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Incorporation of fatty acids by concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes and the effect on fatty acid composition and membrane fluidity.

The fatty acid compositions of the neutral lipid and phospholipid fractions of rat lymph node lymphocytes were characterized. Stimulation of rat lymphocytes with the T-cell mitogen concanavalin A resulted in significant changes in the fatty acid composition of both neutral lipids and phospholipids (a decrease in the proportions of stearic, linoleic and arachidonic acids and an increase in the proportion of oleic acid). Membrane fluidity was measured using nitroxide spin-label e.s.r., and increased during culture with concanavalin A. Culturing the lymphocytes in the absence of mitogen did not affect fatty acid composition or membrane fluidity. The uptake and fate of palmitic, oleic, linoleic and arachidonic acids were studied in detail; there was a time-dependent incorporation of each fatty acid into all lipid classes but each fatty acid had a characteristic fate. Palmitic and arachidonic acids were incorporated principally into phospholipids whereas oleic and linoleic acids were incorporated in similar proportions into phospholipids and triacylglycerols. Oleic acid was incorporated mainly into phosphatidylcholine, palmitic and linoleic acids were incorporated equally into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, and arachidonic acid was incorporated mainly into phosphatidylethanolamine. Supplementation of the culture medium with particular fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic acid) led to enrichment of that fatty acid in both neutral lipids and phospholipids. This generated lymphocytes with phospholipids differing in saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratio, degree of polyunsaturation, index of unsaturation and n - 6/n - 3 ratio. This method allowed the introduction into lymphocyte phospholipids of fatty acids not normally present (e.g. alpha-linolenic) or usually present in low proportions (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic). These three n - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids replaced arachidonic acid in lymphocyte phospholipids. Fatty acid incorporation led to an alteration in lymphocyte membrane fluidity: palmitic and stearic acids decreased fluidity whereas the unsaturated fatty acids increased fluidity. It is proposed that the changes in lymphocyte phospholipid fatty acid composition and membrane fluidity brought about by culture in the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids are responsible for the inhibition of lymphocyte functions caused by these fatty acids.

Animals↗

Evaluation of liver function by co-administration methodology using 13C-labelled benzoic acid and hippuric acid coupled with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The amount of hippuric acid synthesized and excreted in the urine after benzoic acid loading (hippuric acid test) is a useful index of liver function. However, the hippuric acid test gives erroneous results in the event of failure of renal excretory function. A new stable isotope co-administration methodology using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been developed to overcome this defect. [7-(13)C]Benzoic acid and [glycine carbonyl-13C]hippuric acid ([gly-13C]hippuric acid), each 0.4-0.6 mmol kg(-1) were simultaneously administered intravenously as probes to normal or liver-injured rats and the urine was analysed by 100 MHz 13C NMR spectroscopy. Consequently, urinary excretion of [7-(13)C]hippuric acid formed from [7-(13)C]benzoic acid and [gly-13C]hippuric acid was successfully traced with very simple and convenient procedures. The urinary excretion of [7-(13)C]hippuric acid indicated the combined functions of hippuric acid synthesis and renal excretion, whereas that of [gly-13C]hippuric acid was indicative of renal excretion of hippuric acid only. The heights of resonances for C7 of [7-(13)C]hippuric acid and the glycine carbonyl carbon of [gly-13C]hippuric acid were used to calculate the concentrations of labelled hippuric acids. [7-(13)C]Hippuric acid was excreted more slowly than [gly-13C]hippuric acid by both normal and liver-injured rats. The liver-injured rats excreted the labelled hippuric acids more slowly than the normal rats. The kinetic parameters were computed for the individual rats on the basis of Michaelis-Menten elimination for benzoic acid and first-order elimination for hippuric acid. The maximum rates of metabolism (Vmax) (4.8-5.8 micromol min(-1) kg(-1)) and the renal elimination rate constants of hippuric acid (Kre) (0.010-0.021 min(-1)) in the liver-injured rats were lower than those (Vmax 6.7-11.8 micromol min(-1) kg(-1); Kre 0.026-0.045 min(-1)) in the normal rats. These results have demonstrated that liver function can be evaluated from the Vmax value even though the renal function of hippuric acid excretion (Kre) is impaired. Thus the co-administration methodology is feasible and can remove the defect of the previous hippuric acid test. These results could form the basis for a more convenient and reliable hippuric acid test in man.

Animals↗

Different specificity of two types of Pseudomonas lipases for C20 fatty acids with a Delta5 unsaturated double bond and their application for selective concentration of fatty acids.

Two kinds of lipases, AK-lipase and HU-lipase, produced by two different Pseudomonas fluorescens strains, AK102 and HU380, respectively, were evaluated as to fatty acid hydrolysis specificity using six types of oil containing higher amounts of C20 fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid, AA, or 20:4omega6), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid, DGLA, or 20:3omega6), 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA or 20:5omega3), mead acid (5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid, MA, or 20:3omega9), 8,11-eicosadienoic acid (20:2omega9) and 8,11,14,17-eicosatetraenoic acid (20:4omega3). Although HU-lipase did not show any specificity for C20 fatty acids with respect to the presence or absence of a Delta5 unsaturated bond, it exhibited comparatively low reactivity for 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA or 22:6omega3). In contrast, AK-lipase was less reactive for C20 fatty acids with a Delta5 unsaturated bond. However, the specificity of hydrolysis of AK-lipase gradually decreased as the reaction proceeded. Utilizing this fatty acid specificity, we concentrated either EPA or DHA from fish oils containing both EPA and DHA by means of lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis and urea adduction. Hydrolysis and urea adduction of refined cod oil including 12.2% EPA and 6.9% DHA with HU-lipase provided free fatty acids with 43.1% EPA and 7% DHA, respectively. The resulting yield of concentrated total fatty acids comprised 2.6% of the fatty acids from the cod oil. Thus, EPA was particularly concentrated in the fatty acids derived from refined cod oil on partial hydrolysis with HU-lipase followed by urea adduction. On the other hand, hydrolysis of cuttlefish oil with AK-lipase followed by urea adduction increase slightly the EPA composition from 14.2% to 16.8%, and markedly enhanced the composition of DHA from 16.3% to 44.6% in the hydrolyzed fatty acids. The yield of purified total fatty acids by urea concentrate was 9.4% of the fatty acids from the cuttlefish oil. Thus, DHA was particularly concentrated in the fatty acids derived from on partial hydrolysis with AK-lipase followed by urea adduction. We concluded that EPA and DHA concentrates can be easily and inexpensively obtained using HU-lipase and AK-lipase, respectively. Furthermore, it might be possible to separate and concentrate C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with or without a Delta5 double bond from PUFAs rich oils including both fatty acids.

Chemical Fractionation↗

Suramin analogues with a 2-phenylbenzimidazole moiety as partial structure; potential anti HIV- and angiostatic drugs, 2: Sulfanilic acid-, benzenedisulfonic acid-, and naphthalenetrisulfonic acid analogues.

The synthesis of suramin analogues bearing a 2-phenyl-benzimidazole moiety is described. Aminoarene sulfonic acids 2a-e are acylated with 3,4-dinitrobenzoyl chloride 3 yielding the amides 4a-e which are hydrogenated to the corresponding diamines 5a-e. These are treated with 3-nitrobenzaldehyde, yielding the azomethines 7a-e and their isomers 8a-e and 9a-e. Key step in the synthesis of the target compounds 12a-e is the oxidation of the azomethines with oxygen to the benzimidazoles 10a-e. These are hydrogenated to the amines 11a-e reacting with phosgene to yield the symmetric ureas 12a-e. Results of the anti-HIV, cytostatic, and antiangiogenic screening are presented.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Novel oxylipins formed from docosahexaenoic acid by potato lipoxygenase--10(S)-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid and 10,20-dihydroxydocosahexaenoic acid.

Potato tuber lipoxygenase (ptLOX) has been shown to catalyze the aerobic formation of at least four major oxygenated derivatives of DHA. Two of the products--7,17(S)- and 10,17(S)-dihydro(pero)xy-DHA [7,17- and 10,17-diH(P)DHA]--were formed from soybean 15-LOX-derived 17(S)-hydro(pero)xy-DHA [17(S)-H(P)DHA], whereas two novel oxylipin compounds--10(S)-hydro(pero)xy-DHA and 10,20-dihydro(pero)xy-DHA [10(S)-H(P)DHA and 10,20-diH(P)DHA, respectively]--were the major direct products of DHA oxidation by ptLOX. The reactions proceeded relatively slowly but could be stimulated by catalytic amounts of SDS. Micromolar concentrations of 10(S)-HPDHA effectively abolished the kinetic lag period of ptLOX activation. Enzymatic activity with DHA or 17(S)-HPDHA as substrate was about 8% of that with linoleic acid--a standard natural ptLOX substrate--whereas 17(S)-HDHA was converted at a rate of approximately 1%. The enzyme was relatively unstable and quickly inactivated during the reaction with DHA on with 17(S)-HPDHA (first-order kinetic constant of inactivation kin = 1.5 +/- 0.3 min(-1)), but not with 17(S)-HDHA. Both 7,17- and 10,20-diH(P)DHA were clearly products of double oxygenation catalyzed by soybean 15-LOX and/or ptLOX. Our observation that ptLOX could convert 17-HDHA to 10,17-diH(P)DHA indicates that this dihydroxylated derivative of DHA also can be formed via a double lipoxygenation mechanism.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Developmental biochemistry of cottonseed embryogenesis and germination: changing messenger ribonucleic acid populations as shown by reciprocal heterologous complementary deoxyribonucleic acid--messenger ribonucleic acid hybridization.

The concentrations of messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) in three stages in cotton cotyledon ontogeny were examined by total poly(A)+ mRNA hybridization with unfractionated complementary DNA. This study and others show that these RNAs are representative of the total mRNA population. A novel analysis of all reciprocal hybridization reactions detected at least 17 groups of mRNAs, the sequences of which change together in concentration during this developmental period. We have defined an mRNA subset as a group or groups of mRNAs that change together in concentration in a similar fashion, regardless of the abundance of its members. About 11 such subsets are detected, several of which contain at least two groups which change in concentration in parallel. These experiments have identified the same mRNA subsets detected in a companion study of the abundant proteins synthesized in vivo and in vitro during this developmental period and indicate that similar changes occur for less abundant mRNAs as well.

Base Sequence↗

Conformational mobility of deoxyribonucleic acid, transfer ribonucleic acid, and poly(adenylic acid) as monitored by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation.

The molecular motion of DNA, the native form of tRNA, and partially denatured poly(A) has been investigated by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR). The nuclear Overhauser effect of the RNA samples was measured at 25.1 and 50.3 MHZ, and the spin-lattice relaxation time of all the samples was measured at 50.3 MHZ. The NMR data indicate that the local motion of the ribose carbons is much less restricted than that of the bases for DNA and tRNA. The local motion correlation times of the ribose carbons are in the range of 1-7 ns for the samples investigated. The local motion correlation times of the different nucleic acids are quite similar with the exception that the 2' carbon of DNA and poly(A) is apparently less restricted than that for tRNA. The local motion correlation times of the ribose carbons, except perhaps the 2', do not appear to be strongly coupled to the conformation of the polynucleotide. The 13C NMR results can be combined with those of other investigations to obtain a consistent picture of the internal and overall motions of polynucleotides which have a backbone that is much more flexible than that of the bases.

Carbon Isotopes↗

Messenger ribonucleic acid metabolism in mammalian mitochondria. Discrete poly(adenylic acid) lacking messenger ribonucleic acid species associated with mitochondrial polysomes.

The mRNA species released from mitochondrial polysomes prepared by the Mg2+ precipitation technique have been further characterized using various analytical techniques. Mitochondrial polysomes were dissociated by treatment with puromycin and chemically labeled with (3H) dimethyl sulfate. About 51% of steady-state mitochondrial mRNA bind to oligo(dT)-cellulose indicating the presence of poly(adenylic acid)(poly(A)) in this fraction. The poly(A)-containing mRNAs resolve into discrete bands of 9-16 Se, while the RNA fraction unable to bind to oligo(dT)-cellulose representing poly(A)-lacking mRNA contains 8-12 Se species. About 90% of poly(A) lacking RNA hybridizes with mitochondrial DNA and less than 7% hybridizes with nuclear DNA. The extent of hybridization of poly(A)-lacking RNA with mitochondrial DNA was not significantly affected by the presence of excess mitochondrial rRNA, cytoplasmic rRNA, or a tenfold concentration of poly(A)-containing RNA isolated from total mitochondrial RNA. Possible differences in sequence properties between poly(A)-containing and -lacking mitochondrial mRNAs were further verified using a solid phase-bound cDNA procedure. Poly(A)-containing mRNA released from mitochondrial polysomes shows over 85% sequance homology with oligo(dT)-cellulose-bound cDNA prepared against total mitochondrial poly(A)-lacking mitochondrial mRNA hybridizes with the cDNA providing direct evidence for the distinct sequence properties of the two mRNA species.

Animals↗

Topical retinoic acid alters the expression of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein-I and cellular retinoic acid-binding protein-II in non-lesional but not lesional psoriatic skin.

Therapeutic retinoids have profound effects on psoriatic skin pathology but their interactions with various retinoid-binding proteins in lesional vs non-lesional skin have not been investigated. Using quantitative real-time PCR the mRNA expression of cellular retinol-binding protein I (CRBPI) and retinoic acid-binding protein I/II (CRABPI/CRABPII) was studied in psoriatic and healthy control (=normal) skin after 4 days of occlusive RA/vehicle treatment (n=6). Untreated psoriatic lesions showed a markedly elevated CRABPII/CRABPI ratio, while the CRBPI level was reduced in lesional and non-lesional skin as compared to normal skin. In RA-treated normal and non-lesional skin, the mRNA expression of CRBPI was unaltered while that of CRABPI and CRABPII was reduced by approximately 80% and increased approximately 5-fold, respectively, as compared to vehicle-treated skin. In contrast, lesional skin exposed to RA showed an almost 90% increase in CRBPI transcripts but unaltered expression of CRABPI and CRABPII, yet, the mRNA expression of several inflammatory mediators, e.g. inducible nitric oxide synthase, interferon-gamma and interleukin-1beta, was clearly reduced. Immunohistochemistry localized CRABPII to suprabasal keratinocytes in normal skin and revealed markedly elevated levels in lesional skin. RA treatment induced CRABPII protein expression in normal and non-lesional skin, to similar levels as in untreated lesions. The results indicate that the effects of RA differ in normal/non-lesional psoriatic skin and lesional skin. Whether the high expression of CRABPII in psoriatic skin lesions is due to increased amounts of endogenous retinoids in lesional skin or reflects an abnormal regulation of the CRABPII gene in psoriasis remains to be studied.

Administration, Topical↗

Treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid): a two year multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (ALADIN II). Alpha Lipoic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy.

Short-term trials with the antioxidant thioctic acid (TA) appear to improve neuropathic symptoms in diabetic patients, but the long-term response remains to be established. Therefore, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients with symptomatic polyneuropathy were randomly assigned to three treatment regimens: (1) 2 x 600(mg of TA (TA 1200), (2) 600)mg of TA plus placebo (PLA) (TA 600) or (3) placebo and placebo (PLA). A trometamol salt solution of TA of 1200 or 600 mg or PLA was intravenously administered once daily for five consecutive days before enrolling the patients in the oral treatment phase. The study was prospective, PLA-controlled, randomized, double-blind and conducted for two years. Severity of diabetic neuropathy was assessed by the Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) and electrophysiological attributes of the sural (sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV), sensory nerve action potential (SNAP)) and the tibial (motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), motor nerve distal latency (MNDL)) nerve. Statistical analysis was performed after independent reviewers excluded all patients with highly variable data allowing a final analysis of 65 patients (TA 1200: n = 18, TA 600: n = 27; PLA: n = 20). At baseline no significant differences were noted between the groups regarding the demographic variables and peripheral nerve function parameters for these 65 patients. Statistically significant changes after 24 months between TA and PLA were observed (mean +/- SD) for sural SNCV: +3.8 +/- 4.2 m/s in TA 1200, +3.0+/-3.0m/s in TA 600, -0.1+/-4.8m/s in PLA (p < 0.05 for TA 1200 and TA 600 vs. PLA); sural SNAP: +0.6+/-2.5 microV in TA 1200, +0.3+/-1.4 microV in TA 600, -0.7 +/- 1.5 microV in PLA (p = 0.076 for TA 1200 vs. PLA and p < 0.05 for TA 600 vs. PLA), and in tibial MNCV: +/- 1.2 +/- 3.8 m/s in TA 1200, -0.3 +/- 5.2 m/s in TA 600, 1.5 +/- 2.9 m/s in PLA (p < 0.05 for TA 1200 vs. PLA). No significant differences between the groups after 24 months were noted regarding the tibial MNDL and the NDS. We conclude that in a subgroup of patients after exclusion of patients with excessive test variability throughout the trial, TA appeared to have a beneficial effect on several attributes of nerve conduction.

Action Potentials↗

[Studies on the protein and amino acid metabolism of laying hens using 15N labeled casein. 4. Fecal excretion of nitrogen and amino acids, digestibility of crude protein and absorption of basic amino acids].

Generally, the faeces of laying hens fed 15N casein rations were found to contain equal proportions of TCE-precipitable and TCE-soluble nitrogen. Considerable variations were observed to occur between the 64 samples investigated (27%-75%) and no explanation was found to account for this fact. The content of basic amino acids in faecal proteins was found to differ considerably from that of the proteins in the intestinal contents. A high lysine content was found after the feeding of wheat. The present trial substantiated this result, provided the casein contained a certain proportion of non-available lysine. The apparent and true digestibility of dietary N was 88% or 91%, that of 15N (2nd and 6th day of experiment) and 92%. During the feeding of labelled casein a higher level of N labelling was found in the TCE-soluble portion of the faeces, whereas on the 8th to 12th day a higher level of labelling was observed in the TCE-precipitable portion of the faeces. The peak of 15N excretion occurred on the 3rd day of experiment. When 15N administration terminated the atom% 15N in the faeces and in urine was found to decrease rapidly approximating the initial level of labelling asymptotically.

Amino Acids↗

[Protein and amino acid metabolism in the digestive tract of growing bulls. 6. Apparent digestibility of the amino acids entering the duodenum and of amino acid from feed].

After studies with young bulls provided with duodenal cannulas the apparent digestibility (AD) of the individual amino acids getting into the duodenum (AAD) was ascertained on the basis of 28 different rations. The AD of the AAD is defined as follows: AAD--AAfaeces/AAD X 100. The results thus obtained show a relative constancy, only insignificantly impaired by the consideration of the dependence of the AD of the AAD on the AA concentration in the ration. The average value for the AD of the sigma AAD was 72.5 +/- 4.9%. The dependence of the AD of the sigma AAD on the sigma AA concentration in the ration is: y = 67.8 + 0.51x +/- 4.6; r = 0.355x. In addition, the relation between AD AAD and AD AAfeed protein' each in % of AA intake and AA concentration in the ration, was studied and reported on.

Aging↗

Amino acid losses during hemodialysis with polyacrylonitrile membranes: effect of intradialytic amino acid supplementation on plasma amino acid concentrations and nutritional variables in nondiabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients. Amino acid (AA) losses during the dialysis procedure may be a contributing factor. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were 1) to prospectively evaluate AA losses and their effect on plasma AA concentrations during dialysis with polyacrylonitrile at baseline and after administration of AAs by intradialysis and 2) to investigate the effects of intradialytic AA supplementation on nutritional status. DESIGN: Seventeen stable patients without diabetes who were receiving hemodialysis were studied. In the first phase, AA losses were evaluated over 2 wk in 10 patients randomly assigned to receive AA supplementation. AA losses were analyzed during the first week without supplementation and during the second week with AA administration. In the second phase, the patients' nutritional status was investigated after 3 mo of AA supplementation and was compared with those in 7 patients not receiving AAs. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD) AA losses during a 4-h dialysis session were 12 +/- 2 g; there was a significant decrease in plasma AA concentrations (386 +/- 298 micromol/L for essential and 902 +/- 735 micromol/L for nonessential AAs). After administration of AAs, the losses increased to 28 +/- 4 g. However, this procedure produced a positive net balance of AAs (10.6 +/- 5.6 g for total AAs), preventing a reduction in plasma concentrations. After 3 mo of AA administration, there was a significant increase in protein catabolic rate and serum albumin and transferrin. This improvement occurred without any change in the dialysis dose, ruling out the possibility that an increase in dialysis efficiency played a role. CONCLUSIONS: Intradialysis adequately provides AA supplements, prevents reductions in plasma AA concentrations, and favorably affects the nutritional status of patients receiving hemodialysis.

Acrylic Resins↗

A major flagellum sialoglycoprotein in sea urchin sperm contains a novel polysialic acid, an alpha2,9-linked poly-N-acetylneuraminic acid chain, capped by an 8-O-sulfated sialic acid residue.

A new type of polysialic acid (polySia) structure was demonstrated to occur in a major unknown sialoglycoprotein with a diverse molecular mass of 40-80 kDa in sea urchin sperm. The polySia-containing glycan structure was determined to be HSO(3)-->8Neu5Acalpha2-->9(Neu5Acalpha2-->9)(n-2) Neu5Acalpha2-->6GalNAcalpha1-->Ser/Thr (n, on average 15), based on carbohydrate analysis of the sialoglycopeptide obtained by an exhaustive protease digestion of whole sperm, fluorometric anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography, and methylation analysis. The sulfate group was predominantly localized to the nonreducing terminus of the polySia chain. This is the first example of an alpha2,9-linked polySia structure in animal sperm. The polySia-containing sialoglycoprotein was present in sperm flagellum but not in the head. Furthermore, this sialoglycoprotein localized in the sperm lipid raft, which contains an enriched ganglioside (Neu5Acalpha2-->8Neu5Acalpha2-->6GlcCer), a receptor for sperm-activating peptide (speract), and its associated guanylate cyclase.

Animals↗

Structures of two isomeric hydroxamic acids: N-methyl-p-toluohydroxamic acid (MTH) and N-(4-methylphenyl)acetohydroxamic acid (MPA).

MTH, C9H11NO2, Mr = 165.19, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 7.106 (2), b = 10.211 (3), c = 11.962 (2) A, beta = 97.99 (2) degrees, V = 859.5 A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.276 Mg m-3, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71069 A, mu = 0.054 mm-1, F(000) = 352, T = 138 K, final R = 0.042 for 1687 reflections with I greater than or equal to 2 sigma(I). MPA, C9H11NO2, Mr = 165.19, orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 9.300 (3), b = 9.463 (4), c = 19.340 (6) A, V = 1702.0 A3, Z = 8, Dx = 1.29 Mg m-3, lambda(Cu K alpha) = 1.5418 A, mu = 0.665 mm-1, F(000) = 704, T = 138 K, final R = 0.044 for 1362 reflections with I greater than or equal to 3 sigma(I). The hydroxamate group in each compound assumes the trans conformation as observed in other secondary hydroxamic acids. The interchange of the C and N substituents influences the planarity and dimensions (C = O, C-N bonds) of the hydroxamate moiety. In MTH the hydroxamate group shows significant deviation from planarity; the r.m.s. deviation of the four atoms, O = C-N-O(H), is 0.094 A, whereas in MPA it is only 0.004 A. This nonplanarity is due largely to out-of-plane bending at N, chi N = 23.9 (1) degree, as compared to chi N = 0.1 degree for MPA. The phenyl ring in MPA is nearly coplanar with the hydroxamate plane (dihedral angle of 10.3 degrees), but is significantly rotated from the hydroxamate plane in MTH (dihedral angle of 43.8 degrees). Electronic differences in the two molecules are considered.

Benzeneacetamides↗

All-trans-retinoic acid treatment inhibits the growth of retinoic acid receptor beta messenger ribonucleic acid expressing thyroid cancer cell lines but does not reinduce the expression of thyroid-specific genes.

Conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy are ineffective for the treatment of advanced thyroid tumors like poorly differentiated papillary, anaplastic, and medullary thyroid cancer. In the attempt to evaluate the possibility of using retinoic acid (RA) in the treatment of thyroid cancer refractory to conventional therapy, we studied the effect of all-trans-RA treatment on five human thyroid cancer cell lines. We found that WRO and NPA, derived from follicular and poorly differentiated human thyroid carcinoma, respectively, showed a growth inhibition after 25 and 21 d of RA treatment. Both apoptosis and a decrease in DNA synthesis were observed as mechanisms of growth inhibition. In the NPA cell line, a delay of cell-cycle progression has also been observed. On the contrary, we did not observe any recovery of mRNA expression of thyroid-specific genes and in particular of the sodium iodide symporter gene. The lack of recovery of radioiodide uptake after all-trans-RA treatment confirmed the inability to reexpress sodium iodide symporter mRNA. The main difference between the all-trans-RA responding cells (WRO and NPA) and the nonresponding cells [ARO, FRO (derived from human anaplastic thyroid tumors) and TT (derived from human medullary thyroid tumor)] was the basal and all-trans-RA induced RA receptor (RAR)beta mRNA expression. Interestingly, 14 thyroid tumors (10 papillary and four anaplastic) showed a significant lower expression of RARbeta mRNA when compared with normal thyroid tissues. In agreement with this result, only 30% of papillary thyroid carcinomas analyzed were positive for RARbeta protein expression with a degree of expression that was much lower than that found in normal thyroid tissue. In conclusion we found that all-trans-RA treatment can determine a significant in vitro growth inhibition especially in differentiated thyroid tumor-derived cell lines but it seems unable to reinduce the expression of thyroid-specific genes and in particular to reinduce the ability to take up iodine. The growth inhibition is likely due to apoptosis in an early phase and to a decrease of DNA synthesis later. In some cases, a delay of the cell-cycle progression also may be responsible for the growth inhibition. The finding of a basal and RA-induced RARbeta mRNA expression only in cell lines responding to all-trans-RA suggests that the growth inhibition might be mediated by RARbeta.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

Application of a U-13C-labeled amino acid tracer in lactating dairy goats for simultaneous measurements of the flux of amino acids in plasma and the partition of amino acids to the mammary gland.

A preliminary study was conducted using lactating British Saanen goats (n = 5) at 109 to 213 d in milk that yielded 1.67 to 3.68 kg of milk/d to examine the application of a U-13C-labeled amino acid (AA) mixture obtained from hydrolyzed algal proteins as a tracer for measuring plasma flux (n = 5) and partition to the mammary gland (n = 3; arteriovenous difference) of 13 AA simultaneously. Except for Ile and Ser, there was incomplete (6 to 54%) equilibration of the tracer with AA from packed blood cells (> 90% erythrocytes) during the 6-h infusions. This result agreed with the large ratio of packed cells to gradients for plasma AA concentration that was also observed. However, net mass and isotope removals by the mammary gland were predominantly from plasma, indicating that the erythrocytes did not participate in kinetic exchanges. Plasma AA fluxes (millimoles per kilogram of metabolizable protein intake per kilogram of body weight 0.75) differed among goats that consumed different protein sources; however, overall rates were lowest for Met (5 to 14) and His (8 to 17) and highest for Leu (48 to 70) and Ala (53 to 88). On average, 25% of plasma flux was partitioned to the mammary gland. Less than 20% of His, Ser, Phe, and Ala were directed to the mammary gland; 20 to 30% of Arg, Thr, Tyr, and Leu were directed to the mammary gland; and 30 to 40% of Pro, Ile, Lys, and Val were directed to the mammary gland. The unidirectional AA flux in the mammary gland (AA apparently available for protein syntheses, oxidation, and metabolite formation) did not match the pattern that is required for casein synthesis, suggesting differences in the metabolic requirements of AA for nonmilk protein synthesis.

Amino Acids↗