Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in highly exposed coke plant workers by measurement of urinary phenanthrene and pyrene metabolites (phenols and dihydrodiols)

Summary A filter combination consisting of an impregnated glass fibre and a control filter was used for the collection of air samples in which gaseous and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined. To estimate the loss of lower boiling PAHs, d₁₀-phenanthrene was applied as internal standard. A simple, well-reproducible method for the determination of 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1,2-, 3,4- and 9,10 dihydroxydihydrophenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene and 1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydropyrene is described. By means of personal air samplers the exposure to PAHs of four coke plant employees working at different locations was measured over 4 days. Simultaneously the 24-h urine was collected and stored frozen until analysed. The main excretion product of pyrene is a 1-hydroxypyrene conjugate, whereas phenanthrene is excreted predominantly as dihydrodiol conjugate. As expected, workers on the battery topside were exposed the most and accordingly excreted by far the highest amounts of PAHs. Up to 34.0 g phenanthrol conjugates (total of all isomeric phenols) and 195.5 g dihydrodiol conjugates (total of all isomeric dihydrodiols) were excreted in the 24-h urine (mean of 4 days). The metabolite profiles of five isomeric phenanthrene phenols and three isomeric dihydrodiols exhibited only small percentage variations within one individual whereas significant interindividual differences were observed. These findings may indicate a genetically determined enzyme pattern responsible for the metabolic conversion of PAHs.This paper is dedicated to Professor Dr. R. Preußmann on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

菱属植物化学成分和药理活性研究

我国菱属植物资源较为丰富,其菱实在民间被广泛应用,具有很高的食用价值和药用价值,其中被丢弃的菱壳也显示出很多药理活性,通过对菱属植物的化学成分和药理活性进行综述,展望今后菱属植物的研究重点和应用前景,对菱属植物化学成分及其药理活性进行更深入的研究,并为今后合理开发利用该属植物资源提供依据.     

酚类灼伤所致中毒的临床研究

目的：探索酚类灼伤所致酶中毒的影响因素及酚中毒的临床特点，方法：收集并筛选本院近25年酚类灼伤的病例，重点对灼面积、部位、尿液颜色、尿酚含量与酚中毒的关系进行统计学分析。结果：酚中毒及各脏器损害的发生率的尿酚异常率，随灼伤面积增大而增高（P＜0．05－0．01），且在面颈部灼伤者中发生率显著增高（P＜0．05）。酚中毒的临床特点为肾脏是靶器官，中枢神经系统，溶血及心脏损害发生率高，且均为早期表现，肝脏的急性影响相对较少。结论：导致酚中毒的影响因素主要是灼伤面积，部位及创面的早期处理，酚类灼伤可导致多脏器功能障碍综合征，发生时间大多在24－48h内。     

茶多酚与茶色素对大鼠肝癌前病变组织细胞周期调节因子的影响

目的 利用大鼠肝癌前病变模型探讨茶多酚和茶色素对细胞周期因子的影响。方法 采用改良的Solt-Farber大鼠肝癌癌前病变模型,分别饮用0．1％和0．1％茶多酚,喂养56d。采用Westernblot方法观察细胞周期素D1、D21^WAF1/CIPI、GADD45和PCNA蛋白的表达;用RT－PCR在mRNA水平观察Ckd4的表达。结果 茶多酚和茶色素显著抑制细胞周期素D1、Ckd4和PCNA表达,诱导P21^WAF1／CIP1和GAD45蛋白表达。结论 茶多酚和茶色素通过调节细胞周期调节因子而诱导细胞周期阻滞,抑制细胞过度增值。     

Effect of the long-term regular intake of virgin olive oil on the phenolic metabolites in human fasting plasma

The effect of repeated consumption of virgin olive oil on endogenous phenolic metabolites of fasting plasma is unknown. For this reason, we hypothesized that regular long-term virgin olive oil intake could have an indirect protection effect on the endogenous phenols. Thus, the aim of the study was to determine the phenolic profile of human plasma in a fasting state of long-term regular virgin olive oil consumers, using the fasting plasma of non-consumers as a natural control. Forty participants living in the area of Reus (Catalonia, Spain) were selected, 20 life-long regular consumers of virgin olive oil and a natural control of 20 non-consumers, the latter being Rumanians who dislike the taste of olive oil. The diet was obtained from 3-day food records. The results showed similar phenolic composition of fasting plasmas of the two volunteer groups. Of special interest is that more of the compounds quantified showed higher concentration in fasting plasma from habitual virgin olive oil consumers. The compounds were semi-quantified using caffeic acid as the calibration standard. The quantification of fasting consumer's plasma showed higher concentration of a hydroxyflavanone type compound (2.90 ± 0.04 μM vs 1.5 ± 0.04 μM) and a catecholamine derivative (0.70 ± 0.03 μM vs 0.56 ± 0.03 μM) than the plasma of non-consumers (P < 0.05). The results suggest an indirect protective mechanism of long-term regular virgin olive oil consumption related to the protection of the endogenous antioxidant system.     

Phenolic compounds in olive oil: antioxidant, health and organoleptic activities according to their chemical structure

Hydrophilic phenols are the most abundant natural antioxidants of virgin olive oil (VOO), in which, however, tocopherols and carotenes are also present. The prevalent classes of hydrophilic phenols found in VOO are phenolic alcohols and acids, flavonoids, lignans and secoiridoids. Among these substances the last two classes include the most concentrate phenols of VOO. Secoiridoids, like aglycone derivatives of oleuropein, demethyloleuropein and ligstroside, are present in olive fruit as most abundant VOO phenolic antioxidants. Several important biological properties (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive and anti-cancer) and the characteristic pungent and bitter tasty properties have been attributed to VOO phenols. Relationships between polyphenols activities and their chemical structures are discussed in this paper. Received 15 April 2008; accepted 7 November 2008     

Evaluation of wound healing activity of root of Mimosa pudica

Ethno pharmacological relevance

Mimosa pudica, commonly known as touch-me-not, is used in folklore medicine in arresting bleeding and in skin diseases.

Aim

There was no scientific evidence justifying the use of Mimosa pudica, therefore the present study was aimed at evaluation of wound healing activity of the plant.

Materials and methods

In the present study the roots of Mimosa pudica were studied for wound healing activity by incorporating the methanolic and the total aqueous extract in simple ointment base B.P. in concentration of 0.5% (w/w), 1% (w/w) and 2% (w/w). Wound healing activity was studied in three types of model in rats viz. excision, incision and estimation of biochemical parameter. In case of the excision wound model wound contraction and period of epithelization was studied while in incision wound model was evaluated by determining tensile strength and hydroxyproline content in the scab.

Results

Treatment of wound with ointment containing 2% (w/w) the methanolic and 2% (w/w) the total aqueous extract exhibited significant (P < 0.001) wound healing activity. The methanolic and total aqueous extracts were analyzed for total phenols content equivalent to Gallic acid. The content of total phenols was 11% (w/w) and 17% (w/w) in methanolic and total aqueous extract respectively.

Conclusion

The methanolic extract exhibited good wound healing activity probably due to phenols constituents.     

葡多酚对辐射引发胰腺细胞Bcl-2和Bax蛋白异常表达的影响

目的探讨葡多酚（GPC）对亚慢性辐射引发的小鼠胰腺细胞凋亡及Bcl-2和Bax蛋白异常表达的抑制作用.方法给口服GPC的小鼠用60Co γ射线进行亚慢性辐照（每周5次,连续4周）,末次照射后第2天处死动物,取胰腺组织用免疫组化染色试剂盒测定Bcl-2和Bax表达水平、透射电镜观察细胞超微结构的变化.结果GPC保护组Bcl-2表达率为51.1%,较辐射对照组升高;而Bax表达率则低于辐射对照组;细胞超微结构损伤较辐射对照组减轻.各项差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论GPC可抑制亚慢性辐射诱发的小鼠胰腺细胞凋亡及Bcl-2和Bax蛋白异常表达,对亚慢性辐射损伤有一定防护作用.     

Phenols and antioxidant activity of hydro-alcoholic extracts of propolis from Algarve,South of Portugal

Propolis is a natural honeybee product known to be beneficial for human health, with a complex chemical composition, highly dependent on the collection site. The objective of the present research was to evaluate phenols and antioxidant activity of propolis samples collected in three main areas of Algarve, South of Portugal. Water revealed to be less effective for extracting phenolic compounds from propolis than the methanol and water/ethanol. The last two were good extraction solvents of phenols. Nevertheless water/ethanol was the solvent chosen because it was able to extract phenols in considerable amounts being less toxic than methanol.     

Temporal variability in urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites, phytoestrogens and phenols among minority children in the United States

BACKGROUND: Exposure to endocrine disruptors (EDs), including some phthalates, phytoestrogens and phenols can be quantified using biomarkers of exposure. However, reliability in the use of these biomarkers requires an understanding of the timeframe of exposure represented by one measurement. Data on the temporal variability of ED biomarkers are sparse, especially among children. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate intraindividual temporal variability in 19 individual urinary biomarkers (eight phthalate metabolites from six phthalate diesters, six phytoestrogens (two lignans and four isoflavones) and five phenols) among New York City children. METHODS: Healthy Hispanic and Black children (N=35; 6-10 years old) donated several urine samples over 6 months. To assess temporal variability we used three statistical methods: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Spearman correlation coefficients (SCC) between concentrations measured at different timepoints, and surrogate category analysis to determine how well the tertile categories based on a single measurement represented a 6-month average concentration. RESULTS: Surrogate category analysis indicated that a single sample provides reliable ranking for all analytes; at least three of four surrogate samples predicted the 6-month mean concentration. Of the 19 analytes, the ICC was >0.2 for 18 analytes and >0.3 for 10 analytes. Correlations among sample concentrations throughout the 6-month period were observed for all analytes; 14 analyte concentrations were correlated at 16 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The reasonable degree of temporal reliability and the wide range of concentrations of phthalate metabolites, phytoestrogens and phenols suggest that these biomarkers are appropriate for use in epidemiologic studies of environmental exposures in relation to health outcomes in children.