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Biomedical subjects

H J Segall

Publications and source records attributed to H J Segall.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Effects of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine and the alkenals trans-4-OH-hexenal and trans-2-hexenal on intracellular calcium compartmentation in isolated hepatocytes.

The pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine has been shown to produce an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in isolated hepatocytes that correlated with an increase in cellular toxicity. The cytotoxicity was greater in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ than in its presence, suggesting that alterations in intracellular Ca2+ distribution, and not an influx of extracellular Ca2+, were responsible for the senecionine-induced hepatotoxicity. The effect of senecionine, as well as the effects of trans-4-OH-2-hexenal (t-4HH), a microsomal metabolite of senecionine, and a related alkenal, trans-2-hexenal, on the sequestration of Ca2+ in mitochondrial and extramitochondrial compartments were examined in isolated hepatocytes. Each of the test compounds elicited a decrease in the available extramitochondrial Ca2+ stores that was inhibited by pretreatment with the thiol group reducing agent, dithiothreitol. Senecionine and t-4HH decreased the level of Ca2+ sequestered in the mitochondrial compartment of hepatocytes. The presence of a pyridine nucleotide reducing agent, beta-hydroxybutyrate, inhibited this reduction. These results suggest that both senecionine and t-4HH inhibit the sequestration of Ca2+ in extramitochondrial and mitochondrial compartments possibly by inactivating free sulfhydryl groups and oxidizing pyridine nucleotides respectively.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1989

Progressive inflammatory and structural changes in the pulmonary vasculature of monocrotaline-treated rats.

The progression of changes in the bronchus-associated and intraacinar pulmonary arteries of rats treated with a single dose of monocrotaline (60 mg/kg) was evaluated by quantitative light and electron microscopy. The relative volume of vessel wall components was normalized to the surface area of the adventitial sheath. An increased relative volume of media was evident in intraacinar pulmonary arteries by 4 hr post-treatment. This increase may represent vascular smooth muscle contraction. Significant increases in adventitial mononuclear inflammatory cells were evident by 8-16 hr post-treatment in intraacinar pulmonary arteries and veins but not until 14 days post-treatment in major, bronchus-associated pulmonary arteries. Inflammatory cell influxes were associated with increased relative volume of adventitia, largely due to increased extracellular space. By 22 days posttreatment, there was right ventricular hypertrophy and a marked mononuclear vasculitis in major and intraacinar pulmonary arteries as well as intraacinar veins (confirmed as such by vascular perfusion of carbon/gelatin). There was increased relative medial volume in both major and intraacinar pulmonary arteries associated with increased extracellular matrix composed largely of collagen. Intraacinar veins developed intimal plaques of smooth muscle in a collagenous matrix. We conclude that (1) adventitial inflammation precedes morphologic evidence of medial changes in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension, (2) involvement of intraacinar arteries precedes that of major bronchus associated arteries, and (3) both pulmonary arteries and veins are involved in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary vascular disease in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Determination of pyrrolizidine alkaloid metabolites from mouse liver microsomes using tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

The rapid and sensitive identification and quantification of important pyrrolizidine alkaloid metabolites using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is described. Identifications of N-oxide and hydrolytic metabolites of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids senecionine and monocrotaline in extracts of mouse hepatic microsomal incubations were accomplished by comparing collisionally activated decomposition/mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectra of specific ions from microsomal extracts with spectra obtained from synthetic standards of suspected metabolites. Trace amounts of the toxic metabolite dihydropyrrolizine (DHP) were observed by GC/MS of trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives, but the amounts present in hepatic microsomal extracts were below the MS/MS limit of detection. Quantitative determinations of senecionine N-oxide were performed by fast atom bombardment MS/MS. Suppression of N-oxide ionization by other substances in the extracts was judged to be minimal. The TMS derivatives of the metabolites senecic acid, monocrotalic acid and DHP were quantified using capillary GC/MS. Results from the study demonstrate that the relative contributions of the three major pathways of pyrrolizidine alkaloid metabolism (N-oxidation, hydrolysis and oxidation to pyrrolic compounds) can be assessed using a single analytical instrument and minimal sample preparation.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Species differences in the hepatic microsomal metabolism of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine.

1. The comparative metabolism of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) senecionine was studied in vitro in incubations of rat, guinea pig, cow, horse, and sheep hepatic microsomes. 2. Levels of the toxic pyrrolic metabolite 6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP) were higher from guinea pig incubations (39.9 nmol/mg protein) than from other species (range 0.07 to 7.5 nmol/mg); results disagree with prior studies which used nonspecific techniques and suggest that the guinea pig's resistance to certain PAs may be due to resistance to pyrrole toxicity rather than low pyrrole formation. 3. Minor differences in senecionine N-oxidation and hydrolysis existed between the various species.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced liver disease in horses: an early diagnosis.

Nine adult horses were fed alfalfa hay cubes containing approximately 10% Senecio vulgaris until all horses had consumed approximately the same amount of toxic components of S vulgaris, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA). The amount of PA consumed was determined by the amount that induced clinical signs of PA toxicosis in 3 horses. The 6 other horses were given similar amounts per kilogram of body weight. An initial decrease of feed intake was observed when horses' diets were changed from alfalfa cubes to alfalfa/Senecio cubes, and feed intake was decreased further over 89 to 98 days. From 50 to 159 days, body weight decreased in all horses. Liver disease was induced in all 9 horses after they ate an average of 233 +/- 9.2 mg of PA/kg of body weight. Eight horses died or were euthanatized. Treatment with branched chain amino acids had no effect on mortality, but appeared to reduce neurologic problems. Clinical signs of PA-induced liver disease included ataxia, head pressing, and decreased feed intake. Other clinical signs of toxicosis were observed individual horses, but did not develop in most horses. Megalocytic hepatopathy developed. Liver abnormalities proceeded as PA was consumed and were severe in 8 of 9 horses before clinical signs of toxicosis appeared. Sulfobromophthalein sodium clearance did not decrease until PA-induced liver disease was advanced. Bile acid (BA) concentrations increased to greater than or equal to 50 mumol/L, in the 8 horses that died. One horse had hepatopathy and increased BA concentration, but survived. In this horse, BA concentration peaked at 33 mumol/L and then decreased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids, Branched-Chain↗
PubMed1987

Lipid peroxidation and cellular damage caused by the pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine, the alkenal trans-4-hydroxy-2-hexenal, and related alkenals.

Lipid peroxidation was examined as a possible mechanism for cell injury by trans-4-OH-2-hexenal, the macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine and related alkenals in isolated rat hepatocytes. Each compound elicited a positive dose response for peroxidation of cellular lipids as measured by the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive products. The addition of the anti-oxidant N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine to the hepatocyte suspensions inhibited the production of thiobarbituric acid-reactants. However, the presence of the anti-oxidant had no protective effects on the cell membrane integrity as evidenced by the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase from the cells into the surrounding media. These results suggest that lipid peroxidation which occurs in the presence of senecionine, trans-4-OH-2-hexenal or related alkenals is not entirely responsible for the cellular damage in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1987

In vitro effects of trans-4-hydroxy-2-alkenals on mouse liver cytochrome P-450.

Under in vitro conditions, trans-4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (t-4HH), trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (t-4-HN) and trans-2-hexenal (t-2H) significantly reduced the levels of mouse liver microsomal cytochrome P-450. Incubation of trans-4-hydroxy-alkenals, under anaerobic conditions in the absence of an NADPH-generating system indicated that these compounds were converting cytochrome P-450 to cytochrome P-420. Prior activation by the mixed function oxidase system was not required for trans-4-hydroxy-alkenals to alter cytochrome P-450 concentrations. trans-4-Hydroxy-alkenals and non-hydroxylated alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes may be exerting their effects on cytochrome P-450 by binding to sulfhydryl groups in a similar manner as reported for sulfhydryl reagents such as p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid and p-chloromercuribenzoate.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1986

Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of selected pyrrolizidine alkaloids, a possible alkenal metabolite of the alkaloids, and related alkenals.

Recently our laboratory isolated trans-4-OH-2-hexenal from the hepatic microsomal metabolism of the macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) senecionine and demonstrated in vivo that hepatic necrosis occurred following injection into the hepatic portal vein. To demonstrate similarities in the toxic effects of these compounds, as well as additional macrocyclic PAs and alkenals, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity were examined in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. A positive cytotoxic response was exhibited by senecionine, retrorsine, seneciphylline, 19-OH-senecionine, trans-4-OH-2-hexenal, trans-4-OH-2-nonenal, and nonenal as measured by the release of LDH. A weaker response was elicited by hexenal. Dosages used of each of these compounds ranged from 30 to 600 nmol/10(6) cells, with each compound exhibiting a linear dose response within this range. All eight compounds exhibited a positive, dose-related genotoxic response as measured by autoradiographic detection of unscheduled DNA synthesis. These results would predict a carcinogenic role for both the PAs and the alkenals. This would suggest similarities in the mechanisms of action of the PAs and alkenals, lending support to the proposed role of trans-4-OH-2-hexenal as an important toxic metabolite of the PAs.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1986

Metabolism of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid metabolite trans-4-hydroxy-2-hexenal by mouse liver aldehyde dehydrogenases.

The metabolism of trans-4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (t-4HH) was compared with that of propionaldehyde (PAL) and trans-2-hexenal (t-2H). Kinetic experiments with hepatic cytosol as a source for aldehyde dehydrogenase(s) (ALDH) (E.C. 1.2.1.3) resulted in linear Lineweaver-Burk plots for both t-4HH and t-2H, while PAL produced biphasic plots. Values of 43 and 3 microM were obtained for the apparent Km values for t-4HH and t-2H, respectively, with the two apparent Kms for PAL being 5 microM and 0.8 mM. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of cytosol isolated two peaks capable of oxidizing PAL, but only one peak was able to metabolize t-4HH. Unlike cytosol, mitochondria produced biphasic Lineweaver-Burk plots for t-4HH with two estimated Kms of 52 microM and 0.2 mM. The majority of activity for the oxidation of t-4HH, like PAL, was localized in the cytosolic fraction. This study indicates that ALDH(s) may play an important role in the detoxification of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid metabolite t-4HH, as well as other 4-hydroxyalkenals that arise from membrane lipid peroxidation.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1986

Formation of cyclic adducts of deoxyguanosine with the aldehydes trans-4-hydroxy-2-hexenal and trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in vitro.

trans-4-Hydroxy-2-hexenal (t-4HH), a reactive metabolite isolated from the pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine, and trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (t-4HN), a product of lipid peroxidation, reacted nonenzymatically with deoxyguanosine at pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C in vitro with each compound yielding two pairs of diastereomeric adducts. Adducts were isolated using reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography and were characterized by their mass spectra and proton magnetic resonance spectra. Adducts 1 and 2 from t-4HH were assigned the structures 3-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-8R-hydroxy- 6S[1- (R and S)hydroxypropyl]pyramido[1,2-a]purine-10-(3H)one and Adducts 3 and 4 were assigned the structures 3-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-8S-hydroxy- 6R-[1- (R and S)hydroxypropyl]pyramido[1,2-a]purine-10-(3H)one. Similar 6-hydroxyhexyl adducts were isolated in the reaction of deoxyguanosine with t-4HN. The reactions appear to involve Michael additions of the N2 amino group of deoxyguanosine followed by cyclization at the 1-N site. This reaction mechanism is similar to that reported for deoxyguanosine adduct formation with the nonhydroxylated alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes crotonaldehyde and acrolein. Total adduct formations following 16-h incubations were 0.91% for t-4HH and 0.85% for t-4HN. These results demonstrate that t-4HH and t-4HN possess the ability to alkylate deoxyguanosine in vitro and suggest possible mechanisms for 4-hydroxyalkenal and pyrrolizidine alkaloid genotoxicity.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1985

trans-4-Hydroxy-2-hexenal: a reactive metabolite from the macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine.

The toxicity of macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the livers of man and animals has been attributed to the formation of reactive pyrroles from dihydropyrrolizines. Now a novel metabolite, trans-4-hydroxy-2-hexenal, has been isolated from the macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine, in an in vitro hepatic microsomal system. Other alkenals such as trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal have previously been isolated from microsomal systems when treated with halogenated hydrocarbons or subjected to lipid peroxidation. The in vivo pathology caused by trans-4-hydroxy-2-hexenal appears to be identical to that previously attributed to reactive pyrroles. There are similarities between the toxic effects of this alkenal and those of centrilobular hepatotoxins such as CCl4 and other alkenals formed during lipid peroxidation.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1985

In vivo covalent binding of trans-4-hydroxy-2-hexenal to rat liver macromolecules.

Trans-4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (t-4HH), a metabolite isolated from the macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine, was tritiated to perform in vivo covalent binding studies. The in vivo binding of [3H]t-4HH to rat liver DNA, RNA and protein was investigated. No significant binding to hepatic DNA or RNA could be detected, but levels of 429 +/- 139 pmol/mg were found covalently bound to hepatic proteins 16 h after exposure. Levels as high as 916 pmol/mg protein were detected 2 h after administration of [3H]t-4HH via the hepatic portal.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1978

Identification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Senecio longilobus).

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids derived from Senecio longilobus have been rapidly isolated and identified. The potential of isolating individual pyrrolizidine alkaloids utilizing high pressure liquid chromatography is discussed. The utilization of a single 10 mu CN column to isolate closely related pyrrolizidine alkaloids suggests a marked improvement in pyrrolizidine alkaloid chemistry.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of cellular calcium homeostasis in toxic liver injury induced by the pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine and the alkenal trans-4-OH-2-hexenal.

The pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine has been shown to be hepatotoxic, genotoxic, and cytotoxic. However, the biochemical mechanism by which senecionine produces hepatocellular toxicity remains to be elucidated. The role of calcium homeostasis in toxic liver injury was examined in isolated rat hepatocytes treated with senecionine and trans-4-OH-2-hexenal (t-4HH), a microsomal metabolite of senecionine, and appropriate cofactors. Hepatocytes treated with senecionine and t-4HH demonstrated greater cytotoxicity (leakage of lactate dehydrogenase) when incubated in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ than in its presence. Both compounds elicited an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ levels of isolated hepatocytes in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. In the following study, senecionine and t-4HH depleted intracellular glutathione levels and induced lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity in isolated hepatocytes. Pretreatment with the thiol-group reducing agent dithiothreitol prevented depletion of intracellular glutathione and protected hepatocytes against senecionine and t-4HH-induced lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity. Both compounds also depleted intracellular ATP and NADPH levels. These results suggest that hepatotoxicity induced by senecionine and t-4HH is not dependent on the influx of extracellular Ca2+; however, alterations in intracellular Ca2+, possibly associated with depletion of intracellular glutathione, NADPH, and ATP, may play a critical role.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids senecionine, retrorsine and seneciphylline on aminopyrine N-demethylase activity on the rat liver S-10 fraction.

The effects of individual pyrrolizidine alkaloids on the mixed-function oxidase (MFO) enzyme aminopyrine N-demethylase were determined in rat liver 10 000 X g supernatant. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids, senecionine, seneciphylline and retrorsine were obtained from Senecio vulgaris. Senecionine and seneciphylline were found to be linear mixed-type inhibitors while retrorsine was found to be a competitive inhibitor of aminopyrine N-demethylase. The average Ki's +/- S.E. for senecionine, seneciphylline and retrorsine were 0.18 +/- 0.02, 0.33 +/- 0.06 and 0.92 +/- 0.05 mM, respectively.

Aminopyrine N-Demethylase↗