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Production of superoxide anion by N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-iminotris(hydroxymethyl)methane buffer during oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by nitrite and effect of inositol hexaphosphate on the oxidation.

Oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by nitrite is characterized by the presence of a lag phase followed by an autocatalysis. As reported previously (Kosaka, H., Imaizumi, K. and Tyuma, I. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 702, 237-241), in phosphate buffer nitrite produced an ESR signal at g 2.005 (hereafter referred to as the g 2 radical). The g 2 radical produced NO.2 from NO-2, then NO.2 oxidized oxyhemoglobin. Superoxide dismutase did not modify the oxidation. On the other hand in N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)iminotris(hydroxymethyl)methane (bistris) buffer, superoxide dismutase markedly elongated the lag phase and accelerated the autocatalysis, indicating O-2 production. Bistris scavenged the g 2 radical. O-2 was generated by the reduction of O2 by a radical derived from bistris. Inositol hexaphosphate inhibited the oxidation by decreasing H2O2 production from oxyhemoglobin.

Buffers↗

Determination of tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol and tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane in fish, marine mammals and sediment.

Tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol (TCP) and tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane (TCPMe) were determined in aquatic organisms and sediment by a method based on Soxhlet extraction, gel permeation chromatography, fractionation over silica and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. TCPMe was identified as the 4-substituted isomer after synthesis of this compound. TCP could be determined by GC/MS with negative chemical ionistation (GC/NCI-MS) with a detection limit of 0.02 g kg(-1) and a recovery of 90%. TCP concentrations in marine mammals from the North Sea and Dutch Wadden Sea ranged from 0.2 to 2 mg kg(-1), and those in marine and freshwater fish samples from 0.005 to 0.4 mg kg(-1) on a lipid wt basis. TCP concentrations in two Rhine delta sediment samples were 1.2 and 3.0 microg kg(-1) dry wt, respectively. TCPMe concentrations, determined by GC/MS with electron impact (GC/EI-MS), were 10-50% of the TCP concentration in all samples analysed.

Journal Article↗

Effect of S-methyl cysteine sulphoxide and its metabolite methyl methane thiosulphinate, both occurring naturally in Brassica vegetables, on mouse genotoxicity.

S-methyl cysteine sulphoxide (SMCSO) and its metabolite methyl methane thiosulphinate (MMTSO), both naturally occurring compounds present in Brassica vegetables, were investigated for their putative ability to inhibit benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)-induced genotoxicity in ICR mice. The mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay was used as an indicator of in vivo genotoxicity. Doses of 0.5 mmol SMCSO and 0.05mmol MMTSO per kg body weight significantly inhibited the formation of B[a]P-induced micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPCEs) by 31 and 33%, respectively, compared with control mice. Two higher doses of MMTSO (0.5 and 1.0 mmol/kg body weight) administered to mice displayed severe acute toxicity. The inhibition of experimental genotoxicity by these two organosulphur compounds present in Brassica may, in part, be responsible for the anticarcinogenic effect of these vegetables.

Animals↗

Genotoxic effects of two industrial effluents and ethyl methane sulfonate in Clarias lazera.

The genotoxic effects of industrial effluents from a brewery and a textile mill and of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) were investigated by the micronucleus test in Clarias lazera, a tropical freshwater fish. Fish obtained from a local market were kept in laboratory aquaria for 3 wk and then exposed to different concentrations (0.5 to 8 mg/litre) of EMS or brewery or textile-mill effluent (10-60%, v/v) for 14 days. The frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes was determined from blood smears and the results were analysed by linear regression and variance analysis. Exposure to EMS or effluent resulted in statistically significant increases in micronucleus frequency and there was a positive dose-response effect over the entire dose range. The textile-mill effluent dose-response curve was significantly higher than that of the brewery effluent. The suitability of the micronucleus test in fish for the screening of aquatic genotoxicants is highlighted and the importance of intensified monitoring of the aquatic environment is emphasized.

Animals↗

Evaluation of the teratogenic potential in Ciba-Geigy Go 10213, a new nitroimidazole derivative: 1-methane-sulphonyl-3-(1-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole-2-yl)-2- imidazolidinone, an amoebicide, trichomonicide and giardicide, in giardicide, in rats.

With a view to evaluate the possible teratogenic potential of 1-methane-sulphonyl-3-(1-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole-2-yl)-2-imidazolidi none (Go 10213), groups of pregnant rats were medicated orally with: 0, 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg of the compound daily from day 6 to day 15 of gestation. Foetuses were removed on day 20 of gestation, and were examined for their mortality, size, weight and any gross malformation. One third of the foetuses were fixed in Bouin's Fluid and sectioned by Wilson's technique for histological evaluation. The remaining pups were examined for the skeletal anomalies. CIBA-GEIGY Go 10213 appears to be neither embryotoxic nor teratogenic to the rat-foetuses, when the mothers were medicated at the aforesaid doses, during their critical phase of the pregnancy.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Effects of the dipyridamol-dihydroergotoxine methane sulphonate associations on pO2 and its incidence in brain tissue.

Several groups of rats were treated with dipyridamol and dihydroergotoxine methane sulphonate and their association. Their clinical constants were then monitored and their brain tissue examined by optical microscopy. This study indicates that the association has a remarkable effect on the pO2, maintaining the level of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration, and moreover a vasodilatory action, facilitating a better supply of oxygen to the cerebral cells. The results show the advantage of these drugs in treating cerebral vascular disease.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗

Effector proteins from P450(cam) and methane monooxygenase: lessons in tuning nature's powerful reagents.

Effector proteins alter the kinetic or catalytic course of many oxygenase reactions. One of the first oxygenase effectors to be described was putidaredoxin, which serves to gate electron transfer into oxy-P450(cam). In the nonheme, methane monooxygenase (MMO) system, the B-component (MMOB) serves a distinct effector function by gating substrate and oxygen into the active site of the hydroxylase component (MMOH). Here the binding parameters and binding surfaces of the MMOB-MMOH complex are determined by site-specific labeling, fluorescence titrations, chemical cross-linking, and MALDI-TOF peptide identification. Based on these data, a model for the bimolecular complex is described and a hypothesis for the structural basis for the effector function is elaborated. The bearing on the putidaredoxin effector function is discussed.

Binding Sites↗

Substrate radical intermediates in soluble methane monooxygenase.

EPR spin-trapping experiments were carried out using the three-component soluble methane monooxygenase (MMO). Spin-traps 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), alpha-4-pyridyl-1-oxide N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN), and nitrosobenzene (NOB) were used to investigate the possible formation of substrate radical intermediates during catalysis. In contrast to a previous report, the NADH-coupled oxidations of various substrates did not produce any trapped radical species when DMPO or POBN was present. However, radicals were detected by these traps when only the MMO reductase component and NADH were present. DMPO and POBN were found to be weak inhibitors of the MMO reaction. In contrast, NOB is a strong inhibitor for the MMO-catalyzed nitrobenzene oxidation reaction. When NOB was used as a spin-trap in the complete MMO system with or without substrate, EPR signals from an NOB radical were detected. We propose that a molecule of NOB acts simultaneously as a substrate and a spin-trap for MMO, yielding the long-lived radical and supporting a stepwise mechanism for MMO.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗

Inhibition of breast cancer cell growth and induction of cell death by 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)methane (DIM) and 5,5'-dibromoDIM.

1,1-Bis(3'-indolyl)methane (DIM) and the 5,5'-dibromo ring substituted DIM (5,5'-diBrDIM) inhibited growth of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, and IC50 values were 10-20 and 1-5 microM, respectively, in both cell lines. DIM and 5,5'-diBrDIM did not induce p21 or p27 protein levels or alter expression of Sp1 or Sp3 proteins in either cell line. In contrast, 10 microM 5,5'-diBrDIM downregulated cyclin D1 protein in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells 12 and 24 h after treatment. DIM (20 microM) also decreased cyclin D1 in MCF-7 (24 h) and MDA-MB-231 (12 h), and the DIM/5,5'-diBrDIM-induced degradation of cyclin D1 was blocked by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Both DIM and 5,5'-diBrDIM induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells and this was accompanied by decreased Bcl-2, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential as determined by the red/green fluorescence of JC-1. DIM and 5,5'-diBrDIM induced extensive necrosis in MDA-MB-231 cells; however, this was accompanied by decreased mitochondrial membrane potential primarily in cells treated with 5,5'-diBrDIM but not DIM. Thus, DIM and 5,5'-diBrDIM induce cell death in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells by overlapping and different pathways, and the ring-substituted DIM represents a novel class of uncharged mitochondrial poisons that inhibit breast cancer cell and tumor growth.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Ameliorative effects of vitamin supplementation on ethyl methane sulphonate-induced genotoxicity in a fish, Anabas testudineus.

The efficacy of 0.02% vitamin C (VC; l-ascorbic acid) and 0.05% beta-carotene (BC) at the rate of 1 ml/100g of body weight in amelioration of ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS)-induced genotoxicity has been studied in an Indian endemic fish, Anabas testudineus by using several cytogenetical endpoints like chromosome aberrations, micronuclei (MN) and abnormal nuclei (AN), and sperm head anomaly at 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after treatment, as compared to suitable controls (distilled water (DW)-treated control for EMS and VC-treated fish, and 1% alcohol-treated control for BC-treated fish). Both VC and BC reduced EMS-induced genotoxicity at all the fixation intervals as compared to their respective controls. Additionally, effects of two more doses of VC (0.01% and 0.05%) and BC (0.02% and 0.1%) were analyzed at 72 h after treatment (at the peak period of EMS genotoxicity) for testing their relative efficacy in amelioration of EMS-induced cytogenetical damage in this fish. All the three doses of both VC and BC appeared to reduce the EMS-induced genotoxicity in this fish to a variable extent, of which the higher dose of VC appeared to give marginally better protection while the dose-response relationship was inconclusive for BC. The results of this study can lead to future research for exploring if low doses of these vitamins may be useful in protecting fish from genotoxic damage on exposure to mutagenic agents in small confined/stagnant waters.

Animals↗

Source apportionment of ambient non-methane hydrocarbons in Hong Kong: application of a principal component analysis/absolute principal component scores (PCA/APCS) receptor model.

Receptor-oriented source apportionment models are often used to identify sources of ambient air pollutants and to estimate source contributions to air pollutant concentrations. In this study, a PCA/APCS model was applied to the data on non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) measured from January to December 2001 at two sampling sites: Tsuen Wan (TW) and Central & Western (CW) Toxic Air Pollutants Monitoring Stations in Hong Kong. This multivariate method enables the identification of major air pollution sources along with the quantitative apportionment of each source to pollutant species. The PCA analysis identified four major pollution sources at TW site and five major sources at CW site. The extracted pollution sources included vehicular internal engine combustion with unburned fuel emissions, use of solvent particularly paints, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or natural gas leakage, and industrial, commercial and domestic sources such as solvents, decoration, fuel combustion, chemical factories and power plants. The results of APCS receptor model indicated that 39% and 48% of the total NMHCs mass concentrations measured at CW and TW were originated from vehicle emissions, respectively. 32% and 36.4% of the total NMHCs were emitted from the use of solvent and 11% and 19.4% were apportioned to the LPG or natural gas leakage, respectively. 5.2% and 9% of the total NMHCs mass concentrations were attributed to other industrial, commercial and domestic sources, respectively. It was also found that vehicle emissions and LPG or natural gas leakage were the main sources of C(3)-C(5) alkanes and C(3)-C(5) alkenes while aromatics were predominantly released from paints. Comparison of source contributions to ambient NMHCs at the two sites indicated that the contribution of LPG or natural gas at CW site was almost twice that at TW site. High correlation coefficients (R(2) > 0.8) between the measured and predicted values suggested that the PCA/APCS model was applicable for estimation of sources of NMHCs in ambient air.

Air Pollutants↗

Catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane by a binuclear Fe(III) complex biomimetic to methane monooxygenase.

A novel binuclear Fe(III) complex [Fe(III)(BPMP)Cl(mu-O)Fe(III)Cl3] (1) was prepared from the reaction between (bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-piperazine) and [Fe(OH2)6]Cl3, in acetonitrile. The title compound was characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical and X-ray crystallography analysis. The catalytic activity of the complex was evaluated through cyclohexane oxidation, using hydrogen peroxide as the terminal oxidant. Reaction products were identified by gas chromatography. Conversions up to 19.2% were observed (12.6% and 6.6% yields for cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, respectively). The catalytic activity exhibited by 1 suggests that it can be considered as a functional biomimetic analog to methane monooxygenase.

Biomimetic Materials↗

Coordination abilities of piperyd-1-yl-methane-1,1-diphosphonic acids towards zinc(II), magnesium(II) and calcium(II): potentiometric and NMR studies.

The combination of the pH-metric and NMR studies is used to examine the stabilities and coordination modes as well as related structural aspects of zinc(II), magnesium(II) and calcium(II) complexation to piperyd-1-yl-methane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (1) and its derivatives containing a topologically modified piperidine ring (2-7). The studied compounds coordinate metal ions exclusively via the phosphonate functions with a nitrogen atom remaining protonated over the whole range of studied pH. Compounds 1-6 readily form soluble multinuclear complexes of type [M(3)(HL)(2)] and [M(3)(HL)(3)](3-) with Zn(2+) or [M(2)(H(2)L)(2)] with Ca(2+) and Mg(2+). These species are formed based on dimers consisting of two head-to-head arranged molecules linked by strong symmetrical hydrogen bonds. The placement of the two methyl groups at 2- and 6-positions on the piperidine ring precludes the molecular recognition via similar hydrogen bonds and accounts for different complexation properties of 7 compared to 1-6. The role that the metal coordination plays on conformation dynamics in 1-7 is also discussed.

Calcium↗

Structure-activity considerations and in vitro approaches to assess the genotoxicity of 19 methane-, benzene- and toluenesulfonic acid esters.

Sulfonic acid esters are considered as potentially alkylating agents that may exert genotoxic effects in bacterial and mammalian cell systems. One possible source of human exposure stems from drug synthesis when the salt-forming agents methanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid are used together with alcoholic solvents such as methanol, ethanol and propanol. In this study computer-assisted structural considerations and in vitro approaches (Ames mutagenicity test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100, and the micronucleus test using L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells) were used to assess the genotoxic properties of 19 sulfonic esters. While all esters may be principally active as genotoxicants based on the presence of the sulfonate moiety, the statistical correlative multiple computer automated structure evaluation (MCASE) system (MC4PC version 1.0) using the Ames mutagenicity A2I module (version 1.54), rank-ordered the activity of the benzenesulfonic acid esters in the Ames test negligible due to an inactivating modulator and a deactivating fragment, whereas the methane- and toluenesulfonic acid esters were predicted to be positive in this test. In the Ames test, with the exception of the p-toluenesulfonic acid ethyl and iso-butyl esters, all compounds came out positive in Salmonella strain TA100. Methanesulfonic iso-propyl, sec-butyl and benzenesulfonic acid iso-propyl ester also showed mutagenic potential in strain TA98. In general, differences between results seen in Ames tests performed with or without metabolic activation were rather small. In L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells, benzenesulfonic acid n- and iso-butyl ester and p-toluenesulfonic acid iso-butyl ester did not increase the number of cells containing micronuclei. The other esters were positive in this micronucleus test; however, methanesulfonic acid iso-butyl ester was found to be only weakly positive at excessively cytotoxic concentrations. These compounds were generally found to be more potent with regard to micronucleus induction when tested without metabolic activation (20 h treatment). In conclusion, the iso-propyl esters of the three sulfonic acids under study were found to be the strongest mutagens, either when tested in the Ames test or the micronucleus assay, whereas p-toluenesulfonic acid iso-butyl ester was the only compound shown to be devoid of a genotoxic potential in both tests.

Animals↗

C3-C12 non-methane hydrocarbons in subtropical Hong Kong: spatial-temporal variations, source-receptor relationships and photochemical reactivity.

Annual data on C3-C12 non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) from different areas in Hong Kong are analyzed to examine the spatial distribution, seasonal variation, source-receptor relationships, and photochemical reactivity of NMHCs in subtropical Hong Kong. As expected, the highest levels of NMHCs were found at roadsides, and the lowest levels were observed at a rural site. For seasonal variations, the rural site showed the lowest NMHCs levels in summer, but the roadside site gave a different picture, with the highest NMHCs levels in summer. This was believed to be due to the strong evaporation of alkanes in the hot season. With the exception of isoprene, NMHCs levels in Hong Kong were generally low compared to those of other overseas cities. Principal component analysis suggested that while the isoprene at the rural site mainly came from biogenic emissions, vehicular emissions were the major source in the urban areas, especially at roadsides. Ratios of hydrocarbons with different reactivities were also analyzed to evaluate the ages of air masses and emission ratios. A high toluene-to-benzene ratio at roadsides was due to the widespread use of aromatic-rich unleaded fuels in Hong Kong. The ratios of total NMHCs to nitrogen oxides were found to be 2 to 10 (ppbC/ppbv) indicating that the formation of photochemical ozone (O3) in Hong Kong is controlled by the levels of NMHCs. The reactivity of hydroxyl radicals (OH) and O3 formation potential of NMHCs were evaluated using the propene-equivalent concentration and maximum incremental reactivity. Isoprene was found to have the highest OH-reactivity and O3 formation potential at the rural site, while toluene was the most important contributor to the two parameters at the roadside site. These results are valuable for the understanding of O3 pollution in Hong Kong and the formulation of an effective strategy to manage O3.

Air Pollutants↗

Estimating the biogenic emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds from the North Western Mediterranean vegetation of Catalonia, Spain.

An estimation of the magnitude of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) emitted by vegetation in Catalonia (NE of the Iberian Peninsula, Spain), in addition to their superficial and temporal distribution, is presented for policy and scientific (photochemical modelling) purposes. It was developed for the year 2000, for different time resolutions (hourly, daily, monthly and annual) and using a high-resolution land-use map (1-km2 squared cells). Several meteorological surface stations provided air temperature and solar radiation data. An adjusted mathematical emission model taking account of Catalonia's conditions was built into a geographic information system (GIS) software. This estimation uses the latest information, mainly relating to: (1) emission factors; (2) better knowledge of the composition of Catalonia's forest cover; and (3) better knowledge of the particular emission behaviour of some Mediterranean vegetal species. Results depict an annual cycle with increasing values in the March-April period with the highest emissions in July-August, followed by a decrease in October-November. Annual biogenic NMVOCs emissions reach 46.9 kt, with monoterpenes the most abundant species (24.7 kt), followed by other biogenic volatile organic compounds (e.g. alcohols, aldehydes and acetone) (16.3 kt), and isoprene (5.9 kt). These compounds signify 52%, 35% and 13%, respectively, of total emission estimates. Peak hourly total emission for a winter day could be less than 10% of the corresponding value for a summer day.

Environmental Monitoring↗

Particulate methane monooxygenase from Methylosinus trichosporium is a copper-containing enzyme.

Particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) has been exfoliated and isolated from membranes of the Methylosinus trichosporium IMV 3011. It appears that the stability of pMMO in the exfoliation process is increased with increasing copper concentration in the growth medium, but extensive intracytoplasmic membrane formed under higher copper concentration may inhibit the exfoliation of active pMMO from membrane. The highest total activity of purified pMMO is obtained with an initial concentration of 6 microM Cu in the growth medium. The purified MMO contains only copper and does not utilize NADH as electron donor. Treatment of purified pMMO with EDTA resulted in little change in copper level, suggesting that the copper in the pMMO is tightly bound with pMMO.

Chelating Agents↗

Influence of the protein kinase C inhibitor 3-[1-[3-(amidinothio) propyl]-1H-indoyl-3-yl]-3-(1-methyl-1H-indoyl-3-yl) maleimide methane sulfonate (Ro-318220) on surfactant secretion in type II pneumocytes.

We have investigated the influence of 3-[1-[3-(amidinothio)propyl]-1H-indoyl-3-yl]-3-(1-methyl-1H- indoyl-3-yl) maleimide methane sulfonate (Ro-318220), a potent and selective inhibitor of protein kinase C, on phosphatidylcholine secretion in response to surfactant secretagogues in rat type II cells. Freshly isolated cells were cultured overnight with [3H]choline to label the phosphatidylcholine pool and were preincubated for 30 min in fresh medium with or without Ro-318220. Secretagogues were then added, and the incubation was continued for 90 min after which [3H]phosphatidylcholine secretion was measured. Ro-318220 (10 microM) almost completely abolished the stimulatory effects of 36 microM terbutaline, 10 microM ATP, and 1 microM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and significantly antagonized the effects of 10 microM 5'-(N-ethylcarboxyamido) adenosine (NECA), 100 microM dioctanoylglycerol, and 0.05 microM ionomycin. The effect of Ro-318220 was dependent on concentration. The IC50 values for Ro-318220 inhibition of the effects of terbutaline, NECA, TPA, and ionomycin were not significantly different. The IC50 value for Ro-318220 inhibition of the effect of TPA in the type II cell (0.05 microM) was similar to that reported for inhibition of protein kinase C in vitro (0.08 microM). We conclude that Ro-318220 antagonizes the effects of the different surfactant secretagogues by antagonizing a step common to the different signaling pathways. It remains to be established if it is protein kinase C or another step that is inhibited.

Adenosine↗