Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Pyrogallol”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Direct vasoactive and vasoprotective properties of anthocyanin-rich extracts.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in the impairment of nitric oxide-mediated vascular functions and overall pathogenesis associated with cardiovascular disease. Plant pigment anthocyanins are exceptionally potent oxygen radical scavengers that produce beneficial effects in diseases outside the cardiovascular system. We examined for the first time the potential coronary vasoactive and vasoprotective properties of three anthocyanin enhanced extracts prepared from chokeberry (Ck), bilberry (B), or elderberry (E). Coronary arterial rings were isolated from 64 pigs and incubated in sterile tissue culture media overnight for use in one of four separate in vitro isometric force recording studies. Ck and B, but not E, produced dose- and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. (%maximal relaxation at 5 mg total anthocyanins per liter: Ck = 68 +/- 11, B = 59 +/- 10). Coronary vascular tone, endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation to A23187, and vasorelaxation to DEA NONOate were not affected by exposure of rings to any extract at 0.05 mg total anthocyanins per liter for 5 or 30 min. Ck extract at 0.05 mg total anthocyanins per liter showed the greatest protection against loss of A23187 relaxation following exposure to ROS from pyrogallol (Ck, % maximal relaxation and -logED50 to A23187, respectively, means +/- SE: Ck alone, 93 +/- 5%, 7.91 +/- 0.1; pyrogallol alone, 76 +/- 7%, 7.46 +/- 0.06; pyrogallol + Ck, 98 +/- 1%, 7.82 +/- 0.06; control: 99 +/- 1%, 7.86 +/- 0.07; P < 0.05 control vs. pyrogallol alone). Neither the extracts nor pyrogallol affected responses to DEA NONOate. Thus anthocyanin-enhanced extracts produce endothelium-dependent relaxation in porcine coronary arteries. Extract concentrations too low to directly alter coronary vascular tone protect coronary arteries from ROS without altering vasorelaxation to endogenous or exogenous NO. These results suggest that such extracts could have significant beneficial effects in vascular disease.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of Ocimum basilicum L. polyphenol oxidase.

A partial characterization of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in Ocimum basilicum L. is described. PPO in O. basilicum L. was extracted and purified through (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, dialysis, and a Sepharose 4B-l-tyrosine-p-aminobenzoic acid affinity column. The samples obtained from (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and dialysis were used for the characterization of PPO. At the end of purification by affinity chromatography, 11.5-fold purification was achived. The purified enzyme exhibited a clear single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be approximately 54 kDa. The contents of total phenolic and protein of O. basilicum L. extracts were determined. The total phenolic content of O. basilicum L. was determined spectrophotometrically according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and was found to be 280 mg 100 g(-1) on a fresh weight basis. The protein content was determined according to the Bradford method. The enzyme showed activity to 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol substrates, but not to tyrosine. Therefore, of these three substrates, 4-methylcatecol was the best substrate due to the highest V(max)/K(m) value, followed by pyrogallol and catechol. The optimum pH was at 6, 8, and 9 for 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol, respectively. The enzyme had an optimum temperature of 20, 40, and 50 degrees C for 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol, respectively. It was found that optimum temperature and pH were dependent on the substrates studied. The enzyme activity with increasing temperature and inactivation time for 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol substrates decreased due to heat denaturation of the enzyme.

Catechol Oxidase↗

Differential sensitivity of basal and acetylcholine-stimulated activity of nitric oxide to destruction by superoxide anion in rat aorta.

1. In this study we compared the ability of superoxide anion to destroy the relaxant activity of basal and acetylcholine (ACh)-stimulated activity of NO in isolated rings of rat aorta. 2. Superoxide dismutase (SOD, 1-300 u ml-1) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine (PE)-induced tone in endothelium-containing rings which was blocked by NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG, 30 microM), but had no effect on endothelium-denuded rings. It was likely therefore that the relaxant action of SOD resulted from protection of basally produced NO from destruction by superoxide anion, generated either within the tissue or in the oxygenated Krebs solution. 3. In contrast, a concentration of SOD (50 u ml-1) which produced almost maximal enhancement of basal NO activity, had no effect on ACh (10 nM-3 microM)-induced relaxation. 4. In the presence of catalase (3000 u ml-1) to prevent the actions of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion generation using hypoxanthine (HX, 0.1 mM)/xanthine oxidase (XO, 16 mu ml-1) produced an augmentation of PE-induced tone in endothelium-containing but not endothelium-denuded rings. This was likely to have resulted from removal of the tonic vasodilator action of basally-produced NO by superoxide anion, since it was blocked in tissues treated with SOD (250 u ml-1), NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 30 microM) or L-NOARG (30 microM). Pyrogallol (0.1 mM) had a similar action to HX/XO, but produced an additional augmentation of tone by an endothelium-independent mechanism. 5. In contrast to their ability to destroy almost completely the basal activity of NO, HX (0.1 mM)/XO(16 mu ml-1) and pyrogallol (0.1 mM) had no effect on ACh-induced relaxation at any concentration. An increase in the concentration of HX to 1 mM or pyrogallol to 0.3 mM did, however, lead to a profound decrease in the magnitude and time course of ACh-induced relaxation at all concentrations.6. Treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate (DETCA, 0.1 mM, 1 h) to inhibit endogenous Cu-Zn SOD,augmented PE-induced tone in endothelium-containing rings and abolished the ability of HX (0.1 mM)/XO (16 mu ml-1) and L-NMMA (30 microM) to augment tone. It was likely that DETCA had led to the destruction of basal NO activity by increasing superoxide anion levels since its actions were reversed by exogenous SOD (10-300 upsilon ml-1).7. In contrast to its ability to destroy basal activity of NO completely, DETCA (0.1 mM) produced only a slight blockade of ACh-induced relaxation. However, if these tissues were subsequently treated with concentrations of HX (0.1 mM)/XO (16 mu ml-1) or pyrogallol (0.1 mM), which had no effect by themselves on ACh-induced relaxation, a profound blockade was seen and this was reversed completely with SOD (250 u ml-1).8. The data suggest that basal activity of NO is more sensitive to inactivation by superoxide anion than ACh-stimulated activity and this probably results from differential protection by endogenous Cu-ZnSOD. It is possible therefore that endogenous SOD lowers superoxide anion levels to such an extent that only small amounts of NO, such as those produced under basal conditions, are destroyed. Following generation of superoxide anion with HX/XO or pyrogallol, or inhibition of Cu-Zn SOD with DETCA,levels of the free radical will increase such that greater amounts of NO, such as those produced following stimulation with ACh, will then be destroyed.

Acetylcholine↗

Action profiles of nitric oxide, S-nitroso-L-cysteine, SNP, and NANC responses in opossum lower esophageal sphincter.

Circular muscle strips from opossum lower esophageal sphincter were suspended in organ baths for measurement of isometric tension. Nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) inhibitory nerves were stimulated by means of transmural field stimulation. This induced frequency-dependent relaxations of the muscle strips. Methylene blue (3 x 10(-6) M; inhibits guanylate cyclase) and pyrogallol (10(-4) M; generates superoxide anions) had no influence on relaxations, whereas oxyhemoglobin [10(-5) M; binds nitric oxide (NO) and other nitroso compounds extracellularly] inhibited relaxations at all frequencies. NO concentration dependently relaxed the muscle strips. Pyrogallol (10(-4) M) and methylene blue (3 x 10(-6) M) inhibited and oxyhemoglobin (10(-5) M) nearly abolished relaxation induced by NO. S-nitroso-L-cysteine caused concentration-dependent relaxations of the muscle strips, which were inhibited by pyrogallol (10(-4) M), whereas methylene blue (3 x 10(-6) M) augmented the action of S-nitroso-L-cysteine. Methylene blue (3 x 10(-6) M) had no influence on the concentration-dependent relaxations caused by sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Oxyhemoglobin (10(-5) M), and to a lesser extent pyrogallol (10(-4) M), both inhibited the effects of SNP. The action profiles for S-nitroso-L-cysteine, NO, and SNP differed from the action profile for NANC nerve-mediated response. Although pyrogallol inhibited the effects of SNP, the action profile generally resembled the action profile for NANC responses more closely than did the profiles for S-nitroso-L-cysteine or NO. In conclusion, of the nitroso compounds studied, SNP most closely resembled the response to NANC nerve stimulation. Neither NO nor S-nitroso-L-cysteine individually mimicked the NANC response.

Animals↗

Hepatoprotective effect of New Livfit, a polyherbal formulation, is mediated through its free radical scavenging activity.

The effect of New Livfit, a polyherbal formulation, was studied on pyrogallol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Administration of pyrogallol 100 mg/kg, i.p. caused a significant increase in liver enzymes as well as a significant increase in lipid peroxidation. Simultaneous administration of oral New Livfit and pyrogallol prevented these changes in hepatic damage. The results of the study showed that New Liv fi t(R) exerted a hepatoprotective effect against pyrogallol induced liver toxicity, which was mediated through its free radical scavenging property.

Animals↗

Effects of agents that inactivate free radical NO (NO*) on nitroxyl anion-mediated relaxations, and on the detection of NO* released from the nitroxyl anion donor Angeli's salt.

1. The effects of agents that inactivate free radical nitric oxide (carboxy-PTIO, hydroxocobalamin and pyrogallol) were tested on relaxations produced by the nitroxyl anion (NO(-)) donor Angeli's salt in rat aortic rings and anococcygeus muscles. The amount of NO(*) generated from Angeli's salt in the presence of these agents was measured using a NO(*)-selective electrode sensor. 2. Carboxy-PTIO (100, 300 microM), hydroxocobalamin (30, 100 microM) and pyrogallol (10, 30 microM) significantly reduced relaxations produced by Angeli's salt (0.3 microM) in aortic rings but not in anococcygeus muscles. 3. NO(*) generated from Angeli's salt (0.1 - 10 microM), as detected by the sensor electrode, was less than 0.5% of the amount of Angeli's salt added. Carboxy-PTIO (100 microM) and hydroxocobalamin (30 microM), but not pyrogallol significantly increased the amount of NO(*) detected. 4. In the presence of an oxidizing agent copper [II] (as CuSO(4) 100 microM), the amount of NO(*) detected from 0.3 microM of Angeli's salt increased from an undetectable level of 142.7+/-15.7 nM (equivalent to 47.6% of Angeli's salt added). Under these conditions, carboxy-PTIO, hydroxocobalamin and pyrogallol significantly reduced the amount of NO(*) detected from Angeli's salt as well as the signal generated by an equivalent amount of authentic NO (0.33 microM). 5. The difference in effects of these agents on relaxations to Angeli's salt in the aorta and the anococcygeus muscle may be explained by the ready conversion of NO(-) to NO(*) in the aorta through an unidentified mechanism, which makes NO(-) susceptible to inactivation by these agents. Furthermore, in addition to inactivating NO(*), carboxy-PTIO and hydroxocobalamin may themselves oxidize NO(-) to NO(*), albeit slightly.

Animals↗

Endothelium-dependent tolerance to ethanol-induced contraction of rat aorta: effect of inhibition of EDRF action and nitric oxide synthesis.

In vitro ethanol induces a dose-dependent contraction of the aorta. Tolerance to this effect of ethanol is expressed by a rightward shift of the dose-response curve in aorta from animals intoxicated with ethanol for 2 days. The expression of tolerance in the aorta is dependent upon the presence of functional endothelial cells which suggests that tolerance is mediated, in part, by endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). To test this hypothesis, three inhibitors of EDRF action and an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis were studied for their ability to alter tolerance to ethanol-induced contraction of the aorta. In vitro pretreatment of aortic rings with gossypol (10(-6)-10(-5) M), pyrogallol (10(-5) M), hemoglobin (10(-6) M), and NG-nitro-L-arginine (NOARG, 10(-4) M) inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by carbachol. The inhibition of carbachol-induced relaxation produced by pyrogallol was reversed by superoxide dismutase (SOD, 45 units/ml). In vitro pretreatment of rings obtained from ethanol-treated rats with gossypol, pyrogallol, hemoglobin, or NOARG inhibited the expression of ethanol tolerance, shifting the ethanol dose-response curve to control values. SOD reversed the effect of pyrogallol pretreatment. None of the antagonists significantly altered the ethanol dose-response curve of aortic rings obtained from control animals. These data support the hypothesis that tolerance to ethanol-induced contraction of the aorta is mediated by the release of EDRF from endothelial cells.

Animals↗

The effects of superoxide anion generators on responses to exogenous nitric oxide and non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerve stimulation in rat isolated penile bulb.

The effects of the superoxide anion generators, pyrogallol and hydroquinone on relaxations induced by electrical field stimulation (70 V, 0.7 msec., 0.5-8 Hz for 5 sec.) and exogenous nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside, were investigated in rat penile bulb precontracted with phenylephrine (10(-4) M). Pyrogallol (10(-4) M, 3 x 10(-4) M) and hydroquinone (3 x 10(-4) M) reduced the relaxations induced by sodium nitroprusside, but had no effect on relaxations elicited by nitrergic nerve stimulation. After treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate (3 x 10(-3) M), an inhibitor of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, both agents reduced the relaxations induced by electrical field stimulation. Superoxide dismutase, at 300 U/ml, significantly reversed the inhibitory action of pyrogallol and hydroquinone on responses to sodium nitroprusside. This concentration of superoxide dismutase failed to reverse the inhibitory action of pyrogallol on responses to electrical field stimulation observed in the presence of diethyldithiocarbamate, while at 600 U/ml it significantly prevented the reduction in relaxations. However, even at 600 U/ml, superoxide dismutase did not alter the decrease in responses to electrical field stimulation evoked by hydroquinone in tissues pretreated with diethyldithiocarbamate. These results suggest that the nitrergic transmitter in rat penile bulb is protected against superoxide anions by endogenous Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase in a manner similar to gastric fundus and anococcygeus muscles.

Animals↗

Metabolism of resorcinylic compounds by bacteria: new pathway for resorcinol catabolism in Azotobacter vinelandii.

We present evidence to document a third pathway for the microbial catabolism of resorcinol. Resorcinol is converted to pyrogallol by resorcinol-grown cells of Azotobacter vinelandii. Pyrogallol is the substrate for one of two ring cleavage enzymes induced by growth with resorcinol. Oxalocrotonate, CO2, pyruvate, and acetaldehyde have been identified as products of pyrogallol oxidation catalyzed by extracts of resorcinol-grown cells. The enzymes pyrogallol 1,2-dioxygenase, oxalocrotonate tautomerase (isomerase), oxalocrotonate decarboxylase, and vinylpyruvate hydratase are present in extracts from resorcinol-grown cells but not in succinate-grown cells.

Acetaldehyde↗

Carvedilol, a new beta-adrenoreceptor blocker antihypertensive drug, protects against free-radical-induced endothelial dysfunction.

We tested the ability of carvedilol, an antihypertensive beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist with antioxidant properties, to protect rat aorta rings from free-radical-induced endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction. Rings were exposed to the superoxide generator pyrogallol. Vascular function of intact rings was assessed by observing acetylcholine (ACh)-induced vasorelaxation following submaximal contraction by U-46619. Function of rings denuded of ECs was assessed by observing S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP)-induced vasorelaxation following submaximal contraction by U-46619. Carvedilol exerted a significant protective effect against pyrogallol-induced vasoconstriction (17.1 +/- 4.8 vs. 31.9 +/- 5.4% for vehicle, p < 0.05). Carvedilol also demonstrated significant protection against pyrogallol-induced endothelium dysfunction, enhancing vasorelaxation to 1,000 nmol/l ACh (73 +/- 3.9 vs. 48 +/- 3.0% vehicle, p < 0.01). These protective effects were not seen with propanolol, a pure beta-receptor antagonist. Carvedilol mixed with pyrogallol and SNAP preserved SNAP-induced vasorelaxation in rings denuded of ECs (80.4 +/- 5.3 vs. 63.7 +/- 4.8% control, p < 0.05). Carvedilol appears to protect vascular function by scavenging free radicals and enhancing the effects of NO.

Acetylcholine↗

[Possibilities for the deep bacterial destruction of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene].

The possibility of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) deep destruction (the aromatic cycle fission inclusive) by Pseudomonas fluorescens B-3468 is reported for the first time. The formation of nitrogen-free metabolites, viz. phloroglucinol and pyrogallol, is preceded by the NAD(P)H-dependent deamination of 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene (2,4-DA), a TNT intermediate. 30% of 2,4-DA nitrogen in released as ammonium under the action of an induced cell-free extract in the presence of the preferential co-factor NADH (together with FAD). The elevated pyrogallol-decomposing activity in cells grown on 2,4-DA, phloroglucinol and pyrogallol as well as the induction of the pyrocatechase activity in cells grown on the above substrates, together with the earlier reported accumulation of phloroglucinol and pyrogallol upon 2,4-DA utilization, indicated that the enzyme might be involved in the TNT cycle cleavage. The participation of NADH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase in 2,4-DA nitrogen utilization is supported by experimental evidence.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Peroxynitrite scavenging by different antioxidants. Part I: convenient assay.

A convenient "tube" assay to quantify relative antioxidant activities in aqueous solutions has been developed. Peroxynitrite was employed as a biologically relevant source of radicals with Pyrogallol Red as a detecting molecule. A variety of compounds have been examined, namely polyphenols, uric acid, glutathione, and ascorbic acid. Competition kinetics were observed for the majority of examined compounds, except thymol and ascorbic acid. Pyrogallol Red was fully protected by ascorbic acid against the bleaching by peroxynitrite until its total consumption. The deviation from competition kinetics in the case of thymol was due to the formation of radicals from thymol and their subsequent reaction with Pyrogallol Red. Quercetin was the most efficient scavenger of free radicals. The measurements of relative antioxidant activities using Pyrogallol Red and other detecting molecules, such as gallocyanine and carminic acid, were in fair agreement. The assay was successfully used for a screening of antioxidant activity of plant extracts of unknown composition.

Antioxidants↗

The production of viral RNA inactivator(s) from the interaction of dihydric and trihydric phenols with cupric ion.

Eight lots of reagent-grade phenol from four companies were tested for capacity to interact with Cu2+ to produce an inactivator or inactivators of the transfective RNA obtained from poliovirions; such capacity to interact with Cu2+ is referred to as cofactor activity. Six of the lots showed cofactor activity; two did not. A review of the data on the phenol lots and of the properties of the impurity or impurities conferring cofactor activity suggested that the active impurity(ies) might be a dihydric or trihydric phenol. Commercial catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, orcinol and pyrogallol were tested and found active. The activity of hydroquinone was outstandingly high. Upon serial recrystallization, the activity of catechol, hydroquinone, orcinol and pyrogallol remained constant, but the activity of resorcinol decreased markedly, in stepwise fashion, showing the most of the activity of the commercial resorcinol was due to impurity(ies). Each of catechol, hydroquinone, orcinol, pyrogallol, and the commercial resorcinol was shown to react with Cu2+ to produce inactivator(s). The effective target for inactivator(s) was the RNA and not the transfection process. The kinetics of inactivator(s) production varied for the different phenols, and the inactivator activity of the incubated mixture of pyrogallol and Cu2+ was notably labile.

Copper↗

Effect of thiol modulators and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase inhibition on nitrergic relaxations in the rat gastric fundus.

1. The effects of superoxide anion generators before and after treatment with inhibitors of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and the effects of thiol-modulating agents were investigated on nitrergic relaxations to electrical stimulation of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves of the rat gastric fundus and on relaxations to authentic nitric oxide (NO) and nitroglycerin. 2. The superoxide anion generators, pyrogallol (30 microM) and duroquinone (30-60 microM), significantly inhibited the relaxations to NO (0.03-3 microM) but not nitrergic relaxations to NANC nerve stimulation (0.5-8 Hz) or those to ATP (10 microM). Treatment of the rat gastric fundus with the inhibitors of Cu/Zn SOD, diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC, 1 mM for 2 h) or triethylenetetramine (TETA, 100 microM for 2 h) had no effect on the relaxations to NANC nerve stimulation (1-8 Hz), NO (0.03-3 microM) or on those to ATP (10 microM). 3. After treatment of the rat gastric fundus with DETC (1 mM) but not after treatment with TETA (100 microM), pyrogallol (30 microM) and duroquinone (30-60 microM) significantly inhibited the nitrergic relaxations to electrical stimulation (0.5-8 Hz) and those to NO (0.03-3 microM). This inhibitory effect of pyrogallol and duroquinone was prevented by addition of exogenous SOD (250 units ml-1). Pyrogallol but not duroquinone also inhibited the NO-independent relaxations to ATP (10 microM). 4. The thiol modulators, buthionine sulphoximine (1 mM for 2 h) and ethacrynic acid (30 microM for 2 h), significantly inhibited the relaxations to nitroglycerin (0.03-3 microM) but had no effect on the nitrergic relaxations to electrical stimulation (0.5-8 Hz) or on those to NO (0.03-10 microM) and ATP (10 microM). The thiol modulators, sulphobromophthalein (100 microM for 2 h) and diamide (30-100 microM for 2 h) did not affect the relaxations to nitroglycerin, or those to NANC nerve stimulation and NO. 5. In summary, thiol modulators significantly inhibited the thiol-dependent relaxations to nitroglycerin but not those to NANC nerve stimulation or NO. Relaxations to nitrergic stimulation were decreased by superoxide anion generators only after inhibition of Cu/Zn SOD. These results suggest that the nitrergic NANC neurotransmitter in the rat gastric fundus is not a nitrosothiol but more likely free NO, which is protected from breakdown by tissue SOD.

Animals↗

Initial steps in the anaerobic degradation of 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate by Eubacterium oxidoreducens: characterization of mutants and role of 1,2,3,5-tetrahydroxybenzene.

Chemical mutagenesis and antibiotic enrichment techniques were used to isolate five mutant strains of the obligate anaerobe Eubacterium oxidoreducens that were unable to grow on 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (gallate). Two strains could not transform gallate and showed no detectable gallate decarboxylase activity. Two other strains transformed gallate to pyrogallol and dihydrophloroglucinol but lacked the hydrolase activity responsible for ring cleavage. A fifth strain accumulated pyrogallol, although it contained adequate levels of the enzymes proposed for the complete transformation of gallate to the ring cleavage product. The conversion of pyrogallol to phloroglucinol by cell extract of the wild-type strain was dependent on the addition of 1,2,3,5-tetrahydroxybenzene or dimethyl sulfoxide. This activity was induced by growth on gallate, while the other enzymes involved in the initial reactions of gallate catabolism were constitutively expressed during growth on crotonate. The results confirm the initial steps in the pathway previously proposed for the metabolism of gallate by E. oxidoreducens, except for the conversion of pyrogallol to phloroglucinol.

Anaerobiosis↗

Comparison of disease in calves dosed orally with oak or commercial tannic acid.

Commercial tannic acid has been used as a substitute for leaves and acorns in studies of oak toxicosis in some species. The toxicity of a commercial tannic acid given orally to calves was determined, and the clinical signs, laboratory findings, and pyrogallol production were compared with those found in calves dosed orally with oak leaves. The oak-fed calves developed the clinical signs and lesions characteristic of renal failure. Proteinuria developed by 48 hours in 1 calf and by 72 hours in the other calf. Both calves developed hematuria on day 4 and glucosuria on day 5. The blood urea nitrogen and creatinine values increased markedly on day 6. Pyrogallol was detected in the serum only at 3 and 6 hours after the calves began ingesting the oak leaves. Pyrogallol was detected in urine from 1 calf until 60 hours and in the other calf until 48 hours after the beginning of oak intake. The 2 calves that were dosed with tannic acid at the same level as found in the leaves fed to the other calves did not develop clinical signs, abnormal laboratory findings, or pyrogallol production. Calves given high levels of tannic acid at doses of 4.4-5.5 g/kg developed methemoglobinemia rather than renal disease. Therefore, commercial tannic acid given orally cannot be used as a substitute for oak in studies of toxicosis in cattle.

Animals↗

Active oxygens generation by flavonoids.

The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-generating effects of 14 flavonoids were investigated. Seven out of 14 flavonoids tested were found to generate H2O2 in an acetate buffer of pH 7.4. The H2O2-generating abilities of flavonoids decrease in the order of myricetin > baicalein > quercetin > (-)-epicatechin > (+)-catechin > fisetin = 7,8-dihydroxy flavone. This ability was observed in flavonoids with either a pyrogallol or catechol structure, and the pyrogallol-type flavonoids generated more H2O2 than the catechol-types. The amount of H2O2 generated by myricetin (pyrogallol-type flavonoid) was proportional to its concentration and to the reaction time until about 4 h. In addition, H2O2 generation by myricetin was dependent on the amount of dissolved oxygen in the buffer, and it was inhibited by the addition of superoxide dismutase. These results suggest that the flavonoids generate H2O2 by donating a hydrogen from their pyrogallol or catechol structure to oxygen, through a superoxide anion radical. It was also found that flavonoids which generated more H2O2 were more powerful antioxidants in the NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation of rat microsomes.

Animals↗

Vasodilatory activity of etozoline in rat and guinea-pig isolated aorta: study of the mechanism of action.

In isolated rings of guinea-pig aorta not responding to acetylcholine, the diuretic etozoline did not influence basal vascular tone but inhibited noradrenaline- and histamine-induced contractions. The inhibition was evident at concentrations of the diuretic (10 microM-1 mM) suitable to inhibit, in a competitive manner, the contractions evoked by a K+ channel blocker, tetraethylammonium, in the same preparation (Dorigo et al., 1989, 1990). In isolated rings of guinea-pig aorta, etozoline, at very low concentrations (1 nM-0.1 microM), inhibited also serotinin-induced contractions. The contractile effect of serotonin was abolished by nifedipine associated with 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl N,N-diphenyl-carbamate (an inhibitor of phospholipase C) or with etozoline, thus suggesting that the diuretic, besides inhibiting extracellular Ca++ uptake, also prevents intracellular Ca++ mobilization mediated by inositol triphosphate. In isolated rings of rat aorta responding to acetylcholine, etozoline did not influence basal vascular tone either in the absence or in the presence of superoxide-dismutase. In the same preparation, the diuretic inhibited vascular contractions induced by the three spasmogenic agents used, i.e. noradrenaline, histamine and serotonin. This inhibition occurred at concentrations of etozoline ranging from 10 microM to 1 mM and was uninfluenced by indomethacin (10 microMs). In isolated rings of rat aorta, the contractile effect of noradrenaline was not influenced by the addition of either 100 microM pyrogallol, or 10 microM methylene blue or 100 U/ml superoxide-dismutase, while the contractile responses to histamine and to serotonin were potentiated by pyrogallol and by methylene blue and reduced by superoxide-dismutase. This indicates that, in rat aorta, noradrenaline evokes only a direct contractile response, whereas both serotonin and histamine have a double effect: direct contraction of vascular smooth muscle and release of a relaxing factor from the endothelium. The inhibitory activity of etozoline towards serotonin- and histamine-induced contractions was reduced by pyrogallol and by methylene blue, whereas it was potentiated by superoxide-dismutase. The ability of etozoline to reverse the noradrenaline-induced contraction was unaffected by pyrogallol, methylene blue or superoxide-dismutase. These results emphasize the spasmolytic activity of etozoline, which seems to involve only the muscular component of rat and guinea-pig aorta.

Acetylcholine↗