markedly only in the lean Zucker rat. It is concluded that CYP2E, CYP3A and CYP4A subfamilies are poorly expressed in the obese Zucker rat, and this rat strain may serve as a good model for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of induction of these cytochrome P450 proteins.
Caffeine was administered to male Wistar albino rats for two weeks at three concentrations, namely 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3%, and hepatic cytochrome P450-dependent mixed-function oxidase determined. Caffeine administration gave rise to a marked, dose-dependent increase in the O-deethylation of ethoxyresorufin and, to a lesser extent, in the O-depentylation of pentoxyresorufin. Erythromycin N-demethylase, p-nitrophenol hydroxylase and lauric acid hydroxylase activities, as well as total cytochrome P450 content were unaffected by this treatment. Immunoblot analysis revealed that caffeine gave rise to a dose-dependent increase in the hepatic CYP1A2, and at the highest dose only, CYP2B apoprotein levels. Apoprotein levels of CYP3A and CYP2E1 were not modulated by the treatment with caffeine at all dose levels studied. Caffeine could not displace [3H]TCDD from the rat hepatic cytosolic Ah receptor. Computer analysis showed that caffeine is essentially a planar molecule with an area/depth ratio 4.8, characteristic of CYP1A substrates/inducers. Molecular modelling revealed that the caffeine molecule could orientate itself within the putative CYP1A2 active site so as to facilitate demethylation of the N-1, N-3 and N-7 positions. However, at physiological pH, the N-9 nitrogen atom is likely to be partially protonated, allowing it to participate in an electrostatic interaction with the negatively-charged glutamate 318-residue, favouring N-3 demethylation, the major pathway of metabolism in both humans and animals. In conclusion caffeine, being essentially planar, is an inducer of CYP1A2 in rat liver.