Caffeine on alkaline hydrolysis produces caffeidine [1-methyl-4-(methylamino)-5-(N-methylcarbamoyl)imidazole] and caffeidine acid [N-[4-(5-carboxy-1-methylimidazolyl)]-N,N'-dimethylurea]. We now report the synthesis and chemical characterization of mononitrosocaffeidine [1-methyl-4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosoamino)-5-(N-methylcarbamoyl)i midazole], dinitroso-caffeidine [1-methyl-4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosoamino)-5-(N-methyl-N-nitrosocarb amo yl) imidazole], and mononitrosamidocaffeidine [1-methyl-4-(methylamino)-5-(N-methyl-N-nitrosocarbamoyl)-Imidazole] based on spectral analysis. The characterization of nitrosated byproducts obtained during the synthesis of these compounds is also presented. Caffeidine is shown to undergo rapid nitrosation in acidic medium to form mononitrosocaffeidine (MNC), an asymmetric N-nitrosamine, and dinitrosocaffeidine (DNC), a N-nitrosamide. Although the reaction proceeds with preferential nitrosation of the amino group in caffeidine, the results also support partial involvement of a mononitrosamide intermediate in the formation of MNC and DNC through transnitrosation of the amino group. The stability data suggest that the nitroso group at the amino nitrogen in DNC influences the reactivity of amide nitroso group. The presence of a trisubstituted ureide moiety in caffeidine acid has been confirmed by NMR nuclear Overhauser effect experiments. Nitrosation of caffeidine acid under acidic conditions produced N,N'-dimethylparabanic acid (DMPA, N,N'-dimethylimidazolidinetrione) as a major product with low amounts of mononitrosocaffeidine and N,N'-dimethyl-N-nitrosourea, whereas nitrosation with NOBF4/pyridine in aprotic medium gave rise to an anhydride, 1,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-5,7-dioxo-1H,7H-imidazo[4,5-d][1,3]oxazine. The nitrosation of methyl ester of caffeidine acid resulted in the formation of a N-nitrosourea derivative, N-[4-(5-carboxy-1-methylimidazolyl)]-N'-nitroso-N,N'-dimethylurea. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Caffeine↗

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Visual inspection with acetic acid and cytology in the early detection of cervical neoplasia in Kolkata, India.

Visual inspection of the cervix after application of 3-5% acetic acid (VIA) is a potential alternative to cytology for screening in low-resource countries. The present study evaluated the performance of VIA, magnified visual inspection after application of acetic acid (VIAM), and cytology in the detection of high-grade cervical cancer precursor lesions in Kolkata (Calcutta) and suburbs in eastern India. Trained health workers with college education concurrently screened 5881 women aged 30-64 years with VIA, VIAM, and conventional cervical cytology. Detection of well-defined, opaque acetowhite lesions close to the squamocolumnar junction; well-defined, circumorificial acetowhite lesions; or dense acetowhitening of ulceroproliferative growth on the cervix constituted a positive VIA or VIAM. Cytology was considered positive if reported as mild dysplasia or worse lesions. All screened women (N = 5881) were evaluated by colposcopy, and biopsies were directed in those with colposcopic abnormalities (N = 1052, 17.9%). The final diagnosis was based on histology (if biopsies had been taken) or colposcopic findings, which allowed direct estimation of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Moderate or severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ (CIN 2-3 disease) was considered as true positive disease for the calculation of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of screening tests. 18.7%, 17.7% and 8.2% of the women tested positive for VIA, VIAM, and cytology. One hundred twenty two women had a final diagnosis of CIN 2-3 lesions. The sensitivities of VIA and VIAM to detect CIN 2-3 lesions were 55.7% and 60.7%, respectively; the specificities were 82.1% and 83.2%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology were 29.5% and 92.3%, respectively. All the tests were associated with negative predictive values above 98%. VIA and VIAM had significantly higher sensitivity than cytology in our study; the specificity of cytology was higher than that of VIA and VIAM.

Acetic Acid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Modulation of arsenic induced cytotoxicity by tea.

Arsenic, a naturally ocurring chemical element, is considered hazardous to human health. Inorganic arsenic compounds were found to induce cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster V-79 cells in culture. The arsenite form was more toxic than arsenate. Extracts of green and two varieties of black tea, as well as their principal polyphenols, (-)-epigallocatechingallate and theaflavin, efficiently counteracted the cytotoxic effects of arsenic compounds. On the basis of the amount of tea extract that afforded 50% protection to the cells from arsenic induced cytotoxicity, black tea was found to be as effective as green tea. The protective effect was attributable to the contents of not only (-)-epigallocatechingallate but also of theaflavin, the latter being a predominant polyphenol present in black tea.

Animals↗