Role of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase in renal uptake and toxicity of inorganic mercury in mice

The role of renal glutathione (GSH) metabolism as a mediating factor in the renal uptake and toxicity of inorganic mercury was investigated in mice by preadministering a γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) inhibitor, acivicin. Pretreatment with acivicin (0.25, 1.0 or 2.5 mmol/kg, i.p.) led to a dose-dependent decrease in renal mercury content and increases in mercury and GSH contents in urine measured 2 h after HgCl₂ injection (18 μmol/kg, i.v.). Acivicin pretreatment also ameliorated the renal and lethal toxicity caused by administration of inorganic mercury. Treatment of the mice with 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB, 2.5 mmol/kg, i.p.), a specific depletor of hepatic GSH, prior to HgCl₂ injection substantially reduced renal Hg content and consequently reduced the renal damage. In addition, coadministration of GSH (36 μmol/kg, i.v.) with HgCl₂ increased the renal Hg content measured 5 min after HgCl₂ injection to 2.6 fold higher than that of mice treated with HgCl₂ alone. These results suggest that renal uptake of inorganic mercury, which is supposedly transported to the kidney as a mercury-GSH complex, is dependent on a reaction catalyzed by GGT on the outer surface of the renal brush border membrane in the same manner as the metabolism of GSH.     

Effect of treatment with mercury chloride and lead acetate during the second stage of rapid postnatal brain growth on δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activity in brain, liver, kidney and blood of suckling rats

The sensitivity of developing rodents to toxic metals differs considerably from that of adults. In the present study, we investigated the in vivo and in vitro effects of inorganic mercury and lead on δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) from brain, liver, kidney and blood of young rats. Eight day-old rats were injected with one or five doses of lead acetate (0, 3.5, or 7.0 mg/kg) or HgCl₂ (0, 2.5, or 5.0 mg/kg). In vitro, the IC₅₀ for mercury inhibition of cerebral, renal and hepatic ALA-D was in the 124 to 160 μM range, while values for lead acetate was in the 7 to 12 μM range. The IC₅₀ of blood enzyme for lead (0.8 μM) and mercury (6.5 μM) was significantly lower than that observed for the other tissues. A single dose of lead did not affect the enzyme activity, but a single dose of HgCl₂ (5 mg/kg) caused a significant inhibition of ALA-D from kidney (40%, P < 0.01) and liver (25%, P < 0.05). Five doses of lead acetate (3.5 or 7 mg/kg) caused an inhibition of about 25 and 40%, respectively (P < 0.01), of hepatic ALA-D, and an increase of 1.4-fold (P < 0.05) and 2.6-fold (P < 0.01) of blood enzyme, respectively. Treatment with five doses of HgCl₂ (5 mg/kg) caused an inhibition of about 25, 60, 50, and 80% of ALA-D from brain, blood, liver and kidney, respectively (all P < 0.05). Five doses of 2.5 mg/kg HgCl₂ caused an inhibition of ALA-D from liver (40%, P < 0.01) and kidney (45%, P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that ALA-D from young rat tissues show different sensitivities to mercury and lead. The enzyme was more affected by mercury than by lead in vivo, while in vitro lead was more potent that mercury as an ALA-D inhibitor.     

Sensitivity of δ-ALA-D (E.C. 4.2.1.24) of rats to metals in vitro depends on the stage of postnatal growth and tissue

Heavy metals, like cadmium, lead, and mercury, are potential toxic substances. The exposure to these metals can cause renal disturbances and neurological alterations. Young rats are more sensitive to harmful agents than adult animals. δ-ALA-D enzyme acts as a biomarker of these exposures, since it has high affinity for divalent metals. The purpose of this search was to investigate the sensitivity of δ-ALA-D from suckling rats to cadmium, lead or mercury in vitro. IC₅₀ for δ-ALA-D activity of brain, kidneys, and liver from rats with ages between 1 and 6, 8 and 13 or 17 and 21 days was determined using metals concentrations that range from 0 to 200 μM for CdCl₂, 0 to 600 μM for HgCl₂ and from 0 to 50 μM for lead acetate. The results demonstrated that the cerebral δ-ALA-D activity is more sensitive to lead acetate than to cadmium and mercury. δ-ALA-D from hepatic tissue is the most resistant to presence of mercury chloride in assay medium. Lead and cadmium are more toxic to renal enzyme than mercury. To sum up, the sensitivity of δ-ALA-D enzyme of young rats to heavy metals studied depends on the phase of development and tissue.     

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), induces cell death in TM4 Sertoli cells by modulating Ca transport proteins and causing dysregulation of Ca homeostasis

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a commonly used brominated flame retardant (BFR) utilized to reduce the flammability of a variety of products. Studies have indicated that a number of BFRs are becoming widely distributed within the environment and are bio-accumulating within organisms. There has been much speculation that a variety of phenolic pollutants (including compounds chemically related to TBBPA, such as bisphenol A) may cause endocrine disruption and Ca²⁺ dysregulation in cells involved in spermatogenesis. In this study we therefore investigate the effects of TBBPA on mouse TM4 Sertoli cells (essential for sperm development). Results show that TBBPA increases Ca²⁺ within these cells in the 5–60 μM concentration range (EC₅₀, 21 μM). TBBPA also causes cell death (LC₅₀, 18 μM) partly via apoptosis, involving Ca²⁺-dependent mitochondrial depolarisation. Studies on intracellular Ca²⁺ transporters shows that TBBPA can inhibit sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPases (SERCA) at low concentrations (IC₅₀, 0.4 to 1.2 μM) and also activate the Ryanodine receptor Ca²⁺ channel within the 0.4–4 μM concentration range. Therefore these studies suggest that the cytotoxic effects of TBBPA on cells is partly due to dysregulation of Ca²⁺ signalling, by directly affecting Ca²⁺ transport proteins.     

Comparative toxicity and accumulation of cadmium chloride and cadmium-metallothionein in primary cells and cell lines of rat intestine, liver and kidney

The protective role of metallothionein (Mt) in the toxicity of cadmium (Cd) is controversial, since Cd bound to Mt is more nephrotoxic than ionic Cd after parenteral exposure and less hepatotoxic than ionic Cd after oral exposure. This study compared the uptake and toxicity in vitro of CdCl₂ and two isoforms of rat cadmium-metallothionein (CdMt-1 and CdMt-2) using primary rat kidney cortex cells, primary rat hepatocytes, liver hepatoma cell line H-35, kidney epithelial cell line NRK52-E and intestinal epithelial cell line IEC-18. The molar ratio of Cd was 2.1 and 1.4 mol Cd/mol Mt for CdMt-1 and CdMt-2, respectively. Monolayer cultures were incubated for 22 hr with CdCl₂, CdMt-1 or CdMt-2 and Cd accumulation was examined at Cd levels of 0.25–10 μM-Cd. Cells exposed to CdCl₂ accumulated more Cd in 22 hr than cells exposed to an equimolar amount of CdMt. For CdCl₂ the Cd accumulation is directly related to the Cd concentration in the medium; however, for CdMt an increase in Cd concentration in the medium above 2 μM had no effect on the Cd accumulation in the cells. At Cd concentrations above 2 μM, therefore, the difference in Cd accumulation between CdCl₂ and CdMt was greater (5–6 times) than at concentrations below 2 μM (1–2 times). Cytotoxicity was examined in the Cd-concentration range from 0.25 to 100 μM by determining the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in the medium and the neutral red uptake in the cells. Under these culture conditions CdCl₂ was at least 100 times more toxic than CdMt-1 or CdMt-2 in all cell types tested. Primary hepatocyte cultures were 10 times more sensitive (50% LDH release at 1–2 μM) to CdCl₂ intoxication than primary cultures of renal cortical cells or the intestinal cell line (50% LDH release at 10–20 μM). Hepatic and renal cell lines were less sensitive (50% LDH release at 20–35 μM) than the corresponding primary cultures. No difference in sensitivity towards CdMt-1 or CdMt-2 was found for the various cell types tested. To investigate the influence of the molar Cd ratio of CdMt on cytotoxicity, the Cd content of CdMt-1 (2.1 mol Cd/mol Mt) was artificially raised in vitro to 5 mol/mol Mt. Compared with native CdMt, CdMt with a high molar Cd ratio in primary renal cultures showed a 15% increase in LDH release at a Cd concentration of 1500 μM in the medium. In conclusion, exogenous CdMt is far less toxic than CdCl₂ to cell cultures in a serum-free medium. Whereas CdCl₂ in all cases showed dose-dependent Cd accumulation, Cd accumulation due to CdMt exposure in all cell types tested reached a plateau at medium Cd concentrations of 2 μM. The low cellular Cd uptake of CdMt and the corresponding low cytotoxicity supports previously reported results in vivo, showing that the difference in toxicity between CdMt and CdCl₂ is associated with a difference in Cd distribution.     

Sodium arsenite inhibits migration of extravillous trophoblast cells in vitro

This study used a first-trimester human extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell line, HTR-8/SVneo, to investigate whether sodium arsenite (AsNaO₂) reduces human EVT migration and invasion. Treatments with 2.5 μM AsNaO₂ or less (≤187.3 μg/L), concentrations that are relevant to human exposures in drinking water, were sublethal to HTR-8/SVneo cells. A 72-h exposure to sodium arsenite inhibited cell migration in a concentration-dependent manner at 0.625, 1.25 and 2.5 μM. Significant changes in cell proliferation were not observed under these treatment conditions. Moreover, inhibition of cell migration was unrelated to phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase Tyr397. In contrast to cell migration, 72-h exposures to AsNaO₂ (0.3125–2.5 μM) had no significant effects on cell invasion, nor on the activities and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP9. Because trophoblast migration is important for placentation, these results suggest an effect that could contribute to insufficiency of placental development and adverse pregnancy outcomes.     

Evaluation of nicotinic receptors agonists and antagonists against paraoxon exposed PC12 cells

Chronic and acute exposure to organophosphate pesticides may lead to persistent neurological and neurobehavioral effects, which cannot be explained by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition alone. In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism by which paraoxon affects the nicotinic receptors gene expression, the effects of exposure of PC12 cells to 100 μM concentrations of paraoxon for 48 h in the presence and the absence of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) agonists and antagonists were characterized. Paraoxon at 100 μM significantly inhibited AChE activity. On the mRNA level, the ₄ and β₂ subunits of nAChR mRNA were significantly decreased in the cells exposed to paraoxon. On the protein level, ₄ and β₂ subunits of nAChR protein were also significantly reduced. Mecamylamine (10 μM), dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE) (5 μM) and nicotine (10 μM) efficiently prevented the decrease of ₄ and β₂ nAChR mRNA and protein in PC12 cells, but carbamaylcholine a weak agonist of nAChR was not efficient. These observations suggest that ₄β₂ nAChRs are involved in paraoxon related toxicity and nicotinic receptors antagonists could play some protective role against organophosphate related damages.     

5-Fluorotryptamine is a partial agonist at 5-HT3 receptors, and reveals that size and electronegativity at the 5 position of tryptamine are critical for efficient receptor function

Antagonists, but not agonists, of the 5-HT₃ receptor are useful therapeutic agents, and it is possible that partial agonists may also be potentially useful in the clinic. Here we show that 5-fluorotryptamine (5-FT) is a partial agonist at both 5-HT_3A and 5-HT_3AB receptors with an R_max (I_max / I_max5-HT) of 0.64 and 0.45 respectively. It is about 10 fold less potent than 5-HT: EC₅₀ = 16 and 27 μM, and K_i for displacement of [³H]granisetron binding = 0.8 and 1.8 μM for 5-HT_3A and 5-HT_3AB receptors respectively. We have also explored the potencies and efficacies of tryptamine and a range of 5-substituted tryptamine derivatives. At 5-HT_3A receptors tryptamine is a weak (R_max = 0.15), low affinity (EC₅₀ = 113 μM; K_i = 4.8 μM) partial agonist, while 5-chlorotryptamine has a similar affinity to 5-FT (EC_50 = 8.1 μM; K_i = 2.7 μM) but is a very weak partial agonist (R_max = 0. 0037). These, and data from 5-methyltryptamine and 5-methoxytryptamine, reveal the importance of size and electronegativity at this location for efficient channel opening.     

Potentiation of inhibitory amino acid receptors-mediated responses by lanthanum in rat sacral dorsal commissural neurons

Lanthanum is one of rare earth cations with extremely active chemical property and has been reported to influence neuronal transmitter systems. To date, little attention has been directed towards the sacral dorsal commissural nucleus (SDCN), which serves as a relay of sensory information from the pelvic viscera in the spinal cord. Therefore, the effect of lanthanum on the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine (Gly) responses in neurons acutely dissociated from the rat SDCN was investigated using the nystatin-perforated patch-recording configuration under voltage-clamp conditions. At a holding potential of − 40 mV, La³⁺ reversibly potentiated GABA (3 μM)-activated currents (I_GABA) in a concentration-dependent manner over the concentration range of 10 μM to 30 mM, with the EC₅₀ value of 67.3 ± 16.4 μM. Similarly, La³⁺ reversibly potentiated glycine (10 μM)-activated currents (I_Gly) in a concentration-dependent manner over the concentration range of 1 μM to 1 mM, with the EC₅₀ value of 52.3 ± 10.9 μM. The effects of La³⁺ on I_GABA and I_Gly were voltage-independent. Moreover, both of the potentiations were not use-dependent and were overcome by increasing the concentration of agonist. Our results indicate that La³⁺ potentiates the inhibitory amino acid receptors-mediated responses in SDCN, which may reduce the transmission of the pelvic visceral information. The information provided by this work may help to elucidate the mechanisms and effects of lanthanum on brain functions.     

Selective anti-Toxoplasma gondii activities of azasterols

We report potent and selective inhibitory effects of 22,26-azasterol and 24,25-(R,S)-epiminolanosterol, known inhibitors of Δ²⁴⁽²⁵⁾-sterol methyltranferase (SMT) in fungi and protozoa, on the proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii in LLCMK2 cells. These compounds produced a dose-dependent reduction in parasite proliferation. 22,26-azasterol had an IC₅₀ of 5.3 μM after 24 h and 4.5 μM after 48 h, while for 24,25-(R,S)-epiminolanosterol the IC₅₀ values were 1 μM after 24 h and 0.12 μM after 48 h. The rapid reduction of parasite load suggested these compounds have selective cytotoxic effects against T. gondii. However, we were unable to detect 24-alkyl sterols in purified T. gondii tachyzoites using highly sensitive gas–liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry methods, a fact which indicated that the anti-proliferative effects of these azasterols were not mediated by inhibition of SMT. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondrion was the major target of drugs. Ultrastructural effects on plasma membrane, apicoplast and the formation of autophagosomal structures were also observed.     

Mechanisms for resin acid effects on membrane currents and GABA(A) receptors in mammalian CNS

Resin acids from bleached wood pulp are toxic to fish. 12,14-Dichlorodehydroabietic acid (12,14-Cl₂DHA) raises cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ in synaptosomes and blocks neural GABA_A receptors; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear in these earlier rodent studies. 12,14-Cl₂DHA (50 μM) almost completely blocked native GABA_A currents (rat cortical cultures) but had no significant effect on picrotoxin-sensitive recombinant human receptors in oocytes (1, β2 and γ2L: the most prevalent isoforms in mammalian brain). In oocytes, 12,14-Cl₂DHA failed to produce a calcium-activated chloride current, in contrast to the calcium ionophore ionomycin (10 μM). However, in cultured cortical pyramidal cells, both ionomycin and 12,14-Cl₂DHA produced chloride-selective currents of similar magnitude (presumably secondary to Ca²⁺ release). 12,14-Cl₂DHA was unable to stimulate phosphate labelling of [³H]-inositol in mouse synaptosomes, indicating that the study compound does not cause Ca²⁺ release via an IP₃ mechanism. Calcium pump ATPase inhibition also seems unlikely since thapsigargin did not elevate free calcium in synaptosomes. 12,14-Cl₂DHA clearly blocks GABA_A currents indirectly: we infer that its toxicity may be secondary to the elevations in cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ via an unidentified recognition site (or receptor) found in neuronal cells.     

Seeking a mechanism of action for the novel anticonvulsant lacosamide

Lacosamide (LCM) is anticonvulsant in animal models and is in phase 3 assessment for epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Here we seek to identify cellular actions for the new drug and effects on recognised target sites for anticonvulsant drugs. Radioligand binding and electrophysiology were used to study the effects of LCM at well-established mammalian targets for clinical anticonvulsants. 10 μM LCM did not bind with high affinity to a plethora of rodent, guinea pig or human receptor sites including: AMPA; Kainate; NMDA (glycine/PCP/MK801); GABA_A (muscimol/benzodiazepine); GABA_B; adenosine A_1,2,3; ₁, ₂; β₁, β₂; M_1,2,3,4,5; H_1,2,3; CB_1,2; D_1,2,3,4,5; 5HT_{1A,1B,2A,2C,3,5A,6,7} and K_ATP. Weak displacement (25%) was evident at batrachotoxin site 2 on voltage gated Na⁺ channels. LCM did not inhibit neurotransmitter transport mechanisms for norepinephrine, dopamine, 5-HT or GABA, nor did it inhibit GABA transaminase. LCM at 100 μM produced a significant reduction in the incidence of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC's) and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSC's) in cultured cortical cells and blocked spontaneous action potentials (EC₅₀ 61 μM). LCM did not alter resting membrane potential or passive membrane properties following application of voltage ramps between −70 to +20 mV. The voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) blocker phenytoin potently blocked sustained repetitive firing (SRF) but, in contrast, 100 μM LCM failed to block SRF. No effect was observed on voltage-clamped Ca²⁺ channels (T-, L-, N- or P-type). Delayed-rectifier or A-type potassium currents were not modulated by LCM (100 μM). LCM did not mimic the effects of diazepam as an allosteric modulator of GABA_A receptor currents, nor did it significantly modulate evoked excitatory neurotransmission mediated by NMDA or AMPA receptors (n ≥ 5). Evidently LCM perturbs excitability in primary cortical cultures but does not appear to do so via a high-affinity interaction with an acknowledged recognition site on a target for existing antiepileptic drugs.     

Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol-induced desensitization of cannabinoid-mediated inhibition of synaptic transmission between hippocampal neurons in culture

Prolonged exposure to cannabinoids results in desensitization of cannabinoid receptors. Here, we compared the desensitization produced by the partial agonist, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to that produced by the full agonist Win55,212-2 on cannabinoid-mediated inhibition of glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Synaptic activity between rat hippocampal neurons was determined from network-driven increases in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i spikes). To assess the effects of prolonged treatment, cultures were incubated with cannabinoids, washed in 0.5% fatty-acid-free bovine serum albumin to ensure the removal of the lipophilic drug and then tested for inhibition of [Ca²⁺]_i spiking by Win55,212-2. In control experiments, 0.1 μM Win55,212-2 inhibited [Ca²⁺]_i spiking by 93 ± 5%. Win55,212-2 produced significantly less inhibition of [Ca²⁺]_i spiking following 18–24 h treatment with 1 μM THC (48 ± 5%) or treatment with 1 μM Win55,212-2 (29 ± 6%). Thus, THC produced significantly less functional desensitization than Win55,212-2. The desensitization produced by THC was maximal at 0.3 μM, remained stable between 1 and 7 days of preincubation and shifted the EC₅₀ of acute inhibition by Win55,212-2 from 27 to 251 nM. Differences in the long-term effects of cannabinoid receptor agonists on synaptic transmission may prove important for evaluating their therapeutic and abuse potential.     

Evidence that (-)-7-hydroxy-4'-dimethylheptyl-cannabidiol activates a non-CB(1), non-CB(2), non-TRPV1 target in the mouse vas deferens

Previous experiments showed that R-(+)-WIN55212-induced inhibition of electrically-evoked contractions of mouse vasa deferentia could be antagonized by cannabidiol in a manner that appeared to be competitive but not to involve direct competition for established cannabinoid receptors. We have now discovered that (−)-7-hydroxy-4′-dimethylheptyl-cannabidiol (7-OH-DMH-CBD) inhibits electrically-evoked contractions of the vas deferens (EC₅₀ = 13.3 nM). This it appeared to do by acting on prejunctional neurones as 100 nM 7-OH-DMH-CBD did not attenuate contractile responses to phenylephrine or β,γ-methylene-ATP. Although 7-OH-DMH-CBD was antagonized by SR141716A, it was less susceptible to antagonism by this CB₁ receptor antagonist than R-(+)-WIN55212. 7-OH-DMH-CBD was also antagonized by cannabidiol (1 μM; apparent K_B = 222.2 nM) but not by the CB₂ receptor antagonist, SR144528 (32 nM), or by naloxone (300 nM), ruthenium red (1 μM) or capsazepine (10 μM). Yohimbine (100 nM) enhanced the ability of 7-OH-DMH-CBD to inhibit electrically-evoked contractions. R-(+)-WIN55212 was also potentiated by 100 nM yohimbine, possibly reflecting ongoing sequestration of G_i/o proteins from CB₁ receptors by ₂-adrenoceptors. Our results suggest that 7-OH-DMH-CBD may activate a neuronal target in the vas deferens that is not a CB₁, CB₂, TRPV1, opioid or ₂-adrenergic receptor but do not exclude the possibility that it also activates CB₁ receptors.     

Effects of catalpalactone on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells

The effects of catalpalactone on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells were investigated. Catalpalactone at 5–30 μM decreased intracellular dopamine content with the IC₅₀ value of 22.1 μM. Catalpalactone at 5–20 μM, but not 30 μM, did not alter cell viability. Catalpalactone at 20 μM inhibited tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic-l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activities. Catalpalactone also decreased cyclic AMP levels and inhibited TH phosphorylation. In addition, catalpalactone at 20 μM reduced the increases in dopamine levels induced by L-DOPA (20–50 μM). Catalpalactone (5–30 μM) associated with L-DOPA (50–100 μM) enhanced L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity at 48 h, which was prevented by N-acetyl-l-cysteine. These results suggest that catalpalactone inhibited dopamine biosynthesis by reducing TH and AADC activities and enhanced L-DOPA-induced cytotoxiciy in PC12 cells.     

Transport of the investigational anti-cancer drug 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid and its acyl glucuronide by human intestinal Caco-2 cells

5,6-Dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA), a potent cytokine inducer, exhibited marked antitumor activity when given as multiple oral doses in mice. The aim of this study was to examine the transport of DMXAA and its acyl glucuronide (DMXAA-G) using the human Caco-2 cells. DMXAA was minimally metabolized by Caco-2 cells and both DMXAA and DMXAA-G were taken up to a minor extent by the cells. The permeability coefficient (P_app) values of DMXAA over 10–500 μM were 4 × 10⁻⁵ cm/s to 4.3 × 10⁻⁵ cm/s for both apical (AP) to basolateral (BL) and BL-AP transport, while the P_app values for the BL to AP flux of DMXAA-G were significantly greater than those for the AP to BL flux, with R_net values of 4.5–17.6 over 50–200 μM. The BL to AP active efflux of DMXAA-G followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a K_m of 83.5 ± 5.5 μM, and V_max of 0.022 ± 0.001 nmol/min. The flux of DMXAA-G was energy and Na⁺-dependent and MK-571 significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited its BL to AP flux, with an estimated K_i of 130 μM. These data indicate that the transport of DMXAA across Caco-2 monolayers was through a passive process, whereas the transport of DMXAA-G was mediated by MRP1/2.     

Oxidative metabolism of lung macrophages exposed to sodium arsenite

Arsenic pollution has become increasingly severe. It occurs as the result of geological processes and different human activities. Arsenic toxicity at the respiratory level occurs mainly by inhalation of products of coal combustion. The aim of this study was to evaluate sodium arsenite (As³⁺) toxicity in murine alveolar macrophages (AMs) in vitro and its association with the alterations in cell metabolism.

No changes in viability, apoptosis or cell area were detected in AMs treated with As³⁺ concentrations up to 2 μM for 24–96 h. A marked decrease in these end-points was observed for As³⁺ concentrations ranging from 2.5 μM to 10 μM.

Regarding the dynamics of the endo-exocytic process triggered by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell incorporation, no variations were detected for As³⁺ concentrations lower than 2 μM while higher concentrations markedly modified this response.

MTT specific activity, as a measure of cell metabolic activity, was not modified irrespective of the As³⁺ concentration assayed. However, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) specific activity, as a measure of superoxide anion generation, is responsive but only to low As³⁺ doses.

Although this study focuses on lung macrophages, the effects of As³⁺ described herein may also apply to the response of macrophages residing in other organs.

Arsenite modifies the metabolic and the oxidative status of AMs in vitro. When macrophages are in an As³⁺ rich medium, they exhibit a reduction in respiratory burst levels and lose their intrinsic capacity to respond to toxicants.     

Ultrastructural alterations in Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi induced by Delta(24(25)) sterol methyl transferase inhibitors and their combinations with ketoconazole

We report the ultrastructural alterations induced on the proliferative stages of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease, by two Δ²⁴⁽²⁵⁾ sterol methyl transferase (24(25)-SMT) inhibitors, 22,26-azasterol and 24(R,S),25-epiminolanosterol. Both compounds are sterol biosynthesis inhibitors which had previously been shown to be potent growth inhibitors and whose effects are potentiated by the C14a demethylase inhibitor, ketoconazole. Epimastigotes treated with the minimal growth inhibitory concentration of 22,26-azasterol (10 μM) for 144 h, which were completely depleted of endogenous 4-desmethyl sterols and accumulated 24-desalkyl sterols, showed the appearance of electron-dense granules, mitochondrial swelling and intense vacuolization. At high concentration (≥ 30 μM) the sterol analog induced gross alterations in the organization of chromatin and rapid cell lysis. The treatment of epimastigotes with 24-(R,S),25-epiminolanosterol induced, at low concentrations, (1 μM) alterations similar to those observed with 22,26-azasterol but additionally, modifications of the kinetoplast were observed. Higher concentrations (≥ 3 μM) induced total lysis. The combination of both sterol analogs with ketoconazole, at sub-optimal concentrations, induced the same alterations as 22,26-azasterol 10 μM or epiminolanosterol 1 μM. The results confirm the conclusions of previous studies which indicated that one important cytotoxic effects of sterol biosynthesis inhibitors in this organism is the alteration of the parasite's mitochondrial system.     

The effects of cyclopentane and cyclopentene analogues of GABA at recombinant GABA(C) receptors.

The pharmacological effects of the enantiomers of cis-3-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acids ((+)- and (−)-CACP), the enantiomers of trans-3-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acids ((+)- and (−)-TACP), and the enantiomers of 4-aminocyclopent-1-ene-1-carboxylic acids ((+)- and (−)-4-ACPCA) were studied on human homomeric ρ₁ and ρ₂ GABA_C receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes using two-electrode voltage clamp methods. These compounds are conformationally restricted analogues of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) held in a five-membered ring. (+)-TACP (EC₅₀ (ρ₁)=2.7±0.2 μM; EC₅₀ (ρ₂)=1.45±0.22 μM), (+)-CACP (EC₅₀ (ρ₁)=26.1±1.1 μM; EC₅₀ (ρ₂)=20.1±2.1 μM) and (−)-CACP (EC₅₀ (ρ₁)=78.5±3.5 μM; EC₅₀ (ρ₂)=63.8±23.3 μM) were moderately potent partial agonists at ρ₁ and ρ₂ GABA_C receptors, while (−)-TACP (100 μM inhibited 56% and 62% of the current produced by 1 μM GABA at ρ₁ and ρ₂ receptors, respectively) was a weak partial agonist with low intrinsic activity at these receptors. In contrast, (+)-4-ACPCA (K_i (ρ₁)=6.0±0.1 μM; K_i (ρ₂)=4.7±0.3 μM) did not activate GABA_C ρ₁ and ρ₂ receptors but potently inhibited the action of GABA at these receptors, while (−)-4-ACPCA had little effect as either an agonist or an antagonist. The affinity order at both GABA_C ρ₁ and ρ₂ receptors was (+)-TACP>(+)-4-ACPCA(+)-CACP>(−)-CACP(−)-TACP(−)-4-ACPCA. This study shows that the cyclopentane and cyclopentene analogues of GABA affect GABA_C receptors in a unique manner, defining a preferred stereochemical orientation of the amine and carboxylic acid groups when binding to GABA_C receptors. This is exemplified by the partial agonist, (+)-TACP, and the antagonist, (+)-4-ACPCA.     

Evidence of crocin against endothelial injury induced by hydrogen peroxide in vitro

Crocin, the digentiobiosyl ester of crocetin, was investigated for its cytoprotective effect on hydrogen peroxide-induced injury in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). The morphology of BAECs was observed by inverted phase contrast and electron microscopy. The MTT assay was used to measure cell viability. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by DNA argarose gel electrophoresis. The cells treated with H₂O₂ (200 μM) showed apoptotic changes as revealed by cell shrinkage, condensation of nuclei, membrane blebbing and formation of apoptotic body. A concentration-dependent inhibition of cell injury was seen in cultures treated with crocin at dosages ranging from 1 to 10 μM. Furthermore, in the H₂O₂-treated group, agarose gel electrophoresis displayed a “DNA ladder”. Whereas in the 10 μM crocin-pretreated group, cells remained intact and no “DNA ladder” was observed in agarose gel electrophoresis. Only very little DNA debris appeared on DNA-fragmentation analysis in the 1 μM crocin-pretreated group. Our data demonstrated that crocin has preventive effects on the cell apoptosis induced by H₂O₂, which may contribute to its utilisation for cardiovascular diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis and hypertension).