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Biomedical subjects

T R Tephly

Publications and source records attributed to T R Tephly.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Inhibition of protohaem ferro-lyase in experimental porphyria. Isolation and partial characterization of a modified porphyrin inhibitor.

1. A modified porphyrin with inhibitory activity towards protohaem ferro-lyase was purified from the livers of mice treated with 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine, and partially characterized. 2. The inhibitor can be labelled by 5-amino[4-14C]-laevulinate, suggesting that it originates from pre-labelled liver haem. No radioactivity from 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro[2,6-14C]collidine can be recovered bound to the purified abnormal porphyrin when the radioactive drug is used to induce its formation. 3. Similar modified porphyrins isolated from the livers of animals treated with 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide, secobarbitone or 1-ethynylcyclohexanol did not exhibit inhibitory activity toward protohaem ferro-lyase. 4. The inhibition of protohaem ferro-lyase was progressive, could be slowed down by cooling and partially prevented by preincubating the enzyme with the porphyrin substrate. Once established, inhibition could not be reversed by addition of the substrate 5. These results suggest that the modified porphyrin irreversibly inhibits protohaem ferro-lyase and may be used as a sensitive and selective reagent to titrate the number of active centres of the enzyme.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The role of folates in methanol toxicity.

In the monkey and human, methanol toxicity is characterized by a metabolic acidosis and an ocular toxicity which occur coincident with an accumulation of formate in blood. In contrast, methanol insensitive species such as the rat do not accumulate formate after methanol administration. Folate-dependent reactions are involved in the oxidation of formate to CO2 in both the rat and the monkey. Monkey liver contains a significantly lower hepatic folate level than does rat liver and, thus, formate accumulation in the monkey may be related to a functional folate deficiency in this species. Formate metabolism in the monkey can be stimulated with folate administration. After methanol administration, treatment of monkeys with repetitive doses of either 5-formyltetrahydrofolic acid or folic acid results in a marked decrease in blood formate accumulation, an absence of metabolic acidosis and no blood bicarbonate depletion. Also, methanol toxicity, once established in the monkey, can be reversed with 5-formyltetrahydrofolic acid administration. The results indicate that 5-formyltetrahydrofolic acid decreases formate accumulation after methanol by stimulating the rate of formate oxidation or utilization and provide additional evidence for the involvement of folate-dependent reactions in the metabolism and toxicity of methanol in the monkey.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Methanol poisoning in human subjects. Role for formic acid accumulation in the metabolic acidosis.

Whereas a great deal of information is available on the etiology of methanol poisoning in the monkey, very little study has been made in human subjects. The role of formic acid in methanol toxicity in human subjects has not been established. Two patients have been studied who have presented with the characteristics of methanol poisoning--metabolic acidosis and ocular toxicity. This has made possible a confirmation of the role of formate in the toxic syndrome. Acidosis was very severe in both cases with arterial pH values of about 6.9 and plasma bicarbonate concentrations of 3 meq/liter. A sensitive and specific assay was used to measure formic acid levels in blood and other fluids. Formate accumulation was marked with initial blood levels ranging from 11.1 to 26.0 meq/liter. Decreases in blood bicarbonate concentrations of similar magnitude coincided with the increase in formate. Thus, accumulation of formic acid plays a major part in the acidosis observed in human subjects poisoned with methanol, as has been demonstrated in monkeys. Treatment involving bicarbonate administration, ethanol infusion and hemodialysis, rapidly decreased formate levels in the blood to control values. Methanol concentrations were reduced but to lesser extent than that of formate. Despite the reduction in formate and methanol concentrations in both cases, the treatment was successful in only one of the two patients.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1980

Methanol toxicity: treatment with folic acid and 5-formyl tetrahydrofolic acid.

After methanol administration to monkeys, an accumulation of formate in blood occurs coincident with the development of metabolic acidosis and a depletion of blood bicarbonate. Formate metabolism in monkeys depends upon and is regulated by a folate-dependent system; therefore, the effect of folic acid pretreatment and 5-formyl tetrahydrofolic acid administration on methanol toxicity was investigated. Treatment of monkeys with repetitive doses of either sodium folate (48, 24, 12, and 4 hr prior to methanol) or 5-formyl tetrahydrofolic acid (2 mg/kg at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 18 hr after methanol) resulted in a marked decrease in the levels of blood formate and an absence of both metabolic acidosis and depletion of blood bicarbonate following methanol administration. Also, 5-formyl tetrahydrofolic acid reversed methanol toxicity once it was established in the monkey. The results indicate that folate compounds decrease formate accumulation after methanol by stimulating formate oxidation or utilization and suggest a possible use for folates in the treatment of certain cases of human methanol poisoning.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Studies on the mechanism of experimental porphyria produced by 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine. Role of a porphyrin-like inhibitor of protohaem ferro-lyase.

A green porphyrin-like pigment with inhibitory properties towards protohaem ferro-lyase activity was isolated from the livers of mice and rats after treatment with 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine. Mice, which are more sensitive to the porphyrogenic properties of the drug, produce more inhibitor. The non-porphyrogenic analogue 3,5-diethoxycarbonylcollidine does not cause accumulation of the pigment in the liver. The inhibitory substance is present in control liver at low but measurable concentrations.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Phospholipid-dependence of oestrone UDP-glucuronyltransferase and p-nitrophenol UDP-glucuronyltransferase.

Hepatic UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity was resolved into two fractions, one exhibiting oestrone glucuronyltransferase activity and the other exhibiting p-nitrophenol glucuronyltransferase activity. Hydroxyapatite-column chromatography removed greater than 95% of the phospholipids from both preparations. The partially purified delipidated enzymes were essentially devoid of catalytic activity, but activities were restored by the addition of phospholipids or phosphatidylcholine mixtures containing various saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Both oestrone and p-nitrophenol glucuronyl-transferase activities were reconstituted to similar degrees with the phosphatidylcholine mixtures. When purified phospholipids were tested, phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine were most effective in restoring activity, whereas phosphatidylethanolamine was the least effective. These results further suggest that oestrone and p-nitrophenol UDP-glucuronyltransferases are dependent on phospholipids for their activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Structural requirements in the reaction of morphine uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase with opioid substances.

The influence of the 3-hydroxyl and N-alkyl groups in the reactivity of narcotic compounds with morphine UDP-glucuronyltransferase was studied. Opioids possessing both, one or none of these groups were tested for inhibition of morphine glucuronidation in rabbit liver microsomal preparations. Compounds with only a 3-hydroxyl group (normorphine) or an N-methyl group (codeine, ethylmorphine) were less potent competitive inhibitors than those containing both groups (dextrorphan). Norcodeine, with neither of these groups, had no inhibitory effect. The synthetic narcotics (+)- and (-)-methadone, (-)-alpha-acetylmethadol and meperidine, with only an N-alkyl group, were effective competitive inhibitors. No stereoselectivity of the morphine glucuronyltransferase for opioid isomers was observed, and [methionine]enkephalin does not react with morphine glucuronyltransferase. Differences of pKa values and water/lipid solubility of narcotics could not explain the effects. Results indicate that the N-alkyl group plays a critical role in the interaction of narcotics with the morphine UDP-glucuronyltransferase.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Effects of metals on heme biosynthesis and metabolism.

Studying the mechanism of interaction of metals with enzymes of the heme biosynthetic pathway has revealed a great deal of understanding of the regulation of the pathway and a possible insight into the toxicology of certain metals. Both positive and negative effects of metals on heme biosynthesis and catabolism can be demonstrated. The understanding of these interactions has given us a clearer picture of certain of the descriptive events known to occur in toxic states induced by these metals. Unfortunately, the studies have also driven us to appreciate the even more complex nature of the biosynthetic and metabolic pathways for heme than was originally hypothesized. It can be predicted that the next 5 years should lead to many more revelations and potential treatment modalities for toxic states induced by metals or genetic diseases where heme biosynthesis does not occur normally.

5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗
PubMed1977

Methyl alcohol poisoning. II. Development of a model for ocular toxicity in methyl alcohol poisoning using the rhesus monkey.

Rhesus monkeys were intoxicated with methyl alcohol, using an initial dose of 2 gm/kg and subsequent doses were administered in order to maintain an attenuated and prolonged state of intoxication. Arterial blood samples were drawn for methyl alcohol, formate, PO2, PCO2, and pH, which were monitored periodically throughout the course of the experiment. With the use of these procedures monkeys developed metabolic acidosis with the accumulation of formic acid in the blood and a corresponding decrease in blood bicarbonate. These animals served as models, which allowed for ocular evaluation for early signs related to methyl alcohol poisoning. A mechanism to explain toxicity is proposed and discussed.

Acidosis↗