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H M Swartz

Publications and source records attributed to H M Swartz.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Binding of iron to neuromelanin of human substantia nigra and synthetic melanin: an electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

The binding of iron by melanin is a potentially important phenomenon as detailed knowledge of this binding is essential for understanding the role of melanin and iron in the pathogenesis of oxidative damage in the substantia nigra. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy is one of the most useful approaches in the investigation of melanins and their interaction with iron. This study was undertaken to obtain systematic data on the effects of ferric iron on the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of neuromelanin and synthetic models of neuromelanin. Data from the latter can potentially be used to infer as to the state of neuromelanin in the human substantia nigra. The results of this study indicate that the spectra at g = 4.3, attributable to Fe3+, provides a useful parameter for determining the amount of paramagnetic iron bound to melanin. These data together with the magnitude of the free radical signal from melanin provides an indication of the amount of iron bound to neuromelanin in intact human substantia nigra. After binding to melanin, the iron can change its location and/or state, which is indicated by the change in the microwave power saturation that occurs gradually after the binding of the iron. At least part of this process could occur at low temperatures (i.e., during storage at -15 degrees C).

Adult↗

Noninvasive in vivo monitoring of drug release and polymer erosion from biodegradable polymers by EPR spectroscopy and NMR imaging.

Biodegradable polymers have attracted much attention as implantable drug delivery systems. Uncertainty in extrapolating in vitro results to in vivo systems due to the difficulties of appropriate characterization in vivo, however, is a significant issue in the development of these systems. To circumvent this limitation, noninvasive magnetic resonance techniques, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were applied to characterize drug release and polymer degradation in vitro and in vivo. MRI makes it possible to monitor water content, tablet shape, and response of the biological system such as edema and encapsulation. The results of the MRI experiments give the first direct proof in vivo of postulated mechanisms of polymer erosion. Using nitroxide radicals as model drug releasing compounds, information on the mechanism of drug release and microviscosity inside the implant can be obtained by means of 1.2 GHz EPR spectroscopy. To be able to attribute nitroxide mobility to a particular layer of the implant, sandwich-like tablets were manufactured, taking advantage of the distinct spectral features of nitroxides containing different isotopes of nitrogen (15N vs 14N). The use of both noninvasive methods to monitor processes in vivo leads to new insights in understanding the mechanisms of drug release and polymer degradation.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

In vitro/in vivo comparison of drug release and polymer erosion from biodegradable P(FAD-SA) polyanhydrides--a noninvasive approach by the combined use of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare drug release and polymer erosion from biodegradable P(FAD-SA) polyanhydrides in vitro and in vivo in real time and with minimal disturbance of the investigated system. METHODS: P(FAD-SA) 20:80 and P(FAD-SA) 50:50 polymer tablets were loaded with the spin probe 3-carboxy-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-pyrrollidine-1-oxyl (PCA) and implanted subcutaneously in the neck of rats or placed in 0.1 M phosphate buffer. 1.1 GHz EPR spectroscopy experiments and 7T MRI studies (T1 and T2 weighted) were performed. RESULTS: A front of water penetration was visible by MRI in vitro in the case of P(FAD-SA) 20:80, but not for P(FAD-SA) 50:50. For both polymers, the thickness of the tablets decreased with time and a insoluble, easy deformable residue remained. Important processes such as edema, deformation of the implant, encapsulation and bioresorption were observable by MRI in vivo. P(FAD-SA) 50:50 was almost entirely absorbed by day 44, whereas an encapsulated residue was found for P(FAD-SA) 20:80 after 65 days. The EPR studies gave direct evidence of a water penetration induced changes of the microenvironment inside the tablet. EPR signals were still detectable in P(FAD-SA) 20:80 implants after 65 days, while the nitroxide was released in vitro within 16 days. CONCLUSIONS: Important parameters and processes such as edema, deformation of the tablet, microviscosity inside the tablet and encapsulation can be monitored in real time by the combined use of the noninvasive techniques MRI and EPR leading to better understanding of the differences between the in vitro and in vivo situation.

Animals↗

The relationship between partial pressure of oxygen and perfusion in two murine tumors after X-ray irradiation: a combined gadopentetate dimeglumine dynamic magnetic resonance imaging and in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry study.

Changes of partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) and blood perfusion were studied in MTG-B and RIF-1 tumors (n = 5 each) before and after a single 20-Gy dose of X-ray irradiation. Using electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry, we have observed an initial fast decrease of pO2 after irradiation, followed by a slow increase. The time course of these changes was faster in the MTG-B tumors than in the RIF-1 tumors. Gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) dynamic magnetic resonance imaging studies showed a reduction in uptake of Gd-DTPA at the time of minimum pO2 and a recovery at the time of maximum pO2 in each tumor. Previous work indicates that there is microscopic heterogeneity in tumors, with well-vascularized "capillary regions" being closer to capillaries than poorly vascularized "noncapillary regions." We propose a two-component (slow and fast) model of Gd-DTPA uptake that is designed to quantify the kinetics of these two compartments by analyzing the total tumor uptake kinetics without having to identify specific regions of interest. Total perfusion in the tumors was greatly reduced at the time of minimum oxygenation, and the volume of the slow component increased after irradiation. We conclude that a decrease in blood perfusion is one of the main causes of the decline in pO2 observed after irradiation.

Animals↗

Detection of free radical metabolite formation using in vivo EPR spectroscopy: evidence of rat hemoglobin thiyl radical formation following administration of phenylhydrazine.

The spin-trapping technique in conjunction with a low-frequency electron paramagnetic (or spin) resonance (EPR or ESR) spectrometer was used to detect the hemoglobin thiyl free radical in living rats using a whole body resonator. The hemoglobin thiyl free radical was formed following the intragastric administration of phenylhydrazine at the LD50 dose of 188 mg/kg. The hemoglobin thiyl free radical was then trapped by preinjected 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), which formed the DMPO/hemoglobin thiyl-free radical adduct in the blood. The time course of the in vivo formation and disappearance of the spin adduct was followed. The DMPO/hemoglobin thiyl free radical was detected in blood samples using 9.5 GHz (X-band) and 1.1 GHz (L-band) EPR at room temperature and 77 K. Pretreatment of rats with ascorbate and diethylmaleate (DEM) decreased the signal intensity of the DMPO/hemoglobin thiyl free radical spin adduct. The incubation of ascorbate or DEM at 37 degrees C with rat blood containing preformed DMPO/hemoglobin thiyl radical adduct showed that there was no effect of DEM on the free radical concentration, while ascorbate reduced the radical adduct. This study provided direct evidence of the formation of the DMPO/hemoglobin thiyl free radical in vivo and enabled us to study this formation in living animals free of any artifacts that can occur when using ex vivo methods.

Animals↗

Evidence for the dissociation of the hepatobiliary MRI contrast agent Mn-DPDP.

These experiments assessed and quantitated the release of free manganese Mn++ from the hepatobiliary contrast agent Mn-DPDP (manganese dipyridoxal diphosphate), using several magnetic resonance techniques (EPR spectroscopy, 31P-NMR spectroscopy, and relaxometry) to differentiate between free Mn++ and Mn++ in complexes in various preparations. The presence of calcium and magnesium in physiological concentrations in aqueous solutions induced the release of Mn++ from the complex, as did incubation of the complex in liver homogenates. After intravenous injection of 15 mumol/kg of Mn-DPDP, both EPR and 31P-NMR spectroscopy demonstrated that Mn-DPDP is partly dissociated (approximately 25%) in the liver. By comparing in vitro and ex vivo data from the liver, we concluded that the dissociation of Mn-DPDP occurs primarily in the liver, whereas a minor portion of the dissociated. Mn found in the liver comes from dissociation of the complex in the blood. Most of the dissociated Mn in liver becomes bound to macromolecules and is responsible for the enhancement of relaxivity observed with this agent.

Animals↗

Use of nitroxides for assessing perfusion, oxygenation, and viability of tissues: in vivo EPR and MRI studies.

Relative perfusion, pO2, and bioreduction were measured simultaneously in vivo in tissues in mice by following changes in the intensity and shape of the EPR spectra of nitroxides injected directly into the tissues, using low frequency (1.1 GHz) localized EPR spectroscopy. Using normal and blood flow restricted gastrocnemius muscles it was shown that the decrease of the EPR signals of the nitroxides in tissues was due principally to perfusion, which redistributed the nitroxides. Changes in pO2 were reflected by changes of the linewidth; only a perdeuterated nitroxide with a narrow line was an adequate indicator for this parameter. This technique was applied experimental murine tumors (MTG-B and RIF-1) to determine the perfusion and pO2 in these relatively hypoxic model tumor systems. Using the paramagnetic properties of the nitroxides to enhance T1-weighted MR images, heterogeneity in perfusion in individual tumors was demonstrated

Animals↗

Effect of repetitive ischemia on myocardial oxygen tension in isolated perfused and hypoperfused rat hearts.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of repetitive ischemia on myocardial oxygen tension (pO2), consumption, and delivery in crystalloid normoperfused (perfusion pressure>70 mmHg) and hypoperfused (perfusion pressure approximately 50 mmHg) constant flow isolated rat hearts. EPR oximetry with lithium phthalocyanine was used to measure myocardial pO2. Baseline myocardial pO2 (means +/- SE) was 185 +/- 13 mmHg (normoperfused) and 162 +/- 14 mmHg (hypoperfused). Myocardial pO2 fell to < 1 mmHg during no-flow ischemia. After recovery from repetitive ischemia, myocardial pO2 and coronary resistance increased significantly in all hearts; oxygen consumption and left ventricle work decreased in normoperfused hearts, although not significantly compared with controls, and did not change significantly in hypoperfused hearts. Increased myocardial pO2 in the normoperfused group may be due to decreased oxygen consumption and/or increased local delivery, while increased myocardial pO2 in the hypoperfused hearts is due to increased local oxygen delivery.

Animals↗

Noninvasive measurement of the pH inside the gut by using pH-sensitive nitroxides. An in vivo EPR study.

The use of pH-sensitive probes permits the measurement of the proton activity in biological systems by EPR spectroscopy. To illustrate the potential of this technique for in vivo purposes, the authors took advantage of the oral administration of nitroxides to monitor the pH value inside the stomach of mice after administration of different antacidics. The results indicate that EPR can be a valuable tool to characterize the pH in vivo in a continuous and noninvasive way.

Animals↗

Development of biocompatible implants of fusinite for in vivo EPR oximetry.

The development of oxygen-sensitive paramagnetic materials is being actively pursued because of their potential applications for in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry. Among these materials, fusinite is of particular interest because of the high sensitivity of the EPR linewidth to the partial pressure pO2. Although this material has led to a number of very useful results in experimental systems, its potential use in humans is limited by the need to prove that it will not cause deleterious effects. The strategy used in this study to optimize the biocompatibility of the oxygen-sensitive materials was to prepare small silicon implants containing the fusinite. The use of silicon permits the diffusion of oxygen inside the implant while the material does not have contact with the biological environment. Radiosterilization did not affect the pO2 sensitivity of the material. The feasibility of performing pO2 measurement was verified in vivo by periodically inducing ischemia in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice over a period of 6 weeks.

Animals↗

Non-invasive in vivo characterization of release processes in biodegradable polymers by low-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Using stable free radicals (nitroxides) whose spectra reflect microviscosity and pH, low-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to characterize the release pattern of subcutaneous implants of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) continuously and non-invasively in living mice. No significant changes occurred during the first days after implantation. After about 1 week, the recorded EPR spectra gave direct evidence for the formation of compartments with high mobility and increasing acidity in the delivery system. The contribution of the mobile part of the spectrum increased with time, but no remarkable decay of the overall signal intensity was observed during the second week. The EPR signals decayed rapidly after 3 weeks. The experimental data are consistent with bulk hydrolysis as the dominating mechanism of release and are not consistent with a surface-controlled pattern of degradation. The formation of acidic compartments in the delivery system may have significant effects on drug stability, drug solubility, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and ultimately on therapeutic efficiency. In particular, the finding of areas of low pH within the polymer raise the possibility that hydrolysable drugs may undergo degradation in the implant prior to their release. Our results demonstrate that EPR is a valuable tool for characterizing such drug delivery systems in vivo.

Animals↗

Interaction of neuromelanin and iron in substantia nigra and other areas of human brain.

Nine areas of the brain were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to measure paramagnetic metal ions, free radicals (neuromelanin), and total metal content. We also determined the extent of accumulation of metal ions by melanins incubated in homogenates of a region of the brain (putamen). The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of metal ions varied considerably among areas of the brain. There was no correlation between total content of particular metal ions (iron was especially pertinent) and the observed electron paramagnetic resonance spectra, except that the substantia nigra appeared more consistently to have a prominent g = 4 electron paramagnetic resonance signal characteristic of ferric iron in a rhombic state. Only the substantia nigra, and to a lesser extent the locus coeruleus, had a free radical signal consistent with that of neuromelanin. This signal was much more prominent in the unprocessed substantia nigra but when metal ions were removed (reducing the amount of suppression of the electron paramagnetic resonance signal of neuromelanin due to dipole-dipole broadening from nearby metal ions), the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of neuromelanin of the locus coeruleus increased much more than that of the substantia nigra. This suggests that the structure of the pigment may differ in these two regions. Incubating synthetic melanins with homogenates of putamen resulted in accumulation of metal ions on the melanins with the concentrations of the three metal ions, relative to their values in the putamen, increasing by factors of 20-30, 3-4, and 25-30, for iron, copper, and zinc, respectively. This suggests that the metal content of isolated neuromelanin may include metal ions which became bound to the neuromelanin during the isolation procedure.

Aged↗

Endotoxin-induced changes in intrarenal pO2, measured by in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry and magnetic resonance imaging.

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) oximetry was used to measure tissue oxygen tension (pO2-partial pressure of oxygen) simultaneously in the kidney cortex and outer medulla in vivo in mice. pO2 in the cortex region was higher compared to that in the outer medulla. An intravenous injection of endotoxin resulted in a sharp drop in pO2 in the cortex and an increase in the medulla region, resulting in a transient period of equal pO2 in both regions. In control kidneys, functional Magnetic Resonance (MR) images showed the cortex region to have high signal intensity (T2*-weighted images), indicating that this region was well supplied with oxygenated hemoglobin, whereas the outer medulla showed low signal intensity. After administration of endotoxin, we observed an immediate increase in signal intensity in the outer medulla region, reflecting an increased level of oxygenated blood in this region. Pretreatment of mice with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine prevented both the changes in tissue pO2 and distribution of oxygenated hemoglobin, suggesting that localized production of nitric oxide has a critical role to play in renal medullary hemodynamics. In combining in vivo EPR with MR images of kidneys, we demonstrate the usefulness of these techniques for monitoring renal pO2 and changes in the distribution of oxygen.

Animals↗

The measurement of temperature with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique, potentially suitable for in vivo temperature measurements, has been developed based on the temperature response of nitroxide stable free radicals. The response has been substantially enhanced by encapsulating the nitroxide in a medium of a fatty acid mixture inside a proteinaceous microsphere. The mixture underwent a phase transition in the temperature range required by the application. The phase change dramatically altered the shape of the EPR spectrum, providing a highly temperature sensitive signal. Using the nitroxide dissolved in a cholesterol and a long-chain fatty acid ester, we developed a mixture which provides a peakheight ratio change from 3.32 to 2.11, with a standard deviation of 0.04, for a temperature change typical in biological and medical applications, from 38 to 48 degrees C. This translated to an average temperature resolution of 0.2 degree C for our experimental system. The average diameter of the nitroxide mixture-filled microspheres was approximately 2 microns. Therefore, they are compatible with in vivo studies where the microspheres could be injected into the microvasculature having a minimum vessel diameter of the order of 8 microns. This temperature measuring method has various potential clinical applications, especially in monitoring and optimizing the treatment of cancer with hyperthermia. However, several problems regarding temperature and spatial resolution need to be resolved before this technique can be successfully used to monitor temperatures in vivo.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Measurement of PO2 in liver using EPR oximetry.

With the use of India ink and lithium phthalocyanine (LiPc) as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry probes, the PO2 of the liver was investigated in mice. Because India ink was taken up by the Kupffer cells of the liver, the EPR signal of the India ink reflected the average PO2 in phagocytic vesicles of these cells. The mean value of PO2 in the Kupffer cells measured by India ink was 15.3 +/- 4.4 Torr in unanesthetized animals. LiPc was administered as a macroscopic crystal and therefore reflected the PO2 of the overall liver. The PO2 measured by LiPc was 23.4 +/- 4.4 Torr, which is consistent with the median value of 23.5 Torr reported previously with the use of an oxygen electrode. Anesthesia (injection of 60 mg/kg ip pentobarbital sodium) decreased the average PO2 in both Kupffer cells and the overall liver. The effects of perturbing the blood flow were studied by reversible blockage of the portal vein and hepatic artery in anesthetized mice; the PO2 in both Kupffer cells (measured with India ink) and in overall liver (measured with LiPc) decreased with obstruction of the blood flow and returned toward normal with reperfusion. These results indicate that the PO2 in different locations in the liver can be significantly different under both normal conditions and after perturbation by either anesthesia or ischemia. These results also demonstrate that EPR oximetry can provide sensitive measurements of PO2 in the liver in vivo under various conditions.

Anesthesia↗

Chromate-induced chromium(V) formation in live mice and its control by cellular antioxidants: an L-band electron paramagnetic resonance study.

A recent note from our laboratory reported that L-band (1.2 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy can be utilized in detecting the formation of Cr(V) intermediates from chromate-treated whole mice. Since Cr(V) is thought to be one of the key species in the mechanism of chromate's toxicity, we carried out additional measurements with improved sensitivity. The new spectra show partially resolved hyperfine structure from protons that suggests that the Cr(V) ion is ligated to NAD(P)H moieties via oxygens. Using laboratory-synthesized Cr(V) (K3CrO8) as a standard, the yield of Cr(V) formation was estimated to be 153 +/- 12 nmol after intravenous injection of 100 microliters of 100 mM sodium dichromate into mice. Pretreatment of the mice with ascorbic acid and glutathione significantly reduced the Cr(V) formation yield in a dose-related manner, while pretreatment with NADH had the opposite effect. Injection of ascorbic acid also had the effect of enhancing the rate of Cr(V) disappearance in vivo. By comparing these results with in vitro results utilizing L-band as well as X-band (9.6 GHz) measurements, we conclude that L-band spectroscopy can indeed be effectively utilized for following the metabolism of Cr(V) in live mice and that Cr(V) formation can be controlled by utilizing cellular antioxidants in vivo.

Animals↗