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[Influence of process methods on contents of chemical component Radix Polygoni Multiflori].

Different methods of processing Radix Polygoni Multiflori and the change of chemical components including emodin, physcion, 2,3,5,4'-stilbene glucoside, and tannin were investigated. The dried roots of polygoni were processed in different ways, such as, steamed with black bean sauce, steamed with water, stewed with black bean sauce, and stewed with black bean sauce at high pressure, for h and 36 h, respectively. The process stewing with black bean sauce was also investigated for 12, 24, 36 h, and 48 h, respectively. The results indicated that 2,3,5,4'-stilbene glucoside and total free anthraquinones varied in different processes. In the process of black bean sauce stewing, the content of 2,3,5,4'-stilbene glucoside decreased with processing time, reached 17% of original at 48 h. The content of tannin and combined and free anthraquinones also decreased with processing time. It was concluded, therefore, that the processing of Radix Polygoni Multiflori should be standardized to avoid significant variation of chemical contents.

Emodin↗

Structure-activity relationship of trans-resveratrol and its analogues.

Cancer is one of the main causes of death in both men and women, claiming over 6 million people each year worldwide. Chemoprevention in combination with anti-cancer treatment is therefore important to reduce morbidity and mortality. Stilbene-based compounds have over the years attracted attention of many researchers due to their wide ranging biological activities. One of the most relevant and extensively studied stilbenes is trans-resveratrol, a phytoalexin present in grapes and other foods. One of the most striking biological activities of trans-resveratrol soundly investigated during recent years has been its cancer-chemopreventive potential. It has been found that the biological activity of trans-resveratrol and its analogues depends significantly on the structural determinants, which are (i) number and position of hydroxyl groups, (ii) intramolecular hydrogen bonding, (iii) stereoisomery and (iv) double bond. The observation that trans-stilbene compounds having 4 -hydroxy group, double bond and bearing ortho-diphenoxyl or para-diphenoxyl functionalities possess remarkably higher chemopreventive activity than trans-resveratrol gives us useful information for further chemopreventive drug design.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Oxygen transfer from bleomycin-metal complexes.

Both Fe(III) and Cu(II) complexes of bleomycin (BLM), but not N-acetyl BLM . Fe(III), mediated the transfer of oxygen from iodosobenzene to organic substrates. In analogy with results obtained using certain cytochrome P-450 analogs, cis-stilbene was converted cleanly to the respective oxide, while no more than traces of trans-stilbene oxide were formed from trans-stilbene under identical conditions. The possible relevance of these observations to the degradation of DNA by bleomycin was also studied. In both the presence and absence of O2, BLM . Cu(II) . C6H5IO effected DNA degradation, as judged by the release of [3H]thymine from radiolabeled Escherichia coli DNA. These findings provide a valuable new assay system for the study of bleomycin analogs and suggest the possibility that bleomycin may function as an "oxygen transferase" in its degradation of DNA in situ.

Bleomycin↗

A mechanism for epoxidation of cholesterol by hepatic microsomal lipid hydroperoxides.

Evidence was obtained, using cis-stilbene as a model substrate, for the participation of peroxy and/or oxy radicals in epoxidation of cholesterol by rat liver microsomal phospholipid hydroperoxides and a ferrous ion-ADP complex. Under the conditions used, cholesterol was epoxidised to the alpha- and beta-epoxides in the ratio 1:2-4, and cis-stilbene to trans-stilbene oxide without concomitant formation of the cis-oxide. Microsomal phospholipid hydroperoxides could be replaced with methyllinoleate monohydroperoxide for the epoxidation of both substrates. The hydroperoxide-mediated epoxidations were completely inhibited by alpha-tocopherol and t-butylhydroxyanisole. A GLC study suggested that highly polyunsaturated fatty acyl constituents of the microsomal phospholipids might play an important role in epoxidation of the olefinic substrates.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

[Inhibition of protein kinase C by stilbenoids].

The effect of 15 stilbenoids on protein kinase C (PKC) was studied in order to search for naturally occurring PKC inhibitors. All these compounds were isolated from Chinese medicines. Three oligomeric stilbenes from Caragana sinica, alpha-viniferin, kobophenol A and miyabenol C, were shown to intensely inhibit the activity of partially purified rat brain PKC with IC50 values of 62.5, 52.0, and 27.5 mumol.L-1, respectively. Kinetic analyses revealed that that inhibition was noncompetitive. The other compounds also showed the effect. Monomer stilbenes exhibited PKC inhibitory activity at higher mumol.L-1 concentrations than oligomeric stilbenes. Whenever they are methylated or acetylated perfectly, the inhibition weakens or disappears.

Animals↗

1-(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylethanes--new biological response modifiers for the therapy of breast cancer. Synthesis and evaluation of estrogenic/antiestrogenic properties.

[meso-1,2-Bis(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]platinum(II) complexes (meso-1-PtLL'; L,L' = Cl or L = H2O and L' = OSO3) are highly effective towards hormone-sensitive, rodent breast cancers due to their significant estrogenic potencies. Their antitumor activities are caused by modification of the immune response. The pharmacophor of these compounds, the 1,2-bis(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane (23H), was used as the lead structure in a structure-activity study with the goal of finding new biological response modifiers for the therapy of breast cancer. As intermediates for the synthesis of the 23H derivatives, the CH3O-substituted stilbenes 12E/12Z-16E/16Z were prepared by reaction of the related benzyltriphenylphosphonium halides with 2,6-dichloro-4-methoxybenzaldehyde by the method of Wittig/Campbell and Donald, respectively. Separation of the E/Z-mixtures was performed by fractional crystallization and/or column chromatography. The E-1,2-bis(2,6-dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl)ethene (17E) was obtained by reductive coupling of 2,6-dichloro-4-methoxybenzaldehyde with TiCl4/Zn according to the method of Mukaiyama. Illumination of the solution of 17E in benzene with UV light resulted in an E/Z-isomerization. Compound 17Z could be isolated from this mixture. The CH3O-substituted stilbenes were transformed into their 1,2-diphenylethanes (12H-17H) by catalytic hydrogenation of the C1=C2 double bond. Ether cleavage of the compounds was performed with BBr3. In the estrogen receptor binding assay all OH-substituted 1,2-diphenylethanes showed affinity to the estrogen receptor, which was about two orders of magnitude lower than that of 17 beta-estradiol. In the uterus weight test on the immature mouse 1,2-diphenylethanes with 4-substituted OH groups proved to be "true" estrogens (19H: 2-F/4-OH; 20H: 2-Cl/4-OH; 23H: 2,6-Cl2/4-OH), while those with a 3-substituted OH group in the 2-phenyl ring showed the properties of a "partial" estrogen (18H: 3-OH) or of an "impeded" estrogen (21H: 2-Cl/3-OH; 22H: 2-Cl/5-OH). The latter also showed significant additional antiestrogenic activity. The related E-stilbenes mostly exhibit similar hormonal activities. As a rule, the replacement of the OH groups by the CH3O groups and the change from the E- to the Z-configuration led to a reduction of the estrogenic potencies. Several of the 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-phenylethenes (12E: 3-OCH3; 12Z: 3-OCH3; 15E: 2-Cl/3-OCH3; 15Z: 2-Cl/3-OCH3; 16E: 2-Cl/5-OCH3) produced antiestrogenic effects in the uterus weight test. It is supposed that those new 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylethanes endowed with marked estrogenic properties are also active as biological response modifiers in animals bearing hormone-sensitive breast cancer. The antiestrogenic derivatives presumably inhibit the breast cancer development by competing with tumor growth stimulating endogenous estrogens for the binding to the receptor. This is to be confirmed in a further study.

Animals↗

A [3]rotaxane with three stable states that responds to multiple-inputs and displays dual fluorescence addresses.

A [3]rotaxane molecular shuttle containing two alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) macrocycles, an azobenzene unit, a stilbene unit, and two different fluorescent naphthalimide units has been investigated. The azobenzene unit and the stilbene unit can be E/Z-photoisomerized separately by light excited at different wavelengths. Irradiation at 380 nm resulted in the photoisomerization of the azobenzene unit, leading to the formation of one stable state of the [3]rotaxane (Z1-NNAS-2CD); irradiation at 313 nm resulted in the photoisomerization of the stilbene unit, leading to the formation of another stable state of the [3]rotaxane (Z2-NNAS-2CD). The reversible conversion of the Z1 and Z2 isomers back to the E isomer by irradiation at 450 nm and 280 nm, respectively, is accompanied by recovery of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the [3]rotaxane. The E isomer and the two Z isomers have been characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The light stimuli can induce shuttling motions of the two alpha-CD macrocycles on the molecular thread; concomitantly, the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the [3]rotaxane change in a regular way. When the alpha-CD macrocycle stays close to the fluorescent moiety, the fluorescence of the moiety become stronger due to the rigidity of the alpha-CD ring. As the photoisomerization processes are fully reversible, the photo-induced shuttling motions of the alpha-CD rings can be repeated, accompanied by dual reversible fluorescence signal outputs. The potential application of such light-induced mechanical motions at the molecular level could provide some insight into the workings of a molecular machine with entirely optical signals, and could provide a cheap, convenient interface for communication between micro- and macroworlds.

Journal Article↗

Estimation of the absolute internal-rotation entropy of molecules with two torsional degrees of freedom from stochastic simulations.

A method of statistical estimation is applied to the problem of evaluating the absolute entropy of internal rotation in a molecule with two torsional degrees of freedom. The configurational part of the entropy is obtained as that of the joint probability density of an arbitrary form represented by a two-dimensional Fourier series, the coefficients of which are statistically estimated using a sample of the torsional angles of the molecule obtained by a stochastic simulation. The internal rotors in the molecule are assumed to be attached to a common frame, and their reduced moments of inertia are initially calculated as functions of the two torsional angles, but averaged over all the remaining internal degrees of freedom using the stochastic-simulation sample of the atomic configurations of the molecule. The torsional-angle dependence of the reduced moments of inertia can be also averaged out, and the absolute internal-rotation entropy of the molecule is obtained in a good approximation as the sum of the configurational entropy and a kinetic contribution fully determined by the averaged reduced moments of inertia. The method is illustrated using Monte Carlo simulations of isomers of stilbene and halogenated derivatives of propane. The two torsional angles in cis-stilbene are found to be much more strongly correlated than those in trans-stilbene, while the degree of the angular correlation in propane increases strongly on substitution of hydrogen atoms with chlorine.

Journal Article↗

Molecular analysis of chalcone and dihydropinosylvin synthase from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), and differential regulation of these and related enzyme activities in stressed plants.

Chalcone synthase (CHS) and stilbene synthase (STS) are closely related polyketide synthases which are key enzymes in the biosynthesis of flavonoids and stilbenes. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is an interesting plant for a direct comparison of the enzymes. It not only contains the usual flavonoids, but also an unusual chalcone derivative (pinocembrin), and it synthesizes stilbenes of the pinosylvin type. We analysed a CHS and a STS by molecular cloning and functional expression in Escherichia coli. The CHS was active not only with 4-coumaroyl-CoA (to naringenin chalcone), but also with cinnamoyl-CoA (leading to pinocembrin). The STS was identified as dihydropinosylvin synthase, because it preferred dihydrocinnamoyl-CoA to cinnamoyl-CoA. The protein deviated in 47 positions from the CHS consensus. It had 73.2% identity with the CHS from P. sylvestris and only 65.3% with a STS from peanut (Arachis hypogaea). We also investigated the regulation of both enzyme types in P. sylvestris plantlets exposed to stress. CHS was present in non-stressed plantlets, and induction led to a transient increase with a peak after 16 h. STS type activities were regulated differently and were absent in non-stressed plantlets. Increases were observed after a lag period of at least 6 h, and highest activities were obtained after 30 h. The analysis of the reactions in the plant extracts and the substrate specificity of the cloned STS indicate that the plants contain at least two different types of STS: the cloned dihydropinosylvin synthase and a pinosylvin synthase which preferentially utilizes cinnamoyl-CoA as substrate.

Acyltransferases↗

Small-conductance chloride channels in human peripheral T lymphocytes.

During whole-cell patch-clamp recording from normal (nontransformed) human T lymphocytes a chloride current spontaneously activated in > 98% of cells (n > 200) in the absence of applied osmotic or pressure gradients. However, some volume sensitivity was observed, as negative pressure pulses reduced the current. With iso-osmotic bath and pipette solutions the peak amplitude built up (time constant approximately 23 sec at room temperature), a variable-duration plateau phase followed, then the current ran down spontaneously (time constant approximately 280 sec). The anion permeability sequence, calculated from reversal potentials was I-, Br- > NO3-, Cl- > CH3SO3-, HCO3- > CH3COO- > F- > aspartate, gluconate, SO4(2-) and there was no measurable monovalent cation permeability. The Cl- current was independent of time during long voltage steps and there was no evidence of voltage-dependent gating; however, the current showed intrinsic outward rectification in symmetrical Cl- solutions. The conductance of the channels underlying the whole-cell current was calculated from fluctuation analysis, using power-spectral density and variance-vs.-mean analysis. Both methods yielded a single channel conductance of about 0.6 pS at -70 mV (close to the normal resting potential of T lymphocytes). The power spectral density function was best fit by the sum of two Lorentzian functions, with corner frequencies of 30 and 295 Hz, corresponding to mean open times of 0.54 and 5.13 msec. The pharmacological profile included rapid block by external application of flufenamic acid (50 microM), 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB, 100 microM), [6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-2,3- dihydro-2-methyl-1-oxo-1H-inden-5-yl)oxy] acetic acid (IAA-94, 250 microM) or 100 microM 1,9-dideoxyforskolin. The stilbene derivatives DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2' disulphonic acid stilbene, 500 microM) and SITS (4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyano-2,2'-disulphonic acid stilbene, 500 microM) prevented buildup of Cl- current after a 30-min preincubation at 500 microM. When tested in a mitogenic assay, DIDS, flufenamic acid, NPPB and IAA-94 all inhibited T-cell proliferation, suggesting a physiological function in addition to the observed volume sensitivity.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

Roles of volume-sensitive Cl- channel in cisplatin-induced apoptosis in human epidermoid cancer cells.

The anti-cancer drug cisplatin induces apoptosis by damaging DNA. Since a stilbene-derivative blocker of Cl-/HCO3- exchangers and Cl- channels, SITS, is known to induce cisplatin resistance in a manner independent of intracellular pH and extracellular HCO3-, we investigated the relation between cisplatin-induced apoptosis and Cl- channel activity in human adenocarcinoma KB cells. A stilbene derivative, DIDS, reduced cisplatin-induced caspase-3 activation and cell death, which were detected over 18 h after treatment with cisplatin. DIDS was also found to reduce sensitivity of KB cells to 5-day exposure to cisplatin. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that KB cells functionally express volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying (VSOR) Cl- channels which are activated by osmotic cell swelling and sensitive to DIDS. Pretreatment of the cells with cisplatin for 12 h augmented the magnitude of VSOR Cl- current. Thus, it is concluded that cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in KB cells is associated with augmented activity of a DIDS-sensitive VSOR Cl- channel and that blockade of this channel is, at least in part, responsible for cisplatin resistance induced by a stilbene derivative.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Localization and characterization of transport-related elements in the plasma membrane of turtle bladder epithelial cells.

A mixed membrane preparation obtained from turtle bladder epithelial cells contains (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, adenylate cyclase and protein kinase, which interact with ouabain, norepinephrine and cyclic AMP, respectively. When such a preparation is obtained from bladders which had been preexposed to serosal fluids containing the tritiated form of 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic stilbene, the subsequently isolated membrane proteins are enriched in tritium as well as in the afore-mentioned enzymes, none of which is inhibited. Free-flow electrophoresis separates the mixed membrane preparation into two distinguishable groups: one, construed as apical membranes, is enriched in norepinephrine-sensitive adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP-sensitive protein kinase; the other, construed as basal-lateral membranes, is enriched in ouabain-sensitive ATPase and 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic stilbene-binding proteins. The physiological counterparts of these enzymatically defined membrane markers are the mucosal sidedness of the transport effects of norepinephrine and cyclic AMP derivatives and the serosal sidedness of the transport effects of ouabain and disulfonic stilbenes in the intact turtle bladder. The discreteness and ion selectivity of each membrane-bound, transport-related element are discussed in relation to the corresponding characteristics of each transport process in vivo; the possibility of regulation of anion transport by adenylate cyclase-protein kinase system is also discussed.

4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfo↗

Mediated transport of anions in band 3-phospholipid vesicles.

Band 3 protein, extracted from human erythrocyte membranes by Triton X-100, was recombined with egg lecithin/cholesterol mixtures to form small unilamellar vesicles at a yield of 15-20%. These systems exhibited sulfate fluxes which were inhibitable by stilbene disulfonates and other inhibitors. Maximal inhibition could only be obtained when inhibitors were present at both membrane surfaces. Inhibitor constants I50 were higher than in the native membrane. Quantitatively, transport function was retained at least 60%, as related to the amount of protein involved. Sulfate transport in the recombinates resembled transport in the native membrane with respect to temperature dependence (Ea = 29-32 kcal/mol), pH dependence between pH 6.5 and 7.8, and the relationship between new and exchanges fluxes. In contrast to the native cell, concentration dependence was linear up to 80 mM sulfate, which may be indicative of a lowered affinity for the substrate. Lactate transport in these systems, although substantial, was insensitive to stilbene disulfonates as well as to mercurials, indicating that band 3 is not involved in the specific monocarboxylate transfer in the erythrocyte. Anion transport in band 3-lipid recombinates was insensitive to cholesterol between 0 and 27 mol%. Treatment with proteases, while not affecting transport per se, abolished sensitivity to stilbene disulfonate inhibitors. These observations indicate a number of disturbances of band 3 after recombination, in spite of a preservation of the major transport properties.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte↗

Characterization of distinct forms of cytochromes P-450, epoxide metabolizing enzymes and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases in rat skin.

Study of drug metabolizing enzyme activity was undertaken in skin microsomal and cytosolic fractions of male and female rats. The presence of several isoforms was revealed from their activities towards selected substrates and from their cross immunoreactivity using antibodies raised against purified hepatic or renal cytochromes P-450, epoxide hydrolase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases. Cytochrome P-450 content was precisely quantified by second derivative spectrophotometry, 23.1 and 16.5 pmol/mg protein in males and females, respectively. The monooxygenase activity associated to cytochromes P-450IIB1 and P-450IA1 was determined through O-dealkylation of ethoxy-; pentoxy- and benzoxyresorufin. The activity ranged between 4 and 2 nmol/min/mg protein for male and female rats, respectively. These results and Western blot analysis indicated that rat skin microsomes contain both monooxygenase systems associated with cytochromes P-450IIB1 and P-450IA1. By contrast lauric acid hydroxylation, supported by cytochrome P-450IVA1, was not detectable. Activities of epoxide metabolizing enzymes (microsomal and cytosolic epoxide hydrolases; glutathione S-transferase) were also characterized in skin. Microsomes catalysed the hydratation of benzo(a)pyrene-4,5-oxide and cis-stilbene oxide at the same extent, whatever the sex, although the specific activity was 10 times lower than in liver. The hydratation of trans-stilbene oxide by soluble epoxide hydrolase was four times lower than in the liver. Conjugation of cis-stilbene oxide with glutathione in skin and liver proceeded at essentially similar rates, as the specific activity of glutathione S-transferase in skin was only two times less than that measured in hepatic cytosol. Glucuronidation of 1-naphthol, bilirubin but not of testosterone could be followed in the microsomal fraction. Revelation by Western blot indicated that both the isoforms involved in conjugation of phenols and bilirubin were present in skin microsomes. By contrast, the isoform catalysing the conjugation of testosterone was apparently missing. When immunoblotting was carried out using specific antibodies raised against the renal isoforms, the same result was obtained. In addition, an intense staining corresponding to a 57 kD-protein was observed.

Animals↗

Pharmacological profile of inhibition of 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein efflux in human HCT-8 intestinal epithelial cells.

The efflux of 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) from human HCT-8 intestinal epithelial cultured cells was time-dependent, and after 5 hr 76% of the fluorochrome was extracellular. The pharmacological profile for inhibition of this efflux has been investigated, focusing on agents which modulate anion transport. BCECF efflux was sensitive to inhibition by 0.5 mM indomethacin (50% inhibition at 20 microM) which reduced efflux to values observed after depletion of ATP with azide and 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Indomethacin inhibition of BCECF efflux was not reversed with prostaglandin. The stilbene derivatives 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyano-2-2'-disulphonic stilbene and 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulphonic stilbene only resulted in partial inhibition of BCECF efflux, even at 1 mM. Furosemide, bumetamide, probenecid and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropyl-amino)-benzoate only reduced BCECF efflux at 1 mM. The cationic agent vinblastine was as active as indomethacin as an inhibitor of BCECF efflux (50% inhibition) with 10 microM) while actinomycin D was also a good inhibitor (50% inhibition with 100 microM). Several other cationic agents, including nifedipine, amiloride and reserpine, were ineffective as inhibitors of BCECF efflux in concentrations up to 1 mM. Thus, the pharmacological profile for inhibition of BCECF efflux does not fully equate with any recognised transport system. Agents such as cytochalasin B and chloroquine did not fully equate with any recognised transport system. Agents such as cytochalasin B and chloroquine did not effect BCECF efflux suggesting accumulation and subsequent discharge from endosomes is not a pathway for secretion. BCECF may be a substrate for a cellular secretory detoxifying system in epithelial cells.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Interactions of magnesium and chloride ions on tone and contractility of vascular muscle.

Replacement of extracellular chloride ions ([Cl-]o) by other anions, on contractility and the effects of extracellular magnesium ions ([Mg2+]o) on spontaneous mechanical activity, as well as on agonist-induced responses of rat aorta and portal vein, were studied. Replacement of [Cl-]o with acetate (Ac-) or isethionate (Ise-) ions resulted in an increase and decrease, respectively, of the spontaneous mechanical activity frequency in portal vein; the amplitudes of the spontaneous mechanical activity were attenuated by Ac- and Ise- substitution. Withdrawal of [Mg2+]o in Cl(-)-containing media resulted in elevation of tension development in rat aortas, whereas a similar maneuver in media with Ac- or Ise-, substituted for [Cl-]o, resulted in abrogation of this tension development. Use of disulfonic stilbene anion-channel blockers, DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonate, 400-600 microM) and SITS (4,4'-acetamido-4'-isothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonic acid, 400-600 microM), failed to influence either spontaneous mechanical activity or basal tone of rat portal portal vein or aortas. Incubation of DIDS or SITS in Mg(2+)-free media also failed to influence mechanical responses to withdrawal of [Mg2+]o. Use of the Cl- cation transport inhibitor bumetanide (30-80 microM) also failed to alter spontaneous mechanical activity or basal tone in either the presence or absence of [Mg2+]o. Ac- and Ise- substitution attenuated norepinephrine- and K(+)-induced contractile responses in portal vein and aorta, Caffeine-induced contractions of aortas were potentiated by withdrawal of [Mg2+]o in Cl(-)-containing media but inhibited in Ac(-)- or Ise(-)-substituted solutions. In the presence of [Mg2+]o, substitution of foreign anions resulted in alterations in the agonist contractile dose-response curves; EC50s were increased whereas maximum tensions were depressed. Withdrawal of [Mg2+]o amplified these effects. Substitution of Ac- or Ise- for [Cl-]o in the presence or absence of [Mg2+]o depressed contractions induced by Ca acetate in aortas and portal vein. These results suggest that: (1) Cl- plays an important role in regulating spontaneous mechanical activity, basal tone, and contractility in rat aorta and portal vein; and (2) Cl- probably physiologically mediates some of the effects and actions of [Mg2+]o on intracellular release of and influx of Ca2+ in these smooth muscles.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Metabolism of tridiphane (2-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2(2,2,2-trichloroethyl)oxirane) by hepatic epoxide hydrolases and glutathione S-transferases in mouse.

The transformation of the herbicide tridiphane (Tandem, Dowco 356, 2-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2(2,2,2-trichloroethyl)oxirane by the epoxide-metabolizing enzymes, epoxide hydrolases (EH) and glutathione S-transferases (GST), was investigated in mouse liver microsomes and cytosol. The microsomal EH catalyzed the formation of tridiphane diol. The production of this metabolite was prevented by cyclohexene oxide at 1 mM, a known inhibitor of microsomal EH. The structure of the diol was verified by comparison of retention time or Rf of the compound with those of an authentic standard using gas-liquid chromatography or thin-layer chromatography techniques. The diol formed a diester with 1-butane boronic acid or an aldehyde with lead tetraacetate. Mass spectral analysis supported the structural assignment. After optimization of the assay conditions, kinetic constants for the hydration of tridiphane by the microsomal EH were determined (Km = 65 microM and Vmax = 0.9 nmol/min/mg protein). Dietary exposure of mice to the hypolipidemic drug clofibrate at a dose of 0.5% (w/w) for 2 weeks increased by 173% the metabolism of tridiphane to tridiphane diol by the microsomal fraction. No diol could be detected following incubation of tridiphane with the cytosolic EH, even after induction by clofibrate. Tridiphane was also a substrate for GST, but administration of clofibrate did not change the specific activity for the formation of the glutathione conjugate. The herbicide was a rather weak inhibitor of the microsomal EH and the cytosolic GST activities measured with cis-stilbene oxide and trans-stilbene oxide as substrates with I50's of 3.0 x 10(-5) and 1.8 x 10(-4)M, respectively. Tridiphane diol was a poor inhibitor of the enzymes studied, and the glutathione conjugate of tridiphane caused marked inhibition of only the GST activity (I50, 2.0 x 10(-5)M). By contrast the activity of cytosolic EH (trans-stilbene oxide) was relatively insensitive to the addition of tridiphane or of tridiphane metabolites.

Animals↗

Suppression of cell proliferation with induction of p21 by Cl(-) channel blockers in human leukemic cells.

The existence of Cl(-) channels in lymphocytes and neutrophils has been increasingly recognized, but the biological functions are not yet clear. We examined the effects of Cl(-) channel blockers on the cell proliferation and the cell cycle of human leukemic cell lines. The growth of leukemic cells was suppressed most efficiently by NPPB (5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid), partially by 9-AC (9-anthracenecarboxylic acid) and tamoxifen, but not by stilbene compounds. NPPB increased the G0/G1 population and induced the expression of p21, one of the critical molecules for G1/S checkpoint. Antisense oligonucleotide for a NPPB-sensitive and stilbene-insensitive Cl(-) channel, ClC-2, sufficiently suppressed the ClC-2 protein synthesis, but did not affect the growth of leukemic cells. These findings suggest that NPPB-sensitive and stilbene-insensitive Cl(-) channels other than ClC-2 play important roles in cell cycles and cell proliferation of human leukemic cells.

Blotting, Northern↗