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Exposure to the metabolic inhibitor sodium azide induces stress protein expression and thermotolerance in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Historically, sodium azide has been used to anesthetize the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans; however, the mechanism by which it survives this exposure is not understood. In this study, we report that exposure of wild-type C elegans to 10 mM sodium azide for up to 90 minutes confers thermotolerance (defined as significantly increased survival probability [SP] at 37 degrees C) on the animal. In addition, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed enhanced Hsp70 expression, whereas Western blot analysis revealed the induction of Hsp16. We also tested the only known C elegans Hsp mutant def-21 (codes for Hsp90), which constitutively enters the stress-resistant state known as the dauer larvae. Daf-21 mutants also acquire sodium azide-induced thermotolerance, whereas 3 non-Hsp, constitutive dauer-forming mutants exhibited a variable response to azide exposure. We conclude that the ability of C elegans to survive exposure to azide is associated with the induction of at least 2 stress proteins.

Animals↗

Dual actions of the metabolic inhibitor, sodium azide on K(ATP) channel currents in the rat CRI-G1 insulinoma cell line.

1. The effects of various inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain on the activity of ATP-sensitive K+ channels were examined in the Cambridge rat insulinoma G1 (CRI-G1) cell line using a combination of whole cell and single channel recording techniques. 2. Whole cell current clamp recordings, with 5 mM ATP in the pipette, demonstrate that the mitochondrial uncoupler sodium azide (3 mM) rapidly hyperpolarizes CRI-G1 cells with a concomitant increase in K+ conductance. This is due to activation of K(ATP) channels as the sulphonylurea tolbutamide (100 microM) completely reversed the actions of azide. Other inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, rotenone (10 microM) or oligomycin (2 microM) did not hyperpolarize CRI-G1 cells or increase K+ conductance. 3. In cell-attached recordings, bath application of 3 mM sodium azide (in the absence of glucose) resulted in a rapid increase in K(ATP) channel activity, an action readily reversible by tolbutamide (100 microM). Application of sodium azide (3 mM), in the presence of Mg-ATP, to the intracellular surface of excised inside-out patches also increased K(ATP) channel activity, in a reversible manner. 4. In contrast, rotenone (10 microM) or oligomycin (2 microM) did not increase K(ATP) channel activity in either cell-attached, in the absence of glucose, or inside-out membrane patch recordings. 5. Addition of sodium azide (3 mM) to the intracellular surface of inside-out membrane patches in the presence of Mg-free ATP or the non-hydrolysable analogue 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) inhibited, rather than increased, K(ATP) channel activity. 6. In conclusion, sodium azide, but not rotenone or oligomycin, directly activates K(ATP) channels in CRI-G1 insulin secreting cells. This action of azide is similar to that reported previously for diazoxide.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Substrate oxidation by the heme edge of fungal peroxidases. Reaction of Coprinus macrorhizus peroxidase with hydrazines and sodium azide.

The peroxidase from Coprinus macrorhizus is inactivated by phenylhydrazine or sodium azide in the presence of H2O2. Inactivation by phenylhydrazine results in formation of the delta-meso-phenyl and 8-hydroxymethyl derivatives of the prosthetic heme group and covalent binding of the phenyl moiety to the protein but not in the detectable formation of Fe-phenyl- or N-phenylheme adducts. Alkylhydrazines are catalytically oxidized but do not inactivate the enzyme. Catalytic oxidation of sodium azide produces the azidyl radical and results in its addition to the delta-meso position of the prosthetic heme group. Comparison of the heme adducts obtained with C. macrorhizus peroxidase with those generated by horseradish peroxidase shows that the regiochemistry of the addition reactions is the same in both cases. The results suggest that substrates interact primarily or exclusively with the heme edge rather than the ferryl oxygen of C. macrorhizus peroxidase and indicate that the interaction occurs with the same sector of the heme edge as in horseradish peroxidase. The active-site topologies of this pair of plant and fungal peroxidases thus appear to be similar, although the observation that alkylhydrazines add to the heme edge of horseradish but not C. macrorhizus peroxidase clearly shows that there are significant differences in the two active sites.

Agaricales↗

Evidence for sodium azide as an artifact mediating the modulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase by C-reactive protein.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein identified as a cardiovascular risk marker. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have investigated the possible direct effects of CRP on the vasculature, using mainly commercial CRP. In the present work, a potential role for CRP as a modulator of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induction was explored. Cultured human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMC) were stimulated for 18 hours with 10 ng/mL interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), resulting in a marked increase of iNOS levels and NO production, as determined by Western blotting and nitrite measurement, respectively. Commercial CRP (1 to 100 microg/mL) concentration-dependently inhibited the effects elicited by IL-1beta. Unexpectedly, similar results were observed when the commercial CRP solution was replaced by the corresponding vehicle medium containing growing concentrations of sodium azide. The inhibitory effects of commercial CRP or vehicle medium were lost on sodium azide removal by dialysis. In conclusion, sodium azide from the commercial CRP solution, but not CRP itself, mainly accounts for the inhibitory effect on IL-1beta-evoked iNOS induction and NO release. Care should be taken before attributing any biologic role to commercial CRP containing sodium azide.

Artifacts↗

Role of catalase in the smooth muscle relaxant actions of sodium azide and cyanamide.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of catalase in the smooth muscle relaxant actions of sodium azide and cyanamide. The effects of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole suggested a role for this enzyme in the relaxant actions of sodium azide on rat aorta and bovine retractor penis muscle and cyanamide on rat aorta. Moreover, results obtained using a difference spectrophotometric assay based upon the oxidation of haemoglobin were consistent with the catalase-dependent oxidation of sodium azide to nitric oxide (NO) and of cyanamide to nitroxyl anion. Surprisingly, however, no free nitric oxide or nitroxyl was detected in solution using a sensitive electrode. This anomaly might be explained if the stable complexes of catalase with nitric oxide or nitroxyl do not release their respective ligand except to sites of high affinity, such as the haemoglobin employed in the difference spectrophotometric assay, or indeed, the soluble guanylate cyclase within the smooth muscle.

Amitrole↗

Mode of inhibition of sodium azide on H+-ATPase of Escherichia coli.

Sodium azide inhibited multi-site (steady-state) ATPase activity of E. coli F1 more than 90%, but did not affect uni-site (single-site) ATPase activity. Thus azide inhibited multi-site ATPase activity by lowering catalytic cooperativity. Consistent with this observation, azide changed the ligand-induced fluorescence response of aurovertin bound to F1.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Interaction of the mutagenic metabolite of sodium azide, synthesized in vitro, with DNA of barley embryos.

The in vitro synthesized sodium azide mutagenic metabolite (azidoalanine) produced single-strand breaks and proteinase K-sensitive sites in isolated, germinating barley embryos. In contrast with sodium azide, the efficiency of DNA damage induction was lower, and both types of DNA lesions were totally or partially repaired in the course of subsequent 24 h incubation of the embryos. The mutagenic azide metabolite did not inhibit DNA replication, while azide did so even at doses which are not highly mutagenic. The metabolite labelled with 14C at the amino acid residue was taken up with a similar efficiency both into barley embryos germinating for 2 days and into cells of Salmonella typhimurium TA100. The majority of the radioactivity was incorporated into proteins, less into RNA and a negligible amount into DNA.

Alanine↗

Quantification of cysteine residues following oxidation to cysteic acid in the presence of sodium azide.

Quantification of cysteines by amino acid composition analysis is inaccurate because of decomposition of these residues during protein hydrolysis. Cysteine (and cystine) residues are oxidized to cysteic acid following hydrochloric acid hydrolysis in the presence of sodium azide. Using selected native and recombinant proteins, containing different numbers of cysteine residues, we investigated the conditions for the quantitative oxidation of cysteines to cysteic acid in the presence of sodium azide. Protein hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid in the presence of 0.20% sodium azide resulted in 87-100% oxidation of the cysteines to cysteic acid which was easily quantified. The results were highly reproducible so that the azide-induced oxidation can be used as a general method to determine cysteine residues in a given protein. The sodium azide-dependent oxidation is superior to oxidation with performic acid because (i) it can be performed in solution not requiring protein lyophilization and in approximately half of the time; (ii) it delivers slightly higher yields of cysteic acid; and (iii) it does not affect tyrosine residues, which can be modified during the performic acid treatment.

Amino Acids↗

Effects of sodium azide on sea urchin embryos and gametes.

Sodium azide (SA) was tested on sea urchin embryos and gametes (Paracentrotus lividus). Developing embryos were exposed to SA (10(-6) to 10(-3) M) up to pluteus larval stage, or for shorter intervals before or after hatching. Developmental defects in SA-exposed embryos consisted mainly of gut abnormalities, without any detectable differences between pre- or post-hatch-exposed embryos. SA-induced damage to gut was exerted during gastrulation, as evident by lectin binding of extracellular matrix. No mitotic damage was observed in SA-exposed embryos, nor could pH-related variations be detected in SA-induced embryotoxicity at pH's ranging from 8 to 6. Concurrently, no effect ensued in the exposure of unfertilized eggs to SA (10(-5) to 10(-2) M) both in terms of fertilization success and of offspring quality. When sperm were suspended in filtered seawater at pH's ranging from 8 to 6, and SA levels ranging from 10(-5) to 10(-2) M, fertilization success of SA-exposed sperm appeared to be modulated by pH, by displaying three distinct dose-response trends at pH 8, 7, or 6. The consequences of sperm pretreatment on offspring quality failed to show any significant SA-induced changes on larval malformations or mortality, while confirming the previously reported pH-induced increase of developmental defects in the offspring of acid-exposed sperm (Pagano et al.: Teratogenesis Carcinogen Mutagen 5:113-121, 1985).

Animals↗

Characterization of a chemical anoxia model in cerebellar granule neurons using sodium azide: protection by nifedipine and MK-801.

Induction of chemical anoxia, using sodium azide in cerebellar granule cells maintained in primary culture, was evaluated as an in vitro assay for screening of potential neuroprotective compounds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate sodium azide as an alternative to cyanide salts, compounds which, despite their unfavorable characteristics, are often used in assays for chemical anoxia. The viability of neuronal cultures after treatment with azide, with or without preincubation with calcium channel blockers, tetrodotoxin (TTX), or glutamate receptor antagonists, was monitored by subsequent incubation with the tetrazolium dye MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), followed by isopropanol extraction and spectrophotometric quantification of cellularly reduced MTT. The azide-induced degeneration of neurons was shown to be dependent on the concentration as well as on the duration of incubation with submaximal concentrations of azide. Incubation of the neurons with nifedipine, a blocker of L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels (L-VSCC), or with the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype glutamate receptor antagonist MK-801, prior to addition of submaximal concentrations of azide, significantly attenuated azide-induced neuronal death. Blockers of N-type and Q-type VSCC (omega-conotoxin MVIIA and MVIIC, respectively) and the P-type VSCC blocker omega-agatoxin IVA had no effect in this assay. The sodium channel blocker TTX was without effect when added to neurons under depolarizing conditions, but potently and effectively protected cells when experiments were performed in a nondepolarizing buffer. The results show that chemical anoxia induced by incubation of cultured neurons with azide leads to detrimental effects, which may be quantitatively monitored by the capability of the cells to reduce MTT. This procedure is a suitable method for screening of compounds for possible protective effects against neuronal death induced by energy depletion. In addition, the results suggest involvement of L-type VSCC as well as of glutamate receptors in the pathways leading to neuronal degradation induced by energy depletion in cerebellar granule neurons. This would further support the notion that these pathways might be important in neurodegeneration induced by cerebral ischemia or anoxia.

Animals↗

Sodium azide inhibition of complement-mediated functions.

Moderate concentrations of sodium azide (0.1-0.2%) significantly inhibited guinea-pig and human complement-mediated lysis of both IgM- and IgG-sensitized sheep erythrocytes. The reduction in cytolysis was not attributable to non-specific ionic effects, to inactivation of native complement components by azide, or to irreversible interactions of azide with sensitized erythrocytes. Mouse complement-dependent opsonization of sensitized erythrocytes, as judged by macrophage complement receptor-mediated attachment and phagocytosis of the erythrocytes, was comparably inhibited by sodium azide, suggesting that azide acted within the sequence of the first four components of the classical complement pathway.

Animals↗

Regional brain effects of sodium azide treatment on cytochrome oxidase activity: a quantitative histochemical study.

The objective of the present study was to determine if regional variation in brain cytochrome oxidase activity was observed following systemic administration of sodium azide. An image analysis system calibrated with internal standards of known cytochrome oxidase activity was used to quantify cytochrome oxidase in histochemically stained brain sections. Rats receiving chronic infusion of sodium azide (400 micrograms/hr), which were sacrificed after two weeks, showed a substantial decrease in brain cytochrome oxidase activity over those infused with saline. All of the 22 regions sampled from telencephalic, diencephalic, and mesencephalic levels, showed a significant activity reduction which ranged between 26% and 37%. The regions that appeared significantly more vulnerable to the sodium azide effects were the mesencephalic reticular formation and the central amygdala, which displayed the largest decrease in activity. In addition, interregional correlations of activity showed a deeply modified pattern of correlative metabolic activity between hippocampal, amygdaloid and cortical areas after azide treatment. The regional effects found were consistent with azide-induced learning and memory dysfunctions.

Animals↗

Lack of induction of single-strand breaks in mammalian cells by sodium azide and its proximal mutagen.

The mutagenicity of sodium azide in both higher plants and bacteria is well documented. However, in mammalian cells, research on the effects of azide on gene mutations has produced conflicting results. Furthermore, no research has been conducted on the effects of azide and its proximal mutagen (mutagenic metabolite) on DNA single-strand breaks. Experiments were designed to overcome this lack of information on azide mutagenicity and to evaluate the potential hazard of azide exposure to man. Chinese hamster V79 cells were treated with either azide or its proximal mutagen(s) for 2 or 6 h, respectively, and analyzed by alkaline elution for single-strand breaks. The data showed that neither azide nor the proximal mutagen(s) induced single-strand DNA breaks or DNA-protein cross-links. Therefore it appears that neither azide nor its proximal mutagen(s) interact directly with DNA and this suggests that azide may be an indirect-acting mutagen. Furthermore, this lack of interaction with DNA may account for azide's lack of carcinogenicity.

Animals↗

Interference of sodium azide with the quantitation of serum cholesterol: a comparative study.

Interference of sodium azide (employed widely as a preservative for serum) with six different cholesterol methods and two modified procedures is analyzed and compared. Sodium azide is shown to lower the serum cholesterol values of the iron-cholesterol methods from 5 to 50% at 0.1 g% azide, and from 60 to 95% at 1.0 g% azide concentration, depending on the method employed. This inhibition is independent of serum cholesterol concentration. Increased serum to reagent (v/v) ratio, i.e., increased azide concentration, caused increased depression of serum cholesterol values. Appropriate choice of low serum-to-reagent (v/v) ratio thus decreases the magnitude of the azide interference in the iron-cholesterol reaction to 3-10% for the precipitation procedures, and to 25% for the non-precipitation procedure at 0.1 g% azide concentration in serum.

Azides↗

The catalase inhibitor sodium azide reduces ethanol-induced locomotor activity.

The involvement of brain catalase in modulating the psychopharmacological effects of ethanol was investigated by examining ethanol-induced locomotor activity in sodium azide-treated mice. Mice were pretreated with i.p. injections of the catalase inhibitor sodium azide (5, 10, or 15 mg/kg) or saline. Following this treatment, animals received i.p. injections of ethanol (0.0, 1.6, 2.4, or 3.2 g/kg). Ten minutes after ethanol administration, locomotor activity was recorded during a 10-min testing period in open-field chambers. The time effect between the two treatments (0, 30, 60, or 90 min) was also evaluated. Results indicated that sodium azide alone did not change spontaneous locomotor activity. However, this catalase inhibitor significantly reduced ethanol-induced locomotor activity when it was injected simultaneously or 30 min before ethanol injections. Moreover, perfused brain homogenates of mice treated with sodium azide also showed a significant reduction of catalase activity. No differences in blood ethanol levels were observed between sodium azide and saline pretreated animals. Results of an additional experiment showed that sodium azide (10 mg/kg, at 30 min) did not produce an effect on d-amphetamine- (2 mg/kg) or tert-butanol- (0.5 g/kg) induced locomotor activities. A specific interaction between ethanol and sodium azide at the level of the central nervous system is suggested. These results provide further support for the involvement of brain catalase in ethanol-induced behavioral effects. They also support the notion that acetaldehyde may be produced directly in the brain by catalase and that it may be an important regulator of ethanol's locomotor effects.

Animals↗

Effects of chronic sodium azide on brain and muscle cytochrome oxidase activity: a potential model to investigate environmental contributions to neurodegenerative diseases.

Deficits in oxidative phosphorylation have been implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, cytochrome oxidase activity was inhibited following a 28-d systemic administration of nonlethal sodium azide via subcutaneous osmotic pumps. Quantitative enzyme histochemistry was performed on tissue sections from brain, skeletal muscle, and heart to localize cytochrome oxidase activity both globally and in regions within each tissue. Significant decreases of cytochrome oxidase activity were found in the brain and skeletal muscle but not heart. In addition, regions within each tissue were also analyzed, such as cortex and striatum in the brain and red and white fibers in skeletal muscle. The tissue specific inhibition of cytochrome oxidase by sodium azide could serve as a positive control for studies of other mitochondrial toxins in aerobically compromised cells. Therefore, chronic nonlethal sodium azide administration may provide a potential rat model for the study of mitochondrial dysfunction and the role of environmental pollutants in brain and muscle tissues affected in certain neurodegenerative diseases.

Analysis of Variance↗

Sodium azide as a preservative in epidemiological studies of helminth ova in fecal specimens.

In 20 fecal specimens stored at ambient temperature (30-40 degrees C) for 3-7 days, substantial reductions in hookworm ova load were observed when a sensitive egg counting method (modified Kato's technique) was employed. Aliquots to which sodium azide (3 mg/g of fecal matter) was added showed considerably less reduction. A larger study on 120 specimens confirmed that there was no reduction up to 3 days. Significant decreases, however, occurred by 5 days, and these could not be prevented even by doubling the sodium azide dose (to 6 mg). It is recommended that in epidemiological studies of hookworm infestation in tropical countries, 3 mg of sodium azide should be added per g of fecal matter within 6 h of collection and the specimen tested within 3 days.

Adolescent↗