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Metabolism of the polysaccharides of human dental plaque. Part II. Purification and properties of Cladosporium resinae (1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-glucanase, and the enzymic hydrolysis of glucans synthesised by extracellular D-glucosyltransferases of oral streptococci.

Cladosporium resinae (1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-glucanase has been characterized as an endoglucanase capable of completely hydrolysing insoluble (1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-glucans isolated from fungal cell-walls. D-Glucose was the major product, but a small amount of nigerose was also produced. The enzyme was specific for the hydrolysis of (1 leads to 3) bonds that occur in sequence, and nigerotetraose was the smallest substrate that was rapidly attacked. Isolated (1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-glucosidic linkages that occur in mycodextran, isolichein, dextrans, and oligosaccharides derived from dextran were not hydrolysed. Insoluble glucan synthesised from sucrose by culture filtrates of Streptococcus spp. were all hydrolysed to various limits; the range was 11-61%. A soluble glucan, synthesised by an extracellular D-glucosyltransferase of S. mutans OMZ176, was not a substrate, whereas insoluble glucans synthesised by a different D-glucosyltransferase, isolated from S. mutans strains OMZ176 and K1-R, were extensively hydrolysed (84 and 92%, respectively). It is suggested that dextranase-CB, a bacterial endo(1 leads to 6)-alpha-D-glucanase that does not release D-glucose from any substrate, could be used together with C. resinae (1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-glucanase to determine the relative proportions of (1 leads to 6)-linked to (1 leads to 3)-linked sequences of D-glucose residues in the insoluble glucans produce by oral streptococci. The simultaneous action of the two D-glucanoses was highly effective in solubilizing the glucans.

Cladosporium↗

Biodegradable hydrogels obtained by photocrosslinking of dextran and polyaspartamide derivatives.

The functionalization of dextran with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) leads to the formation of a derivative that generates hydrogels for irradiation at 365nm. The effects of various polymer concentrations and irradiation times on the yield and the properties of the obtained hydrogels are reported. The networks have been characterized by FT-IR spectra, dimensional analysis and swelling measurements carried out at different pH values. In vitro studies suggest that all samples undergo a partial chemical hydrolysis, whereas the incubation with dextranases causes a total degradation whose rate depends on the degree of crosslinking. In addition, aqueous solutions of functionalized dextran have been irradiated in the presence of PHG (PHEA-GMA), i.e. the copolymer obtained by the reaction of alpha,beta-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide (PHEA) with GMA. The crosslinking reaction leads to the formation of new networks containing both polymers whose properties have been investigated. To evaluate the processes which occur during UV irradiation, the sol fractions have been purified and characterized by FT-IR and 1H-NMR analyses. Finally, the suitability of hydrogels deriving from functionalized dextran, crosslinked alone or in the presence of PHG, for drug delivery systems has been investigated choosing theophylline as a model drug.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Crosslinked dextran--a new capsule material for colon targeting of drugs.

In the work presented here we have studied the application of glutaraldehyde crosslinked dextran as a capsule material for colon-specific drug delivery. A reaction mixture containing dextran, MgCl2, glutaraldehyde and polyethyleneglycol 400 in water was applied onto molding pins of nylon producing capsule caps and bodies. The capsule materials were characterized by measuring of the mechanical strength in compression and equilibrium degree of swelling. Based on these results an optimal composition for the capsule material was selected. The dextran capsules were loaded with hydrocortisone and subsequently, drug release was studied. The release was found to be about 10% during the initial 3 h in a buffer solution. Over a period of 24 h the release was about 35%. However, when the dextran capsules were challenged with a dextranase solution, simulating the arrival of the drug delivery system to the colon, the capsules quickly broke and the drug was released as a dose dump. The study shows that the dextran capsules are promising candidates for providing a colon-specific drug delivery.

Capsules↗

Dual-stimuli-responsive drug release from interpenetrating polymer network-structured hydrogels of gelatin and dextran.

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN)-structured hydrogels of gelatin (Gtn) and dextran (Dex) were prepared with lipid microspheres (LMs) as a drug microreservoir, and LM release from these hydrogels was examined in relation to their dual-stimuli-responsive degradation. A phase morphology in the IPN-structured hydrogels was varied with the preparation temperature, i.e. above or below the sol-gel transition temperature (Ttrans) of Gtn. The IPN-structured hydrogel prepared below Ttrans exhibited a specific degradation-controlled LM release behavior: LM release from the hydrogel in the presence of either alpha-chymotrypsin or dextranase alone was completely hindered, whereas LM release was observed in the presence of both enzymes. It is concluded that dual-stimuli-responsive drug release can be achieved by specific degradation of a particular IPN-structured hydrogel.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

Self-assembled hydrogel nanoparticles composed of dextran and poly(ethylene glycol) macromer.

Biodegradable hydrogel nanoparticles were prepared from glycidyl methacrylate dextran (GMD) and dimethacrylate poly(ethylene glycol) (DMP). GMD was synthesized by coupling of glycidyl methacrylate to dextran in the presence of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) using dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as an aprotic solvent. DMP was synthesized from poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and methacryloyl chloride. GMD/DMP (abbreviated as DP) hydrogel was prepared by radical polymerization of GMD and DMP using ammonium peroxydisulfate (APS) as an initiator and UV curing. DP hydrogel nanoparticles were obtained by diafiltration method using DMSO solution. The GMD and DMP were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Fluorescence probe technique was used to investigate the self-assembly of DP in water using pyrene as a hydrophobic probe. The critical association concentration (CAC) was determined to be 5.6 x 10(-2) g/l. The shape of DP hydrogel nanoparticles was spherical when observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The size range of DP hydrogel nanoparticles was about 20 approximately 50 nm. The hydrodynamic size of DP hydrogel nanoparticles was measured by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and gradually increased with time in PBS (0.1 M, pH 7.4). Drug release study was performed using clonazepam (CNZ) as a hydrophobic model drug. In vitro release rate of CNZ from the DP hydrogel nanoparticles was dependent on the existence of dextranase and the pH of the release medium.

Anticonvulsants↗

Polysaccharides in colon-specific drug delivery.

Natural polysaccharides are now extensively used for the development of solid dosage forms for delivery of drug to the colon. The rationale for the development of a polysaccharide based delivery system for colon is the presence of large amounts of polysaccharidases in the human colon as the colon is inhabited by a large number and variety of bacteria which secrete many enzymes e.g. beta-D-glucosidase, beta-D-galactosidase, amylase, pectinase, xylanase, beta-D-xylosidase, dextranase, etc. Various major approaches utilizing polysaccharides for colon-specific delivery are fermentable coating of the drug core, embedding of the drug in biodegradable matrix, formulation of drug-saccharide conjugate (prodrugs). A large number of polysaccharides have already been studied for their potential as colon-specific drug carrier systems, such as chitosan, pectin, chondroitin sulphate, cyclodextrin, dextrans, guar gum, inulin, amylose and locust bean gum. Recent efforts and approaches exploiting these polysaccharides in colon-specific drug delivery are discussed.

Administration, Oral↗

Dextran-methylprednisolone succinate as a prodrug of methylprednisolone: dose-dependent pharmacokinetics in rats.

The dose-dependency in the pharmacokinetics of a macromolecular prodrug of methylprednisolone (MP), dextran-methylprednisolone succinate (DMP), was investigated in rats. Single doses (MP equivalent) of 2.5, 5.0, 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg of DMP were administered intravenously to rats (n=5/group), and serial blood samples (0-96 h) and spleen and liver tissues (96 h) were collected. The concentrations of DMP in plasma and spleen were analyzed using a size-exclusion chromatographic method. The concentrations of DMP in the liver samples were determined by an indirect method after sequential hydrolysis by dextranase and esterase enzymes, followed by HPLC analysis of MP. The kinetics of DMP were analyzed by non-compartmental methods. The systemic clearance of DMP decreased approximately 5-fold (from 42.1+/-11.0 to 7.72+/-1.84 ml/h per kg) when the dose was increased from 2.5 to 30 mg/kg. The nonlinearity in the clearance of DMP could be adequately described by a Michaelis-Menten type elimination with a maximum velocity of elimination of 1.72 mg/h per kg and a constant of 24.9 microg/ml. Additionally, the percent of the dose of DMP found at 96 h in the liver and spleen, where the prodrug is sequestered and gradually eliminated, significantly decreased with an increase in the dose. It is concluded that the clearance of DMP in rats is modestly dose-dependent in the dosage range of 2.5-30 mg/kg.

Animals↗

Immobilization of dextransucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F on Eupergit C supports.

Dextransucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-512F was immobilized on epoxy-activated acrylic polymers with different textural properties (Eupergit C and Eupergit C 250L). Prior to immobilization, dextransucrase was treated with dextranase to remove the dextran layer covering the enzyme surface, thus increasing the accessibility of its reactive groups to the epoxide centers of the support. Elimination of 99% of the initial carbohydrate content was determined by the anthrone method. To prevent enzyme inactivation, the immobilization was carried out at pH 5.4, at which the coupling to the support took place through the carboxylic groups of the enzyme. The effects of the amount (mg) of dextransucrase added per gram of support (from 0.2:1 to 30:1), temperature and contact time were studied. Maximum activity recovery of 22% was achieved using Eupergit C 250L. Using this macroporous support, the maximum specific activity (710 U/g biocatalyst) was significantly higher than that obtained with the less porous Eupergit C (226 U/g biocatalyst). The dextransucrase immobilized on Eupergit C 250L showed similar optimal temperature (30 degrees C) and pH (5-6) compared with the native enzyme. In contrast, a notable stabilization effect at 30 degrees C was observed as a consequence of immobilization. After a fast partial inactivation, the dextransucrase immobilized on Eupergit C 250L maintained more than 40% of the initial activity over the following 2 days. The features of this immobilized system are very attractive for its application in batch and fixed-bed bioreactors.

Bioreactors↗

Colonic drug delivery: prodrug approach.

The colon is largely being investigated as a site for administration of protein and peptides, which are degraded by digestive enzymes in the upper GIT. Also for local diseases of the colon, drug administration to the site of action can not only reduce the dose to be administered, but also decrease the side effects. One of the approaches used for colon specific drug delivery is the formation of a prodrug which optimizes drug delivery and improves drug efficacy. Many prodrugs have been evaluated for colon drug delivery. These prodrugs are designed to pass intact and unabsorbed from the upper GIT and undergo biotransformation in the colon releasing the active drug molecule. This biotransformation is carried out by a variety of enzymes, mainly of bacterial origin present in the colon (e.g. azoreductase, glucuronidase, glycosidase, dextranase, esterase, nitroreductase, cyclodextranase, etc.). The present review includes varius prodrug approaches investigated for colon drug delivery and their site specificity.

Animals↗

Macromolecular prodrugs. XVI. Colon-targeted delivery--comparison of the rate of release of naproxen from dextran ester prodrugs in homogenates of various segments of the pig gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

We have determined initial rates of naproxen formation from dextran-naproxen ester prodrugs incubated in homogenates of various segments of the pig GI tract. Drug liberation proceeded 15-17 times faster in cecum and colon homogenates than in aqueous pH 7.4 buffer or homogenates of the small intestine. The degree of conjugate substitution did not affect the liberation rates, whereas enhanced drug activation was observed with decreasing molecular size of the carrier dextran. During incubation in colon homogenates the average molecular weight of the dextran prodrugs decreased. The mechanism of drug activation from the prodrugs may therefore involve an initial depolymerization step of the dextran chains by dextranases secreted from bacteria in the pig colon. The generated small fragments then serve as substrates for esterases and other hydrolases.

Animals↗

The in vitro characterization and biostability of 99mTc-dextran and its accumulation within the inflamed paws of adjuvant-induced arthritic rats.

The in vitro and in vivo stability in normal and adjuvant-induced arthritic rats of 99mTc-dextrans (10, 40 and 500 kDa) have been investigated. The circulation half-lives were molecular weight dependent, with 10 and 40 kDa fractions being cleared relatively rapidly due to their ability to cross the glomerular basement membrane. The 500 kDa dextran was eliminated more slowly although 79% had been removed from the circulation 4 h post injection which probably was due to its degradation by dextranases and subsequent glomerular excretion. Dextran accumulation by the RES was found to be similar for all molecular weight preparations with no significant differences found. The sequestration of the dextrans by tissues of the RES (liver, spleen and lung) was independent of clearance rate. No differences were seen between normal and arthritic groups. Accumulation of the polymers by inflamed paws greatly exceeded that of normal paws for the 10 kDa (5-fold) and 500 kDa (6-fold) although no differences were seen with the 40 kDa dextran.

Animals↗

Carbohydrase activities in the bovine digestive tract.

1. The carbohydrase activities of homogenates of mucosa from the abomasum, small intestine, caecum and colon, and of the pancreas of cattle were studied. 2. The disaccharidase activities were located mainly in the small intestine and showed a non-uniform pattern of distribution along the small intestine; trehalase activity was highest in the proximal part, lactase and cellobiase activities were highest in the proximal and middle parts and maltase activity was highest in the distal part. 3. The intestinal lactase and cellobiase activities were highest in the young calf and decreased with age, whereas the intestinal maltase and trehalase activities, which were very low compared with the lactase activity, did not change with age. 4. No intestinal sucrase or palatinase activity was detected in the calf or in the adult cow. 5. Homogenates of intestinal mucosa also exhibited amylase and dextranase activity. 6. Homogenates of the pancreas possessed a strong amylase activity and a weak maltase activity. The maltase activity did not change with age, whereas the amylase activity increased with age. 7. No marked differences were observed between the carbohydrase activities of calves fed solely on milk and those of calves given a concentrate-hay diet from 6 weeks of age.

Abomasum↗

Purification of the major endoglucanase from Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius.

Aspergillus fumigatus (Fresenius), IMI 246651, A.T.C.C. 46324, produces two beta-glucosidase enzymes, cotton-solubilizing activity, xylanase and endoglucanase enzymes which can be separated by gel-filtration chromatography. The major endoglucanase does not bind to concanavalin A-Sepharose and does not stain with periodic acid/Schiff reagent. It is homogeneous on polyacrylamide isoelectric focusing (pI = 7.1) and has a mol.wt. of 12500 by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The endoglucanase produces glucose and a mixture of oligosaccharides from cellulose; the purified enzyme has a small dextranase activity. It is stable at 50 degrees C and pH 6.

Aspergillus fumigatus↗

Molecular cloning and heterologous expression of the isopullulanase gene from Aspergillus niger A.T.C.C. 9642.

Isopullulanase (IPU) from Aspergillus niger A.T.C.C. (American Type Culture Collection) 9642 hydrolyses pullulan to isopanose. IPU is important for the production of isopanose and is used in the structural analysis of oligosaccharides with alpha-1,4 and alpha-1,6 glucosidic linkages. We have isolated the ipuA gene encoding IPU from the filamentous fungi A. niger A.T.C.C. 9642. The ipuA gene encodes an open reading frame of 1695 bp (564 amino acids). IPU contained a signal sequence of 19 amino acids, and the molecular mass of the mature form was calculated to be 59 kDa. IPU has no amino-acid-sequence similarity with the other pullulan-hydrolysing enzymes, which are pullulanase, neopullulanase and glucoamylase. However, IPU showed a high amino-acid-sequence similarity with dextranases from Penicillium minioluteum (61%) and Arthrobacter sp. (56%). When the ipuA gene was expressed in Aspergillus oryzae, the expressed protein (recombinant IPU) had IPU activity and was immunologically reactive with antibodies raised against native IPU. The substrate specificity, thermostability and pH profile of recombinant IPU were identical with those of the native enzyme, but recombinant IPU (90 kDa) was larger than the native enzyme (69-71 kDa). After deglycosylation with peptide-N-glycosidase F, the deglycosylated recombinant IPU had the same molecular mass as deglycosylated native enzyme (59 kDa). This result suggests that the carbohydrate chain of recombinant IPU differed from that of the native enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Transcription-translation and translation-messenger RNA decay coupling: separate mechanisms for different messengers.

Antibiotics were used to inhibit protein synthesis at specific steps in the biosynthetic pathway. In this way, it was possible to study the coupling of protein synthesis to the accumulation of biologically active mRNA in T4-infected Escherichia coli. Functional mRNA for the phage enzymes deoxynucleotide kinase (EC 2.7.4.4; ATP: nucleoside monophosphate phosphotransferase or nucleosidemonophosphate kinase) and alpha-glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.5; 1, 4-alpha-D-glucan: 1, 6-alpha-D-glucan 6-alpha-glucosyltransferase or dextrin dextranase) accumulated during inhibition of protein synthesis irrespective of the step in the synthesis of protein that was blocked. Under these conditions, however, the rate of mRNA synthesis for both enzymes was significantly inhibited. In contrast, the rate of degradation of these mRNAs was markedly dependent on the step in protein synthesis that was inhibited. That is, the site for mRNase action was different for each message. The most important step in protein synthesis required for the stability of deoxynucleotide kinase mRNA is the initiation step. A single ribosome bound to the 5' end of the deoxynucleotide kinase mRNA can stabilize the molecule. On the other hand, the initiation event does not seem to be important for stabilizing the alpha-glucosyltransferase mRNA. Instead, a high ribosome denisty on the alpha-glucosyltransferase messenger is required to achieve significant stability. Therefore, in studying messenger metabolism, it is important to focus on the functional stability of specific mRNAs instead of on total messenger since each mRNA can be metabolized differently.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

IgM antibodies induce the production of antibodies of the same specificity.

Injection in normal mice of IgM antibodies against sheep erythrocytes or dextran, in the form of an immune serum depleted og IgG, induces direct plaque-forming cells of the same specificity as the injected antibodies. The response is 10--70 times higher than the background plaque-forming cell titer of untreated control mice. Nanogram amounts of IgM induce a detectable response, and a ceiling is reached with a few hundred nanograms of monoclonal IgM. The inducing agent is not residual antigen: (i) treatment of the injected material and the recipients with dextranase abolishes the immunogenicity of dextran, but not the response to anti-dextran IgM; (ii) monoclonal IgM specific for sheep erythrocytes or trinitrophenyl likewise induces plaque-forming cells of the respective specificity, but variant hybridoma products (in which the light chain is that of the myeloma parent) are inactive. In normal mice, IgM-induced antibody responses were observed with antibodies to both thymus-dependent and thymus-independent antigens, but such could not be induced in athymic (nude) mice. Because the mechanism underlying this phenomenon would operate also in a normal immune response and, presumably, in the normal dynamic state of the immune system of unstimulated animals, a network regulation among the elements of the immune system itself is implied.

Animals↗

A facile purification of Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-512FM dextransucrase.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F has been mutated by treatment with N-nitrosoguanidine. The resulting mutant (designated as B-512FM) produces 300 times as much enzyme as the parent strain. B-512FM dextransucrase was treated extensively with Sigma crude dextranase, followed by column chromatography on Bio-Gel A-5m. The purified dextransucrase had a specific activity of 84 IU/mg, a 100-fold purification with 42% yield, and was shown by SDS-PAGE to have a single protein of molecular weight of 158,000 with dextransucrase activity. The procedure has been used to produce purified enzyme for sequencing. The molecular weight of 158,000 agrees with that calculated from its amino acid sequence.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Synthesis and properties of dextran-nalidixic acid ester as a colon-specific prodrug of nalidixic acid.

Dextran-nalidixic acid ester (dextran-NA) with a varied degree of substitution (DS) was synthesized as a colon-specific prodrug of nalidixic acid (NA). Solubility in water (mg/ml) of dextran-NA with DS (mg NA/100 mg dextran-NA) of 7, 19, or 32 was 57.57 (equivalent to 4.00 mg NA/ml), 0.53 (equivalent to 0.10 mg NA/ml), or 0.03 (equivalent to 0.01 mg NA/ml), respectively, and that for NA was 0.03 at 25 degrees C. To ensure the chemical stability of dextran-NA at conditions similar to those of the stomach and small intestine, dextran-NA was placed in a solution of pH 1.2 hydrochloric acid buffer or pH 6.8 phosphate buffer and incubated at 37 degrees C; no NA was detected during the 6 h of the incubation period, which indicated that dextran-NA might be chemically stable during the transit through the gastrointestinal tract. Degree of depolymerization (%) by dextranase determined by the 2,4-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method at 37 degrees C for dextran-NA with DS of 7, 19, or 32 was 81, 68, or 8, respectively, in 8 h, and that for dextran was 91. When dextran-NA (equivalent to 50 microg of NA) with a DS of 7 or 17 was incubated with cecal contents (100 mg) of rats at 37 degrees C, the extent of NA released in 24 h was 41% or 32% of the dose, respectively. NA was not liberated from the incubation of dextran-NA with the homogenate of tissue and contents of the small intestine.

Animals↗