Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Isothiocyanates”

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 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

Dose-response assessment of airborne methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) following a metam sodium spill.

A tank car derailment in northern California in 1991 spilled metam sodium into the Sacramento River, and released its breakdown product, methyl isothiocyanate (MITC), into the air. This paper describes the risk evaluation process used. Over 240 individuals reported symptoms such as eye and throat irritation, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Reference exposure levels (RELs) for 1 hr were developed for MITC and compared to exposure concentrations. Ocular irritation in cats was the most sensitive endpoint reported. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL), divided by an uncertainty factor (UF) of 100, produced an REL of 0.5 ppb of MITC in air to prevent discomfort. An REL to prevent disability was estimated to be 40 ppb. An REL to prevent life-threatening injury was estimated to be 150 ppb. Measured MITC levels ranged from 0.2-37 ppb and estimated peak levels ranged from 140-1600 ppb. The usefulness of RELs for emergency planning is discussed.

Accidents↗

Novel use of guanidinium isothiocyanate in the isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA from clinical material.

Nucleic acid amplification technologies offer great promise for the rapid, sensitive and specific diagnosis of tuberculosis. However, the isolation of inhibitor-free DNA from biological specimens is a bottleneck of the PCR assay. Here we describe a simple method for the isolation of PCR-amplifiable DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from all types of samples of pulmonary and extrapulmonary origin tested. Briefly, it involves concentration of the bacilli by high-speed centrifugation, removal of PCR inhibitors by a wash solution containing guanidinium isothiocyanate and the release of bacterial DNA by heating in the presence of detergents and Chelex-100 resin. The entire process is accomplished within approximately 3 h. The method has been validated on 780 samples of human, bovine and guinea pig origin including sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, pulmonary fluids, pus, fine needle aspirate, tissue, blood and milk.

Animals↗

In situ labelling of bone marrow lymphocytes with fluorescein isothiocyanate for lymphocyte migration studies in pigs.

In normal young pigs, the femoral artery and vein were cannulated and after occluding other vessels to one hind leg they were connected to an extracorporeal perfusion system. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was added to the perfusate to selectively label cells in the bone marrow. Large numbers (approximately 0.9 X 10(9] of labelled lymphocytes left the bone marrow of one leg within 1 d and migrated via the blood to the bone marrow in other bones, lymph nodes, spleen, Peyer's patches and even into the thymus. On average 1.7% of the lymphocytes in the blood and about 1% within the spleen were labelled. Peyer's patches and the thymus showed very low indices. Thus the bone marrow is an integral part of the migratory route of lymphocytes. Selective labelling of bone marrow cells in their normal microenvironment with FITC is a suitable method for studies of cell migration from the bone marrow.

Animals↗

In vivo pharmacokinetics and regulation of gene expression profiles by isothiocyanate sulforaphane in the rat.

Sulforaphane (SUL) is one member of the isothiocyanate class of cancer chemopreventive compounds that has been shown to be effective in blocking initiation and progression of carcinogenesis. Previously, many studies have shown that SUL can potently induce phase II detoxifying enzymes, which contributes to its chemopreventive functions. In this study, we used 4967 oligonucleotides microarray to assess the genes that are modulated by SUL in in vivo rat livers, as well as time course of expression of these genes. The pharmacokinetics of SUL was assessed after oral dose of 50 micromol of SUL. The plasma concentration occurred at 1 h and peaked around 20 microM at 4 h after dosing and declined with a half-life of about 2.2 h. Analysis of the gene expression data found various clusters of genes that are important in cellular defense mechanisms and cell cycle regulation. The most robust cluster of genes is the metallothionein-like genes (MT-1/2 and MT-1a), which are increased up to 10-fold by 2 to 4 h after SUL dosing. The second cluster of genes is the glutathione S-transferase-A3-like genes, which include aflatoxin B1 aldehyde reductase and aldehyde oxidase. These genes are increased slightly by 4 h and peaked at 12 h. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to authenticate the mRNA expression of some of these genes. In summary, this in vivo study of SUL provides the first clue as to the plasma concentrations of SUL, in vivo mitogen-activated protein kinase activations in rat livers, as well as what other genes are modulated in addition to phase II detoxifying genes. The results from this study may yield better insights for its chemopreventive functions.

Animals↗

Isolation of intact high-molecular-weight DNA by using guanidine isothiocyanate.

A method for obtaining high-molecular-weight chromosomal DNA from Bacteroides intermedius and Bacteroides gingivalis is described. This technique is a modification of the guanidine isothiocyanate isolation procedure for RNA and should be useful for isolating intact DNA from organisms with high endogenous nuclease activity.

Bacteroides↗

Rapid and simple method for double staining of bacteria with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antibodies.

Bacteria were either heat fixed on microscope slides or filtered with 0.2 micron-pore-size Nuclepore filters. The samples were stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) for total staining and with polyvalent rabbit antibodies and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated swine anti-rabbit antibodies for specific staining. By switching between two different optical filter packages in the microscope, only one sample was needed for determining both total and specific counts of bacteria. False-positive counts and other artifacts that occur with antibody staining were easily distinguished when individual fluorescent particles were checked for DAPI fluorescence. The method for applying the general stain to membrane filters was performed quickly and simply by using a DAPI-soaked polypropylene filter that lay beneath the Nuclepore filter which collected the sample.

Animals↗

Elimination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from fermented dry sausages at an organoleptically acceptable level of microencapsulated allyl isothiocyanate.

Four sausage batters (17.59% beef, 60.67% pork, and 17.59% pork fat) were inoculated with two commercial starter culture organisms (>7 log(10) CFU/g Pediococcus pentosaceus and 6 log(10) CFU/g Staphylococcus carnosus) and a five-strain cocktail of nonpathogenic variants of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to yield 6 to 7 log(10) CFU/g. Microencapsulated allyl isothiocyanate (AIT) was added to three batters at 500, 750, or 1,000 ppm to determine its antimicrobial effects. For sensory analysis, separate batches with starter cultures and 0, 500, or 750 ppm microencapsulated AIT were produced. Sausages were fermented at < or =26 degrees C and 88% relative humidity (RH) for 72 h. Subsequently sausages were dried at 75% RH and 13 degrees C for at least 25 days. The water activity (a(w)), pH, and levels of starter cultures, E. coli O157:H7, and total bacteria were monitored during fermentation and drying. All sausages showed changes in the initial pH from 5.57 to 4.89 and in a(w) from 0.96 to 0.89 by the end of fermentation and drying, respectively. Starter culture numbers were reduced during sausage maturation, but there was no effect of AIT on meat pH reduction. E. coli O157:H7 was reduced by 6.5 log(10) CFU/g in sausages containing 750 and 1,000 ppm AIT after 21 and 16 days of processing, respectively. E. coli O157:H7 numbers were reduced by 4.75 log(10) CFU/g after 28 days of processing in treatments with 500 ppm AIT, and the organism was not recovered from this treatment beyond 40 days. During sensory evaluation, sausages containing 500 ppm AIT were considered acceptable although slightly spicy by panelists.

Animals↗

Detection of rubella virus-specific immunoglobulin G in saliva by an amplification-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibody to fluorescein isothiocyanate.

An immunoglobulin G (IgG)-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for rubella virus is described. The assay uses a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-anti-FITC amplification system. The detection limit of the ELISA was approximately 7 IU of rubella virus-specific IgG per ml of serum sample. For saliva samples the performances of the capture ELISA and previously described radioimmunoassay were assessed, and the results of those two assays were compared to the rubella virus-specific IgG result obtained by a commercial ELISA (Behring Enzygnost) with a panel of paired serum and saliva samples. This comparison showed that the capture ELISA with saliva was more sensitive than the radioimmunoassay and that the results correlated better with the serum IgG result than the results of the radioimmunoassay did, with an overall sensitivity of 82% and a rank correlation of 0.68, whereas the sensitivity and rank correlation for the radioimmunoassay were 74% and 0.45, respectively. For subjects of 10 years of age or younger, the ELISA with saliva had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 100% compared to the results of the ELISA (Behring Enzygnost) for rubella virus-specific IgG with corresponding serum samples. The sensitivity was much lower for subjects ages 17 years or older. The assay may have wider epidemiological use with saliva specimens, particularly those from children.

Adolescent↗

Extending the cardioprotective window using a novel delta-opioid agonist fentanyl isothiocyanate via the PI3-kinase pathway.

Selective delta-opioid agonists produce delayed cardioprotection that lasts for 24-48 h in rats; however, the maximum length of the cardioprotective window is unclear. In this study, we attempted to prolong the cardioprotective window using a unique delta-opioid agonist, fentanyl isothiocyanate (FIT), which binds irreversibly to the delta-receptor, and determined the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway as a trigger or end effector of FIT-induced cardioprotection. Initially, male rats were administered FIT (10 microg/kg) 10 min before hearts were subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion followed by infarct size (IS) assessment. Acute FIT administration reduced IS when given before ischemia, 5 min before reperfusion, or 10 s after reperfusion compared with control. IS reduction also occurred following a single dose of FIT at 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after administration vs. control, with the maximum effect observed at 96 h. FIT-induced IS reduction at 96 h was completely abolished when the irreversible PI3K inhibitor wortmannin (15 microg/kg) was given before FIT during the trigger phase; however, the effect was only partially abrogated when wortmannin was given 96 h later. These data suggest that FIT has a prolonged cardioprotective window greater than that of any previously described cardioprotective agent that requires PI3K primarily in the trigger phase but also partially, as a mediator or end effector.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

A link between benzyl isothiocyanate-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis: involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases in the Bcl-2 phosphorylation.

In the present study, we clarified the molecular mechanism underlying the relationship between benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC)-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The exposure of Jurkat human T-cell leukemia cells to BITC resulted in the inhibition of the G(2)-M progression that coincided with the apoptosis induction. The experiment using the phase-specific synchronized cells demonstrated that the G(2)-M phase-arrested cells are more sensitive to undergoing apoptotic stimulation by BITC than the cells in other phases. We also confirmed that BITC activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase, at the concentration required for apoptosis induction. An experiment using a JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 or a p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190 indicated that BITC-induced apoptosis might be regulated by the activation of these two kinases. Conversely, BITC is likely to confine the Jurkat cells in the G(2)-M phase mainly through the p38 MAPK pathway because only the p38 MAPK inhibitor significantly attenuated the accumulation of inactive phosphorylated Cdc2 protein and the G(2)-M-arrested cell numbers. We reported here for the first time that the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein was phosphorylated by the BITC treatment without significant alteration of the Bcl-2 total protein amount. This was abrogated by a JNK specific inhibitor SP600125 at the concentration required for specific inhibition of the c-Jun phosphorylation. Moreover, the spontaneous phosphorylation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 in the G(2)-M synchronized cells was enhanced synergistically by the BITC treatment. Involvement of the MAPK activation in the Bcl-2 phosphorylation and apoptosis induction also was observed in HL-60 and HeLa cells. Thus, we identified the phosphorylated Bcl-2 as a key molecule linking the p38 MAPK-dependent cell cycle arrest with the JNK activation by BITC.

Apoptosis↗

Combined inhibitory effects of curcumin and phenethyl isothiocyanate on the growth of human PC-3 prostate xenografts in immunodeficient mice.

Earlier studies using prostate cancer cells in culture showed that phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and curcumin have significant chemopreventive and possibly chemotherapeutic effects. However, their in vivo effects are still lacking. Hence, this study was undertaken to determine the possible in vivo efficacy of prostate cancer-prevention as well as cancer-therapeutic treatment by PEITC and curcumin alone or in combination. We evaluated the effects on tumor growth in vivo, using NCr immunodeficient (nu/nu) mice bearing s.c. xenografts of PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. Molecular biomarkers representing proliferation and apoptosis were determined. Continued i.p. injection of curcumin or PEITC (6 and 5 mumol; thrice a week for 28 days), beginning a day before tumor implantation significantly retarded the growth of PC-3 xenografts. Combination of i.p. administration of PEITC (2.5 mumol) and curcumin (3 mumol) showed stronger growth-inhibitory effects. Next, we evaluated the cancer-therapeutic potential of curcumin and PEITC in mice with well-established tumors, and the results showed that PEITC or curcumin alone had little effect, whereas combination of curcumin and PEITC significantly reduced the growth of PC-3 xenografts. Immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot analysis revealed that the inhibition of Akt and nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathways could contribute to the inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. Taken together, our results show that PEITC and curcumin alone or in combination possess significant cancer-preventive activities in the PC-3 prostate tumor xenografts. Furthermore, we found that combination of PEITC and curcumin could be effective in the cancer-therapeutic treatment of prostate cancers.

Animals↗

Caspase-dependent apoptosis induction by phenethyl isothiocyanate, a cruciferous vegetable-derived cancer chemopreventive agent, is mediated by Bak and Bax.

PURPOSE: The present study was undertaken to gain insights into the molecular mechanism of apoptosis induction by phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) using prostate cancer cell lines derived from transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice (TRAMP-C1 and TRAMP-C2). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND RESULTS: The viability of TRAMP-C1 and TRAMP-C2 cells was reduced significantly in the presence of PEITC in a concentration-dependent manner as determined by sulforhodamine B and trypan blue dye exclusion assays. Treatment of TRAMP-derived cells with PEITC revealed features characteristic of apoptosis induction, including appearance of subdiploid cells (determined by flow cytometry), cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragmentation (determined by an ELISA assay), and cleavage of caspase-3 (determined by immunoblotting). The PEITC-induced apoptosis in TRAMP-derived cells was associated with a marked increase in the level of proapoptotic protein Bak and/or a decrease in the levels of antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1 or Bcl-xL and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. The SV40 immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from Bak and Bax double knockout mice were significantly more resistant to PEITC-induced DNA fragmentation compared with wild-type or Bak-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The PEITC-induced apoptosis in both cell lines was significantly attenuated in the presence of caspase inhibitors zVAD-fmk, zLEHD-fmk, and zIETD-fmk. Oral administration of PEITC (9 or 12 micromol PEITC/d, Monday-Friday) significantly retarded growth of TRAMP-C1 xenografts in nude mice without causing weight loss or any other side effects. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that caspase-dependent apoptosis by PEITC is mediated by Bak and Bax proteins.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Mechanism of action of isothiocyanates: the induction of ARE-regulated genes is associated with activation of ERK and JNK and the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2.

The up-regulation of phase II detoxifying and stress-responsive genes is believed to play an important role in cancer prevention, and many natural compounds have been shown to be potent inducers of these genes. Previous studies showed that the antioxidant responsive element (ARE), found in these genes, can be bound by the transcription factor Nrf2, and is responsive to the activation by chemopreventive compounds and by oxidative stress. In the present study, we investigated the roles of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun-NH(2)-kinase (JNK) in the regulation of phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)-induced and Nrf2-dependent ARE activity and ARE-driven heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression in PC-3 cells. ARE activity and HO-1 expression were strongly increased after treatment with PEITC. PEITC also increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 and caused release of Nrf2 from sequestration by Keap1, and its subsequent translocation into the nucleus. Importantly, Nrf2 was also translocated into the nucleus after transfection with ERK or JNK and that these activated ERK and JNK colocalized with Nrf2 in the nucleus. Activation of ERK and JNK signaling also resulted in the elevation of ARE activity and HO-1 expression. Importantly, PEITC-induced ARE activity was attenuated by inhibition of ERK and JNK signaling. In vitro kinase assays showed that both ERK2 and JNK1 could directly phosphorylate glutathione S-transferase-Nrf2 protein. Taken together, these results strongly suggest a model in which PEITC treatment of PC-3 cells activates ERK and JNK, which, in turn, phosphorylate Nrf2 and induce its translocation to the nucleus. Nuclear Nrf2 activates ARE elements and induces expression of stress-responsive genes, including HO-1.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Benzyl isothiocyanate-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells is initiated by reactive oxygen species and regulated by Bax and Bak.

Epidemiologic studies have revealed an inverse correlation between dietary intake of cruciferous vegetables and the risk of breast cancer. We now show that cruciferous vegetable constituent benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) effectively suppresses growth of cultured human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) by causing G(2)-M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. On the other hand, a normal mammary epithelial cell line (MCF-10A) is significantly more resistant to growth arrest and apoptosis by BITC compared with breast cancer cells. The BITC-mediated cell cycle arrest was associated with a decrease in levels of proteins involved in regulation of G(2)-M transition, including cyclin B1, cyclin-dependent kinase 1, and cell division cycle 25C. The BITC-induced apoptosis correlated with induction of proapoptotic proteins Bax (MCF-7) and Bak (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and down-regulation of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL (MDA-MB-231). The SV40-immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from Bax and Bak double knockout mice were significantly more resistant to BITC-induced DNA fragmentation compared with wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The BITC treatment caused rapid disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to cytosolic release of apoptogenic molecules, which was accompanied by formation of autophagosome-like structures as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. The BITC-mediated apoptosis was associated with generation of reactive oxygen species and cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-8, and caspase-3. Apoptosis induction by BITC was significantly attenuated in the presence of a combined superoxide dismutase and catalase mimetic EUK134 as well as caspase inhibitors. In conclusion, the present study reveals a complex signaling leading to growth arrest and apoptosis induction by BITC.

Animals↗

Paradoxical effects of isothiocyanate analog of tolazoline on rat aorta and human platelets.

The isothiocyanate analog (IBI) of tolazoline produced contraction of the rat aortic strip, with an ED50 value of 1.63 x 10(-5) M. The maximum contraction of the analog was nearly equal to that of tolazoline or phenylephrine. At 27 degrees C the tissue reactivity of phenylephrine and IBI was similar. When compared at equiactive concentrations, the total duration of contraction of IBI was three times longer than that of tolazoline. Thus, the longer duration of action of IBI may be attributed to the S=C=N group substitution of the molecule. IBI at 10(-6) M shifted the dose-response curve of phenylephrine to the right with reduction in maxima. Phentolamine and other alpha 1 or alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers failed to block the responses of IBI in aorta, whereas verapamil or nifedipine blocked the response significantly. It appears that IBI is acting through calcium-channel-sensitive or calcium-receptor-related mechanism(s). In aspirin-treated platelets from human plasma, a distinct phase of aggregation induced by epinephrine can be blocked by IBI with KB of 2 x 10(-5) M. This indicates a small but selective alpha 2 related action of IBI. The aggregation induced by ADP or second component of aggregation induced by epinephrine were also blocked by IBI at concentrations comparable to that of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated response. This indicates a lack of specificity of IBI in differentiating various phases of aggregation. Therefore, as compared to tolazoline, IBI presents an interesting paradox in its interaction with various receptors or mechanisms in the vascular tissue and platelets.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Maintenance of platelet viability after platelet-labeling with fluorescein isothiocyanate.

Possible effects of an ex vivo fluorescent labeling procedure of blood platelets on the platelet viability were examined by different function tests. The degree of the impairment of the platelet function proved to be principally correlated with the dye concentration used during the labeling procedure. However, the physiological properties of the labeled platelets obviously remain unrestricted by using intraplatelet fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) concentrations below 0.55 mg/10(11) platelets, corresponding to 8.5 X 10(6) FITC molecules bound to one platelet. A procedure for fluorescent labeling of blood platelets is described which is considered to be preferably suitable to prepare platelets for vital microscopic platelet observations.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Fluorescein isothiocyanate as a cell marker for tracing lymphocyte circulation in sheep.

The use of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) as a cell marker in ovine lymphocyte circulation studies was investigated. The effects of the label on lymphocyte function were assessed by lymphocyte blastogenesis, cell-mediated cytotoxicity and normal lymphocyte transfer reactions. Labelling lymphocytes in 0.05 mg FITC/ml for 10 min at 37 degrees C was found to be optimum. Circulation kinetics of FITC-labelled efferent lymph lymphocytes were monitored as they disappeared from peripheral blood following intravenous infusion and reappeared in the efferent lymphatic duct of the popliteal lymph node. No functional changes were detected in lymphocytes labelled with the optimal regimen.

Animals↗

Quantitative microscopy of hepatic changes induced by phenethyl isothiocyanate in Fischer-344 rats fed either a cereal-based diet or a purified diet.

Hepatic changes induced by phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) in the liver of rats were determined by quantitative microscopy. Groups of male Fischer-344 rats were fed either a standard, cereal-based diet (Wayne rodent meal) or a purified diet (AIN-76A) containing PEITC at concentrations of 0.75 and 6.0 mmol/kg for 13 wk. Severe hepatic lipidosis was observed in control rats fed the purified diet. Addition of PEITC to the purified diet significantly reduced lipid content in hepatocytes. In contrast, lipid content in the liver of the rats fed the cereal-based diet containing PEITC was greater than in control rats maintained on the same diet. In addition, dose-related reductions in hepatocyte, lipid droplet, peroxisome, and mitochondrial volumes were observed in PEITC-treated rats fed the cereal-based diet. These results indicate that PEITC exerts differential effects on the liver of rats fed either the cereal-based or purified diet.

Animals↗