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Carotenoid esters in vegetables and fruits: a screening with emphasis on beta-cryptoxanthin esters.

Carotenoids are found in food plants in free form or as fatty acid esters. Most studies have been carried out after saponification procedures, so the resulting data do not represent the native carotenoid composition of plant tissues. Therefore, nonsaponified extracts of 64 fruits and vegetables have been screened to determine the amount of carotenoid esters in food plants. Because one of the major problems in the quantitation of carotenoids is the availability of pure standard material, the total carotenoid ester content was calculated as lutein dimyristate equivalents. Lutein dimyristate was independently synthesized from lutein and myristoyl chloride. The highest ester concentrations were found in red chili (17.1 mg/100 g) and orange pepper (9.2 mg/100 g); most of the investigated fruits and vegetables showed concentrations up to 1.5 mg/100 g. Special attention was dedicated to beta-cryptoxanthin esters. To enable an accurate detection of the beta-cryptoxanthin ester content, beta-cryptoxanthin was purified from papaya and used for synthesis of beta-cryptoxanthin laurate, myristate, and palmitate, representing the major beta-cryptoxanthin esters in food plants. The study proved tropical and subtropical fruits to be an additional source of beta-cryptoxanthin esters in the human diet. The contents ranged from 8 microg/100 g beta-cryptoxanthin laurate in Tunisian orange to 892 microg/100 g beta-cryptoxanthin laurate in papaya.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

Synthesis of structured lipids containing medium-chain and omega-3 fatty acids.

The ability of different lipases to incorporate omega3 fatty acids, namely, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, C22:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3), into a high-laurate canola oil, known as Laurical 35, was studied. Lipases from Mucor miehei (Lipozyme-IM), Pseudomonas sp. (PS-30), and Candida rugosa (AY-30) catalyzed optimum incorporation of EPA, DPA, and DHA into Laurical 35, respectively. Other lipases used were Candida anatrctica (Novozyme-435) and Aspergillus niger (AP-12). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to obtain a maximum incorporation of EPA, DPA, and DHA into high-laurate canola oil. The process variables studied were the amount of enzyme (2-6%), reaction temperature (35-55 degrees C), and incubation time (12-36 h). The amount of water added and mole ratio of substrates (oil to n-3 fatty acids) were kept at 2% and 1:3, respectively. The maximum incorporation of EPA (62.2%) into Laurical 35 was predicted at 4.36% of enzyme load and 43.2 degrees C over 23.9 h. Under optimum conditions (5.41% enzyme; 38.7 degrees C; 33.5 h), the incorporation of DPA into high-laurate canola oil was 50.8%. The corresponding maximum incorporation of DHA (34.1%) into Laurical 35 was obtained using 5.25% enzyme, at 43.7 degrees C, over 44.7 h. Thus, the number of double bonds and the chain length of fatty acids had a marked effect on the incorporation omega3 fatty acids into Laurical 35. EPA and DHA were mainly esterified to the sn-1,3 positions of the modified oils, whereas DPA was randomly distributed over the three positions of the triacylglycerol molecules. Meanwhile, lauric acid remained esterified mainly to the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of the modified oils. Enzymatically modified Laurical 35 with EPA, DPA, or DHA had higher conjugated diene (CD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values than their unmodified counterpart. Thus, enzymatically modified oils were more susceptible to oxidation than their unmodified counterparts, when both CD and TBARS values were considered.

Aspergillus niger↗

Chain-length dependency of interactions of medium-chain fatty acids with glucose metabolism in acini isolated from lactating rat mammary glands. A putative feed-back to control milk lipid synthesis from glucose.

The effects of a series of medium-chain fatty acids (C6-C12) on glucose metabolism in isolated acini from lactating rat mammary glands have been studied. Hexanoate (C6) octanoate (C8) and decanoate (C10), but not laurate (C12), decreased [1-14C]glucose conversion into [14C]lipid and the production of 14CO2 (an index of the pentose phosphate pathway). With hexanoate and octanoate, glucose utilization was decreased, whereas decanoate had a slight stimulatory effect on glucose utilization, but there was a large accumulation of lactate. Addition of dichloroacetate (an inhibitor of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase) decreased this accumulation of lactate and stimulated the conversion of [1-14C]glucose into [14C]lipid and 14CO2. Insulin had no effect on the rate of glucose utilization in the presence of hexanoate. It stimulated the rate in the presence of octanoate and laurate and increased the conversion of [1-14C]glucose into [14C]lipid in the presence of octanoate, decanoate or laurate. The major fate of 1-14C-labelled medium-chain fatty acids (C6, C8 and C12) was conversion into [14C]lipid. The proportion converted into 14CO2 decreased with increasing chain length, whereas the rate of [14C]lipid formation increased. It is concluded that the interactions between medium-chain fatty acids and glucose metabolism represent a feed-back mechanism to control milk lipid synthesis, and this may be important when milk accumulates in the gland.

Animals↗

Effect of cold shock on lipid A biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. Induction At 12 degrees C of an acyltransferase specific for palmitoleoyl-acyl carrier protein.

Palmitoleate is not present in lipid A isolated from Escherichia coli grown at 30 degrees C or higher, but it comprises approximately 11% of the fatty acyl chains of lipid A in cells grown at 12 degrees C. The appearance of palmitoleate at 12 degrees C is accompanied by a decline in laurate from approximately 18% to approximately 5.5%. We now report that wild-type E. coli shifted from 30 degrees C to 12 degrees C acquire a novel palmitoleoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP)-dependent acyltransferase that acts on the key lipid A precursor Kdo2-lipid IVA. The palmitoleoyl transferase is induced more than 30-fold upon cold shock, as judged by assaying extracts of cells shifted to 12 degrees C. The induced activity is maximal after 2 h of cold shock, and then gradually declines but does not disappear. Strains harboring an insertion mutation in the lpxL(htrB) gene, which encodes the enzyme that normally transfers laurate from lauroyl-ACP to Kdo2-lipid IVA (Clementz, T., Bednarski, J. J., and Raetz, C. R. H. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 12095-12102) are not defective in the cold-induced palmitoleoyl transferase. Recently, a gene displaying 54% identity and 73% similarity at the protein level to lpxL was found in the genome of E. coli. This lpxL homologue, designated lpxP, encodes the cold shock-induced palmitoleoyl transferase. Extracts of cells containing lpxP on the multicopy plasmid pSK57 exhibit a 10-fold increase in the specific activity of the cold-induced palmitoleoyl transferase compared with cells lacking the plasmid. The elevated specific activity of the palmitoleoyl transferase under conditions of cold shock is attributed to greatly increased levels of lpxP mRNA. The replacement of laurate with palmitoleate in lipid A may reflect the desirability of maintaining the optimal outer membrane fluidity at 12 degrees C.

Acyl Carrier Protein↗

An Escherichia coli mutant lacking the cold shock-induced palmitoleoyltransferase of lipid A biosynthesis: absence of unsaturated acyl chains and antibiotic hypersensitivity at 12 degrees C.

An acyltransferase induced by cold shock in Escherichia coli, designated LpxP, incorporates a palmitoleoyl moiety into nascent lipid A in place of the secondary laurate chain normally added by LpxL(HtrB) (Carty, S. M., Sreekumar, K. R., and Raetz, C. R. H. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 9677-9685). To determine whether the palmitoleoyl residue alters the properties of the outer membrane and imparts physiological benefits at low growth temperatures, we constructed a chromosomal insertion mutation in lpxP, the structural gene for the transferase. Membranes from the lpxP mutant MKV11 grown at 12 degrees C lacked the cold-induced palmitoleoyltransferase present in membranes of cold-shocked wild type cells but retained normal levels of the constitutive lauroyltransferase encoded by lpxL. When examined by mass spectrometry, about two-thirds of the lipid A molecules isolated from wild type E. coli grown at 12 degrees C contained palmitoleate in place of laurate, whereas the lipid A of cold-adapted MKV11 contained only laurate in amounts comparable with those seen in wild type cells grown at 30 degrees C or above. To probe the integrity of the outer membrane, MKV11 and an isogenic wild type strain were grown at 30 or 12 degrees C and then tested for their susceptibility to antibiotics. MKV11 exhibited a 10-fold increase in sensitivity to rifampicin and vancomycin at 12 degrees C compared with wild type cells but showed identical resistance when grown at 30 degrees C. We suggest that the palmitoleoyltransferase may confer a selective advantage upon E. coli cells growing at lower temperatures by making the outer membrane a more effective barrier to harmful chemicals.

Acyltransferases↗

Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbitan isostearate, sorbitan olivate, sorbitan sesquiisostearate, sorbitan sesquistearate, and sorbitan triisostearate.

Sorbitan fatty acid esters are mono-, di-, and triesters of fatty acids and sorbitol-derived hexitol anhydrides. They function as surfactants in cosmetic formulations. Previously, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel had reviewed the safety of several of these sorbitan fatty acid esters (Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Trioleate, and Sorbitan Tristearate). This safety assessment is an addendum to that report that includes Sorbitan Caprylate, Sorbitan Cocoate, Sorbitan Diisostearate, Sorbitan Dioleate, Sorbitan Distearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Sorbitan Sesquistearate, and Sorbitan Triisostearate. Although concentrations of these ingredients up to 25% have been reported to be used, most commonly they are used at less than 10%. These esters may be hydrolyzed to the fatty acid and anhydrides of Sorbitol. Fatty Acids are absorbed and metabolized. Sorbitan fatty acid esters were relatively nontoxic via ingestion in acute and long-term studies. They were generally minimal to mild skin irritants in animal studies, except that Sorbitan Isostearate applied to the skin was a moderate irritant in one rabbit study and when injected intradermally caused mild to severe irritation in guinea pigs. Sorbitan fatty acid esters did not sensitize guinea pigs. The fatty acid component, tested alone, typically caused only slight irritation and sensitization, and was not photosensitizing. Sorbitan fatty acid esters were not ocular irritants. Fatty acids are normal components of diet for which no data were available concerning reproductive or developmental toxicity, but Sorbitol had no adverse effects on the reproduction of CD rats during a multigeneration feeding study and was not a reproductive toxin at doses of 3000 to 7000 mg/kg/day for 2 years. Overall these esters and their corresponding fatty acids were not mutagenic, but Sorbitan Oleate was reported to reduce DNA repair following ultraviolet radiation exposure in human lymphocytes in culture. Sorbitan Laurate and Sorbitan Trioleate were cocarcinogens in one mouse study, but Sorbitan Trioleate and Sorbitan Oleate were not tumor promoters in another study. In clinical tests, Sorbitan fatty acid esters were generally minimal to mild skin irritants and were nonsensitizing, but Sorbitan Sesquioleate did produce an allergic reaction in fewer than 1% of patients with suspected contact dermatitis and addition of Sorbitan Sesquioleate to the components of a fragrance mix used in patch testing increased both irritant and allergic reactions to the fragrance mix. Careful consideration was made of the data on the cocarcinogenesis of Sorbitan Laurate and Sorbitan Trioleate, but the high exposure levels, high frequency of exposure, and absence of a dose-response led to the conclusion that there was not a cocarcinogenesis risk with the use of these ingredients in cosmetic formulations. Accordingly, these ingredients were considered safe for use in cosmetic formulations under the present practices of use.

Animals↗

Cytochrome P-450-Dependent omega-Hydroxylation of Lauric Acid by Microsomes from Pea Seedlings.

Microsomes from apical buds of pea (Pisum sativum L. var. Téléphone à rames) seedlings hydroxylate lauric acid at the omega-position. This oxidation is catalyzed by a cytochrome P-450 enzyme which differs from laurate hydroxylases previously described in microorganisms and mammals by its strict substrate specificity and the ability of low NADH concentrations to support unusually high oxidation rates. The apparent K(m) for lauric acid was 20 micromolar. NADPH- and NADH-dependent laurate hydroxylation followed non-Michaelian kinetics with apparent K(m) values ranging from 0.2 to 28 micromolar for NADPH, and 0.2 to 318 micromolar for NADH. When induced by the photomorphogenic photoreceptor phytochrome, the time course for the enhancement of laurate omega-hydroxylase was totally different from that of the cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase, providing evidence for the existence of multiple cytochrome P-450 species in pea microsomes.

Journal Article↗

Expression of lauroyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase in brassica napus seeds induces pathways for both fatty acid oxidation and biosynthesis and implies a set point for triacylglycerol accumulation

Expression of a California bay lauroyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase (MCTE) in developing seeds of transgenic oilseed rape alters the fatty acid composition of the mature seed, resulting in up to 60 mol% of laurate in triacylglycerols. In this study, we examined the metabolism of lauric acid and 14C-acetate in developing seeds of oilseed rape that express high levels of MCTE. Lauroyl-CoA oxidase activity but not palmitoyl-CoA oxidase activity was increased several-fold in developing seeds expressing MCTE. In addition, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase activities were six- and 30-fold higher, respectively, in high-laurate developing seeds. Control seeds incorporated 14C-acetate almost entirely into fatty acids, whereas in seeds expressing MCTE, only 50% of the label was recovered in lipids and the remainder was in a range of water-soluble components, including sucrose and malate. Together, these results indicate that the pathways for beta-oxidation and the glyoxylate cycle have been induced in seeds expressing high levels of MCTE. Although a substantial portion of the fatty acid produced in these seeds is recycled to acetyl-CoA and sucrose through the beta-oxidation and glyoxylate cycle pathways, total seed oil is not reduced. How is oil content maintained if lauric acid is inefficiently converted to triacylglycerol? The levels of acyl carrier protein and several enzymes of fatty acid synthesis were increased two- to threefold at midstage development in high-laurate seeds. These results indicate that a coordinate induction of the fatty acid synthesis pathway occurs, presumably to compensate for the lauric acid lost through beta-oxidation or for a shortage of long-chain fatty acids.

Journal Article↗

A microsomal (cytochrome P-450)-linked lauric-acid-monooxygenase from aged Jerusalem-artichoke-tuber tissues.

A lauric acid monooxygenase which catalyzes the formation of hydroxylaurate from lauric acid has been characterized in ageing tissues of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) tuber. Three reaction products have been identified from the mass fragmentation pattern of their methyltrimethylsilyl derivatives: 10-hydroxylauric acid, 9-hydroxylauric acid and 8-hydroxylauric acid. Enzyme activity is located on the microsomal fraction which also carries cytochrome P-450 and NADPH cytochrome-c reductase. The apparent Km of the enzyme for lauric acid is 0.97 micronM. Laurate monooxygenation is dependent upon O2 and inhibited by CO. The latter effect is light reversible. NADPH is the preferred electron donor although appreciable NADH-sustained activity was observed. NADPH cytochrome c reductase is involved in electron transfer as evidenced by the inhibitory effects of NADP+ and oxidized cytochrome c on laurate monooxygenation. Thus, the enzyme catalyzing laurate oxidation in Jerusalem artichoke tuber tissues appears to be a typical (cytochrome P-450)-linked monooxygenase.

Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System↗

Studies on acid lipase, and E 600-resistant acid esterase activities in human tissue homogenates.

Detailed comparison of acid lipase and acid esterase activities of human spleen, liver and kidney homogenates has been carried out by means of the following substrates: 14C-tripalmitin, alpha-naphthyl acetate, alpha-naphthyl butyrate, alpha-naphthyl laurate, p-nitro-phenyl acetate, butyrate and laurate. In addition, homogenates of the three tissues were subjected to isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels and histochemical staining with the above mentioned naphthyl substrates in the presence and absence of the organophosphate esterase inhibitor diethyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate (E 600). These studies provide extensive support for the proposal that E 600-resistant acid naphthyl butyryl and lauryl esterase activities in human tissues derive largely from the enzyme acid lipase. The studies suggest that the most specific chromogenic substrate for this enzyme at a biochemical and histochemical level is alpha-napthyl laurate in the presence of E600 (3 X 10(-6) M).

Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases↗

Preparation and evaluation of fatty acid esters of 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazole as fluorescent substrates for measurement of lipase activity.

A series of four aliphatic carboxylic acid esters (acetate, caproate, laurate and palmitate) of 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazole (HDPI) was prepared. Usefulness of these esters as fluorescent substrates for the measurement of lipase activity was evaluated using a high performance liquid chromatographic method. The hydrolysate, HDPI, could be well separated from each substrate by a reversed-phase column and detected at 440 nm emission (cutoff-filter) with 360 nm excitation. Lipase from Candida cylindracea was used for the investigation. From their kinetic parameters, the caproate and laurate were found to be suitable for the lipase. Using the laurate, from 5 to 500 mU per assay tube of the lipase was determined.

Candida↗

Altered toxicities of fatty acid salts in green paramecia cultured in different waters.

Detergents including fatty acid salts act as surface-active agents and thus possibly damage the plasma membrane structures of aquatic organisms. Therefore, when excess, the house-used and industrial outflows of such detergents into aquatic environments may have considerable impacts on the ecosystem. In this study, we propose the use of green paramecia (Paramecium bursaria) for assessing the acute toxicity of eight fatty acid salts (Na and K salts of oleate, palmitate, laurate and myristate) under various water conditions. The Paramecium in the stationary phase were used for a toxicity assay carried out on 12-well microplates and the median lethal concentration (LC50) was determined for each fatty acid salt. In the low mineral culture medium prepared with ultra-pure water, the LC50 for each fatty acid ranged from 5.8 to 144 ppm (w/v). The toxic levels of fatty acid salts differed in the following order: laurate, myristate > or = oleate, palmitate. The toxic levels of oleate and palmitate salts were ca. 10-fold lower than those of laurate and myristate salts. When river water and local tap water instead of ultra-pure water were used for culturing, the toxic levels of all fatty acid salts were drastically lowered compared to the low mineral condition by 30- to 100-fold (198-660 ppm, w/v). Similar detoxification effect was observed when Ca or Mg was added to the low mineral culture media, indicating that the toxicity of fatty acid salts can be notably lowered as the mineral content increases. As we demonstrated that toxicities of fatty acid salts can be lowered in river water and tap water compared to the low mineral condition, some chemical substances behave differently in the different water conditions. Therefore, the use of natural waters reflecting the real environmental conditions in further collection of data on the ecotoxicity impacts of variety of chemicals is highly encouraged.

Animals↗

Role of the ADP/ATP and aspartate/glutamate antiporters in the uncoupling effect of fatty acids, lauryl sulfate, and 2, 4-dinitrophenol in liver mitochondria.

Study of the uncoupling effect of various saturated fatty acids (from caprylic to palmitic) revealed that the glutamate recoupling effect was more pronounced in the case of short chain fatty acids, whereas recoupling of mitochondria by carboxyatractylate was more effective in the case of long chain fatty acids. The overall recoupling effect, however, did not depend on the fatty acid chain length. Besides carboxyatractylate, glutamate and aspartate also exhibited a recoupling effect under uncoupling by lauryl sulfate. The uncoupling effect of lauryl sulfate was markedly weaker in the presence of DNP or laurate (but not FCCP) which were added in concentrations causing twofold increase in mitochondrial respiration. In the presence of lauryl sulfate the uncoupling action of laurate and DNP was insensitive to carboxyatractylate and glutamate. With laurate and DNP as uncouplers increasing the pH from 7.0 to 7.8 potentiated the recoupling effect of carboxyatractylate and attenuated the recoupling effect of glutamate. In the case of uncoupling by lauryl sulfate similar changes in the recoupling effect of carboxyatractylate and glutamate were observed only in the presence of 10 microM tetraphenylphosphonium. Thus, when uncoupling is induced by fatty acids, DNP, and lauryl sulfate, the ADP/ATP and aspartate/glutamate antiporters function as two parallel and independent pathways for mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation. We suggest that the role of the ADP/ATP antiporter in uncoupling includes proton capture from the intermembrane space with subsequent protonation of uncoupler anions, their transport as neutral molecules on the internal side, and deprotonation followed by proton release into the matrix and transfer of the uncoupler anion in the reverse direction. During uncoupling the aspartate/glutamate antiporter cyclically carries the uncoupler anion with simultaneous proton transfer from the intermembrane space into the matrix.

2,4-Dinitrophenol↗

Effect of (+/-)-2-(dimethylamino)-1-[[o-(m-methoxyphenethyl)phenoxy] methyl]ethyl hydrogen succinate on experimental models of peripheral obstructive disease.

Peripheral obstructive disease in tail or hind limb was experimentally induced by intravenous injection of kappa-carrageenin or intra-arterial injection of sodium laurate in rats, and the suppressive effect of (+/-)-2-(dimethylamino)-1-[[o-(m-methoxyphenethyl)phenoxy] methyl]ethyl hydrogen succinate (MCI-9042, CAS 125926-17-2) on the peripheral obstructive diseases was examined. The injection of kappa-carrageenin induced a thrombotic infarction of the tail vessel in rats. The administration of MCI-9042 dose-dependently suppressed the peripheral infarction with an ED50 value of 16 mg/kg p.o. Ticlopidine, a reference antiplatelet drug, did not affect the peripheral infarction even at 50 mg/kg p.o. Cyproheptadine, however, an S2-serotonergic antagonist, potently suppressed the peripheral infarction with an ED50 of 3.5 mg/kg p.o. After the injection of sodium laurate into the femoral artery in rats peripheral lesions of the paw were generated and extended. MCI-9042 significantly prevented the progression of the disease at doses of 10 mg/kg p.o. and above. When the daily administration of MCI-9042 was started from 1 day after the laurate injection, it was also effective as well as by pretreatment. Ticlopidine was significantly effective only at 100 mg/kg p.o. as pretreatment. From the present study, it is considered that platelet-derived serotonin plays an important role in the development of peripheral obstructive disease and MCI-9042 suppressed the disease through its S2-serotonergic antagonism.

Animals↗

Azoreduction of dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB) in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Effect of hypolipidemic agents.

This laboratory has investigated the azoreduction of the hepatocarcinogen, N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene (DAB), by hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450) and its specific induction by the hypolipidemic drug, clofibrate. To extend these studies further, a primary hepatocyte culture system was developed as a model. Hepatocytes isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated in a basal medium containing fetal calf serum, insulin, and hydrocortisone for up to 96 hr with varying concentrations of clofibrate or nafenopin, a related hypolipidemic agent. Both DAB azoreductase and laurate hydroxylase activities decreased rapidly in control cultures. However, there was gradual marked induction of both activities in medium supplemented with clofibrate: hydrocortisone was required for induction. Nafenopin stabilized and induced DAB azoreductase and laurate hydroxylase activities, respectively. The responses of both activities were dose dependent. DAB azoreductase and laurate hydroxylase activities in control hepatocytes retained their ability to respond to clofibrate for up to 96 hr, although the response gradually diminished after 24 hr. In all cases, maximal induction of both enzyme activities was observed 72 hr after addition of drug. Phenobarbital and beta-naphthoflavone did not induce DAB azoreduction, although the normal induction of other P-450-catalyzed pathways, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation and ethlymorphine N-demethylation, were seen. Suppression of DAB azoreductase activity by inhibitors of P-450 activity confirmed the involvement of this enzyme in DAB azoreduction. The results demonstrate that a primary culture of rat hepatocytes is a useful model for studying the regulation of DAB azoreductase activity.

Animals↗

Effect of beraprost sodium on peripheral circulation insufficiency in rats and rabbits.

Beraprost sodium (sodium (+/-)-(1R*,2R*,3aS*,8bS*)-2,3,3a,8b-tetrahydro-2- hydroxy-1-[(E)-(3S*)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-1-octen-6-ynyl]-1H- cyclopenta[b]benzofuran-5-butyrate, TRK-100) is a chemically and biologically stable epoprostenol analogue which possesses both potent antiplatelet and peripheral vasodilating actions. Its effect on obstruction of the peripheral artery was studied in three different models: 1. acute thrombosis induced by electrical-stimulation of the femoral artery in rabbits, 2. occlusion induced by intra-arterial injection of sodium laurate in rats and 3. tail gangrene induced by subcutaneous injections of both ergotamine and epinephrine in rats. Oral administration of beraprost sodium resulted in suppression of thrombus formation in the acute thrombosis model, marked improvement of macroscopic and histological observations in the laurate-occlusion model and inhibition of tail gangrene extension. In contrast, ticlopidine improved thrombus formation in the acute thrombosis model and slightly improved histological observation in the laurate-occlusion model, but not in the tail gangrene model. Cilostazol suppressed lesions in the acute thrombosis model, but not in the tail gangrene model. These findings suggest that beraprost sodium may be very useful clinically for the therapy of peripheral circulation insufficiency diseases such as Buerger's disease and Raynaud's disease.

Acute Disease↗

Cholesteryl esters of saturated fatty acids: cosolubility and fractionation of binary mixtures.

Factors affecting the solid state miscibility of saturated chain cholesteryl esters were determined from electron diffraction and differential scanning calorimetric measurements on a homologous series which included two types of crystal packing. Electron diffraction patterns from solution- and epitaxially crystallized microcrystals gave measured unit cell constants consistent with the bilayer crystal form for myristate, pentadecanoate, palmitate, and stearate esters. Cholesteryl undecanoate crystallized as the monolayer I structure and cholesteryl laurate was polymorphic, packing in either monolayer I or bilayer forms. No evidence was found for the monolayer II form of the laurate claimed in earlier work. It is clear that solid solution formation follows general rules formulated earlier by Kitaigorodskii for molecular crystals. A symmetry criterion must be satisfied first of all, i.e., two compounds that solidify in greatly different crystal structures will not form continuous solid solutions (e.g., cholesteryl undecanoate/cholesteryl myristate). Within a given crystal structure type, solid solution is permitted when the molecular volumes are similar. (For example, cholesteryl myristate forms an ideal solid solution with cholesteryl pentadecanoate, a nonideal solution with cholesteryl palmitate, and a eutectic of solid solutions with cholesteryl stearate.) For the polymorphic cholesteryl laurate, solid solutions of either the monolayer I structure (e.g., with cholesteryl undecanoate) or bilayer structure (e.g., with cholesteryl myristate) are permitted.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

The sulfur-cyanolysis sites of serum albumin: metabolite competition studies.

In the presence of a source of sulfane sulfur, a cyanolysis reaction catalyzed by serum albumin may contribute to cyanide detoxication. The active site for this catalysis by serum albumin has been investigated in competition studies with ligands that have known albumin binding sites. Despite complications caused by the occurrence of multiple primary and secondary sites for many ligands, the results show that the primary sites for bilirubin, steroids, indoles, aspirin, and palmitate are distinct from that for sulfur. Laurate is a tight-binding partial inhibitor of the cyanolysis reaction, competitive with cyanide rather than with sulfur. In view of the formal mechanism previously established for the catalyzed reaction, this result indicates that the sulfur-cyanolysis site is probably near the site occupied by laurate.

Aspirin↗