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Biomedical subjects

S Scalia

Publications and source records attributed to S Scalia.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Analysis of conjugated bile acids by packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography.

A rapid method has been developed for the simultaneous separation of the polar glycine- and taurine-conjugated bile acids by packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography. Samples were analysed on a cyanopropyl-bonded silica column with ultraviolet detection at 210 nm and carbon dioxide modified with methanol as the mobile phase. The influence of the stationary phase, modifier concentration, temperature, column pressure and modifier identity on retention was also studied. This new chromatographic method is applicable to the assay of conjugated bile acids in duodenal bile samples from patients with hepatobiliary diseases.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Decreased mesenteric blood flow in experimental multiple organ failure.

Disorders of mucosal blood flow may contribute to gut barrier dysfunction in multiple organ failure (MOF). We evaluated alterations of mesenteric microcirculation in a rat model of MOF. Male Wistar rats received 1 mg/g body weight of zymosan A in 4 ml of mineral oil by intraperitoneal injection and were studied on Days 1, 3, and 5 following injection. A control group received no zymosan. The experimental group also received a fluid resuscitation regimen of 0.9 N saline subcutaneously equal to 0.1 ml/g body weight on the day of zymosan injection and 0.05 ml/g body weight daily thereafter. Day 1 animals tended toward a statistically significantly lower mean arterial pressure versus controls (86.6 +/- 8 mm Hg versus 106 +/- 5 mm Hg, F = 0.09 by ANOVA). Significant arteriolar vasoconstriction occurred on Days 1 and 3 versus control (70 +/- 4 microns and 57 +/- 8 microns versus 96 +/- 3 microns, F = 0.0002). Laser doppler velocity, indicating red blood cell velocity, expressed as a percentage of control paralleled this vasoconstriction (70 +/- 9 and 72 +/- 7%, respectively). We conclude that mesenteric arteriolar vasoconstriction occurs accompanied by decreased red blood velocity. We believe that this is indicative of decreased mesenteric perfusion in this zymosan model of MOF and that survival to Day 5 is associated with a reversal of these microcirculatory changes.

Animals↗

Inhibition of bovine beta-trypsin, human alpha-thrombin and porcine pancreatic beta-kallikrein-B by benzamidine and its bis-, tris- and tetra-derivatives: thermodynamic and molecular modeling study.

The inhibitory effect of bis-, tris- and tetra-benzamidine derivatives (DAPP, TAPB and TAPP, respectively) on the catalytic properties of bovine beta-trypsin (beta-trypsin), human alpha-thrombin (alpha-thrombin) and porcine pancreatic beta-kallikrein-B (beta-kallikrein-B) was investigated (between pH 2.0 and 7.0, I = 0.1 M; T = 37.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C), and analyzed in parallel with that of benzamidine, commonly taken as a molecular inhibitor model of serine proteinases. Over the whole pH range explored, benzamidine, DAPP, TAPB and TAPP, show the same value of the association inhibition constant (Ki, M-1) for beta-trypsin; at variance, the affinity of DAPP, TAPB and TAPP for alpha-thrombin and beta-kallikrein-B is higher than that found for benzamidine association around neutrality, but tends to converge in the acidic pH limb. On lowering the pH from 5.5 to 3.0, the decrease in affinity for benzamidine binding to beta-trypsin, alpha-thrombin and beta-kallikrein-B as well as for DAPP, TAPB and TAPP association to beta-trypsin reflects the acidic-pK shift, upon inhibitor binding, of a single ionizing group. Over the same pH range, values of Ki for DAPP, TAPB and TAPP binding to alpha-thrombin and beta-kallikrein-B appear to be modulated by the acidic-pK shift, upon inhibitor association, of two equivalent proton-binding residues. Considering the X-ray three dimensional structures and the computer-generated molecular models of the serine proteinase inhibitor complexes, the observed binding behaviour of benzamidine, DAPP, TAPB and TAPP to beta-trypsin, alpha-thrombin and beta-kallikrein-B has been related to the inferred stereochemistry of the enzyme:inhibitor contact region(s).

Animals↗

Assay of 1,4-dioxane in commercial cosmetic products by HPLC.

The HPLC assay of 1,4-dioxane in a wide range of commercially available cosmetics containing polyethoxylated surfactants is described. After solid-phase extraction using Bakerbond CN- and Bakerbond C18-cartridges, samples were directly analysed on a LiChrospher CH-8 column with an acetonitrile water eluent and UV detection at 200 nm. Of the total cosmetic products investigated, 48% were found to contain 7.3-85.9 ppm of 1,4-dioxane.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Anticoagulant activity of galactosaminoglucuronoglycan: a pharmacological study.

An investigation was carried out to evaluate possible interference by mucopolysaccharide galactosaminoglucuronoglycans on blood clotting processes. Results obtained have demonstrated, both in vivo and in vitro, that the biopolymer has no influence on the principal blood clotting parameters taken into consideration, as regards both a single administration and treatments repeated for 30 days.

Animals↗

Group separation of free and conjugated bile acids by pre-packed anion-exchange cartridges.

A rapid and simple procedure for the group separation of the major free and conjugated bile acids of man is described. After initial extraction with Bond Elut C18 cartridges, the analytes are fractionated into the unconjugated, glycine- and taurine-conjugated forms using disposable Bond Elut SAX columns and methanol-acetate buffer eluents. The method is found to be accurate and reproducible and to afford complete resolution between fractions. Free and conjugated bile acids present in human bile and gastric juice are assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography, after extraction and group separation according to the described procedure.

Bile↗

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the assay of 1,4-dioxane in sulphated polyoxyethylene alcohol surfactants.

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the assay of 1,4-dioxane in ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulphates. After solid-phase extraction using Bakerbond C18 cartridges, samples were directly analysed on a LiChrospher CH-8 reversed-phase column with UV detection at 200 nm and an acetonitrile-water eluent. Recovery of 1,4-dioxane from the surfactant matrix was 95.7% in the 40 to 120 micrograms g-1 range. The minimum quantifiable amount was 18 micrograms g-1. The procedure is simple, reproducible, specific and suitable for routine analyses of commercial surfactants.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Determination of 1,4-dioxane in cosmetic products by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure has been developed for the assay of 1,4-dioxane in cosmetic products. After solid-phase extraction, using Bond Elut CN and Bond Elut C18 cartridges, samples were analysed directly on a LiChrospher CH-8 reversed-phase column with spectrophotometric detection at 200 nm and acetonitrile - water as eluent. Recovery of 1,4-dioxane from different cosmetic matrices was between 81.5 and 90.1% in the 30-90 microgram g(-1) range. The minimum quantifiable amount was 6.5 microgram g(-1). The method is simple, reproducible and specific and is suitable for routine analyses of commercial cosmetics.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Persistent arteriolar constriction in microcirculation of the terminal ileum following moderate hemorrhagic hypovolemia and volume restoration.

A stable in vivo preparation of moderate hypovolemia with prompt volume restoration was produced in anesthetized rats. The microcirculation of the terminal ileum was observed in vivo videomicroscopy, and changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) as well as arteriolar diameters were recorded after a 30-min period in which the MAP was reduced by 50% by bleeding. Volume was restored with shed blood alone (control); dextran 70 alone (dextran); or dextran + hypertonic (7.5%) saline (dextran + HS). A final group of rats was pretreated with allopurinol 5 mg/kg and then treated identically to the control group to assess the role of the xanthine oxidase system in microcirculation changes following hemorrhage. MAP was restored to normal by return of shed blood in control animals, but inflow arterioles (A1) remained significantly constricted. MAP was significantly higher and A1 arteriolar dilation was observed in the dextran + HS group. Responses in allopurinol-pretreated animals were not different from the responses seen in control animals. We conclude that persistent arteriolar constriction is produced by moderate hypovolemia and this effect is ameliorated by volume restoration with dextran + HS.

Allopurinol↗

An improved purification procedure for conjugated bile acids using octadecyl-bonded silica cartridges.

A rapid procedure for the extraction of conjugated bile acids from human fluids using pre-packed octadecyl-bonded silica cartridges is described. The method was compared with the other procedures reported in the literature and was found to produce a higher degree of sample purification and to achieve satisfactory accuracy and reproducibility. The present procedure is applicable to the high-performance liquid chromatographic assay of bile acid conjugates in human bile, gastric juice, serum and urine.

Bile↗

Controlled proteolysis of mouse epidermal growth factor. An RP-HPLC and 1H-n.m.r. study.

Tryptic digestion of the mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF) and the chromatographic separation of its proteolytic fragments by RP-HPLC affords the isolation of the pure hormone, of its 1-48 (Des(49-53)mEGF) and 1-45 (Des(46-53)mEGF) derivatives, and of the carboxyl-terminal pentapeptide W49-W50-E51-L52-R53. Kinetics of mEGF proteolytic degradation follows a two-state time-course: native mEGF being converted into Des(49-53)mEGF with an apparent half-time of 10 min; and Des(49-53)mEGF subsequently hydrolyzed to Des(46-53)mEGF with an apparent half-time of 7 h. Native mEGF and its proteolytic fragments have been characterized by 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy. In the aromatic and aliphatic regions, the 1H-n.m.r. spectrum proved to be a sufficiently sensitive probe for following controlled proteolysis, and for analyzing the influence of the carboxyl-terminal sequence on the hormone conformation and stability.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Simultaneous determination of free and conjugated bile acids in human gastric juice by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure has been developed for the simultaneous assay of the major free bile acids and the corresponding glycine and taurine conjugates in man. No preliminary fractionation into the free, glyco- and tauro-conjugated forms was required. An Ultrasphere ODS column with UV detection at 210 nm and methanol-acetate buffer gradient elution were used. The retention volume of the conjugates was dependent on the sodium acetate concentration in the mobile phase. The method is applicable to the quantification of intragastric bile acids with satisfactory sensitivity, selectivity and precision. Unconjugated and conjugated bile acids present in the gastric juice of patients with bile reflux gastritis were determined directly after Sep-Pak C18 cartridge purification.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Inhibition of serine proteinases by tetra-p-amidinophenoxy-neo-pentane: thermodynamic and molecular modeling study.

The inhibitory effect of the aromatic tetra-benzamidine derivative tetra-p-amidinophenoxy-neo-pentane (TAPP) on the catalytic properties of beta-trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4), alpha-thrombin (EC 3.4.21.5), factor Xa (EC 3.4.21.6), Lys77-plasmin (EC 3.4.21.7) and beta-kallikrein-B (EC 3.4.21.35) was investigated (between pH 2 and 8, I = 0.1 M; T = 37 +/- 0.5 degrees C), and analyzed in parallel with that of benzamidine, commonly taken as a molecular inhibitor model of serine proteinases. Over the whole pH range explored, TAPP and benzamidine show the same values of the dissociation inhibition constant (Ki) for beta-trypsin; at variance with the affinity of TAPP for alpha-thrombin, factor Xa, Lys77-plasmin and beta-kallikrein-B which is higher than that found for benzamidine association around neutrality, but tends to converge in the acidic pH limb. On lowering the pH from 5.5 to 3.0, values of Ki for TAPP binding to beta-trypsin as well as for benzamidine association to all the enzymes investigated decreased thus reflecting the pK-shift, upon inhibitor binding, of a single ionizing group. Over the same pH range, values of Ki for TAPP binding to alpha-thrombin, factor Xa, Lys77-plasmin and beta-kallikrein-B may be described as depending on the pK-shift, upon inhibitor association, of two equivalent proton-binding amino acid residues. Considering the X-ray three-dimensional structures and the computer-generated molecular models of serine proteinases: TAPP and :benzamidine adducts, the observed binding behaviour of TAPP and benzamidine to the enzymes considered has been related to the inferred stereochemistry of proteinase: inhibitor contact region(s).

Amidines↗

Proton NMR and photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization studies of peptide fragments obtained by controlled proteolysis of mouse epidermal growth factor.

Controlled proteolysis of epidermal growth factor from the mouse leads to fragments of mouse epidermal growth factor containing residues 1-48 and 1-45. The COOH-terminal pentapeptide appears to play a crucial role in determining the hydrophobic interactions between the hormone and the stationary phase during gel chromatography on TSK-125 gel. Proton NMR studies indicate that the overall structure of mouse epidermal growth factor is retained in the protein devoid of the COOH-terminal pentapeptide, while subsequent cleavage of the peptide bond between Arg-45 and Asp-46 starts to perturb the proton resonances most characteristic of the tertiary structure of the hormone, especially those from the aromatic ring protons of Tyr-37. Consequently, photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization experiments show an increased exposure of Tyr-37 in the fragment of mouse epidermal growth factor containing residues 1-48. Nuclear Overhauser data suggest that structural changes do occur on fragmentation but seem to be localized in the tiered-beta-sheet domain which contains Tyr-37.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gabexate mesylate inhibition of serine proteases: thermodynamic and computer-graphics analysis.

The inhibitory effect of gabexate mesylate, which is used therapeutically in the treatment of pancreatitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation, and as a regional anticoagulant agent for hemodialysis, has been measured on bovine factor Xa, bovine alpha-thrombin, human Lys77-plasmin, human urinary kallikrein, human urokinase, porcine pancreatic beta-kallikrein-B, and bovine beta-trypsin catalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl esters of N-alpha-carbobenzoxy-L-arginine and N-alpha-carbobenzoxy-L-lysine. On the basis of enzyme:gabexate mesylate affinities, the serine proteases can be arranged as follows: human urinary kallikrein approximately porcine pancreatic beta-kallikrein-B much less than bovine beta-trypsin approximately bovine factor Xa approximately human Lys77-plasmin approximately human urokinase approximately bovine alpha-thrombin. The mode of binding of gabexate mesylate to the serine proteases conforms to the active-reactive site geometries observed in their complexes with natural and synthetic inhibitors. Differences in gabexate mesylate affinities for these proteases reflect structural differences at their primary specificity subsite, which have been investigated by comparative analysis of amino acid sequences and by computer-graphics techniques.

Animals↗

Guanidinophenyl derivatives of pyrazole: synthesis and inhibitory effect on serine proteinases, blood coagulation and platelet aggregation.

Guanidinophenyl derivatives of pyrazole have been synthesized. Their inhibitory effects on (i) bovine trypsin, bovine thrombin, porcine pancreatic kallikrein catalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitro anilide of N alpha -benzoyl-arginine and (ii) blood coagulation and platelet aggregation, were investigated. The kinetic behaviour of all compounds conformed to that of a reversible competitive inhibition pattern, and they were also found to act in vitro as inhibitors of platelet aggregation induced by ADP.

Animals↗

Ethyl esters of N-(3- and N-(4-amidinobenzoyl)(-L-)amino acids: synthesis and antiproteolytic activity towards bovine trypsin and porcine pancreatic kallikrein.

Ethyl esters of N-(3- and N-(4-amidinobenzoyl)(-L-)amino acids (namely, glycine, alanine, valine, leucine and phenylalanine) were synthesized and their inhibitory effect on the bovine trypsin and porcine pancreatic kallikrein catalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitroanilides of amino acids was investigated, at pH 8.1 and 37 degrees, in parallel with the effect of ethyl and/or methyl esters of N-benzoyl(-L-)amino acids and benzamidine. For both proteinases, the inhibitory effect of ethyl esters of N-(3- and N-(4-amidinobenzoyl)(-L-)amino acids is independent of the aminoacidic side chain, is closely similar to that of benzamidine (which binds at the S1 subsite of the proteinases examined and is commonly taken as a molecular inhibitor-model), and is higher by at least 10-fold than that of ethyl and/or methyl esters of N-benzoyl(-L-)amino acids (depending on the aminoacidic residue). On structural grounds, the peculiar inhibitory behaviour of ethyl esters of N-(3- and N-(4-amidinobenzoyl)(-L-)amino acids has been related to the interaction of the positively charged substituent at the N-position with the Asp189 residue present in the primary specificity subsite (S1) of bovine trypsin and porcine pancreatic kallikrein. The consistently lower affinity for porcine pancreatic kallikrein of all the inhibitors considered, as compared to bovine trypsin, may be related to the marked structural differences of the primary specificity subsite of these two serine proteinases.

Amidines↗