1-substituted phthalazines as probes of the substrate-binding site of mammalian molybdenum hydroxylases

The interaction of a series of 1-substituted phthalazine derivatives with partially purified aldehyde oxidase from rabbit, guinea-pig and baboon liver, and with bovine milk xanthine oxidase, has been investigated. Of the 18 compounds examined, rabbit liver aldehyde oxidase metabolized 10, whereas guinea-pig and baboon liver enzyme oxidized 13 and 14, respectively. Where metabolites were characterized, oxidation was shown to occur at position four of the phthalazine ring. Km values ranged from 0.003 to 1.8 mM. In contrast, most compounds were competitive inhibitors of bovine milk xanthine oxidase with Ki values ranging from 0.015 to 1.3 mM; the cationic derivative 2-methylphthalazinium iodide was oxidized to 2-methyl-1-phthalazinone by both aldehyde oxidase and, with a much reduced affinity, by xanthine oxidase. In terms of structure-metabolism relationships, Vmax values were relatively insensitive to the electronic effects of substituents, but a trend for the more lipophilic derivatives to show increased affinities (Km and Vmax/Km) towards aldehyde oxidase could be seen. However, calculations of molecular size revealed a species-dependent cut-off threshold above which compounds were not metabolized. Results suggest that the relative size of the active site for hepatic aldehyde oxidase is in the order baboon greater than guinea-pig greater than rabbit, and that in spatial terms the active site of bovine milk xanthine oxidase is similar to that of baboon liver aldehyde oxidase. Thus, the binding site of rabbit liver aldehyde oxidase, a widely used source of the oxidase, is apparently more restricted than in some other species.     

Oxidation of selected pteridine derivatives by mamalian liver xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase.

Considerable information is available concerning the oxidation of pteridine derivatives by bovine milk xanthine oxidase, but few investigations have been carried out on the oxidation of such compounds by mammalian liver xanthine oxidase and the related aldehyde oxidase. Xanthine oxidase, obtained from rat liver, oxidizes a variety of substituted amino- and hydroxypteridines in a manner identical to that previously observed for milk xanthine oxidase. For example, 2-aminopteridine and its 4- and 7-hydroxy derivatives were oxidized efficiently to 2-amino-4,7-dihydroxypteridine (isoxanthopterin) by the rat liver enzyme, and 4-aminopteridine and its 2- and 7-hydroxy derivatives were oxidized to 4-amino-2,7-dihydroxypteridine.4-Hydroxypteridine and the isomeric 2- and 7-hydroxypteridines were oxidized by rat liver xanthine oxidase to 2,4,7-trihydroxypteridine. Rabbit liver aldehyde oxidase, but not rat liver xanthine oxidase, was able to catalyze the oxidation in position 7 of 2,4-diaminopteridine and its 6-methyl and 6-hydroxymethyl derivatives. 2-Aminopteridine and 4-aminopteridine were both oxidized to the corresponding 7-hydroxy derivatives in the aldehyde oxidase system; 2-amino-4-hydroxypteridine appeared to be a minor product in the oxidation of 2-aminopteridine by rabbit liver aldehyde oxidase. Both aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase were able to catalyze the oxidation of 2-amino-6,7-disubstituted pteridines to the corresponding 4-hydroxy derivatives; 4-hydroxy-6,7-disubstituted pteridines were oxidized in position 2 by both enzymes. 4-Amino-6,7-disubstituted pteridines were not oxidized by either enzyme. 2-Amino-4-methylpteridine was oxidized in position 7 by aldehyde oxidase but was not an effective substrate for xanthine oxidase; 2-hydroxypteridine and 7-hydroxypteridine were not oxidized to a detectably extent by aldehyde oxidase. All oxidations mediated by xanthine oxidase were strongly inhibited by allopurinol (4-hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine), and all oxidations mediated by aldehyde oxidase were inhibited by menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone). Rat liver xanthine oxidase and, to a lesser extent, rabbit liver aldehyde oxidase were inhibited by 4-chloro-6,7-dimethylpteridine; 2-amino-3-pyrazinecarboxylic acid inhibited xanthine oxidase but not aldehyde oxidase. The oxidations of 2- and 4-aminopteridines by aldehyde oxidase resulted in concomitant reduction of cytochrome c.     

Xanthine oxidase-catalyzed metabolism of 2-nitrofluorene, a carcinogenic air pollutant, in rat skin.

The reductive metabolism of 2-nitrofluorene, a carcinogenic air pollutant, in rat skin microsomes and cytosol was investigated. 2-Nitrofluorene was reduced to the corresponding amine by the microsomes with NADPH and by the cytosol with 2-hydroxypyrimidine or 4-hydroxypyrimidine under anaerobic conditions. The cytosolic activity was much higher than that of skin microsomes. The 2- or 4-hydroxypyrimidine-linked nitroreductase activity was inhibited by oxypurinol and (+/-)-8-(3-methoxy-4-phenylsulfinylphenyl) pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine-4(1H)-one (BOF-4272), inhibitors of xanthine oxidase, but not by menadione, chlorpromazine and isovanillin, inhibitors of aldehyde oxidase. When skin cytosol was applied to a DEAE-cellulose column, the fractions containing xanthine oxidase exhibited a marked 2-hydroxypyrimidine-linked nitroreductase activity. In contrast, the aldehyde oxidase fraction showed little activity. Nitroreductase fractions obtained by ion exchange chromatography showed a band in Western blotting analysis using anti-rat xanthine oxidase. Moreover, the xanthine oxidase fraction exhibited a significant nitroreductase activity in the presence of 2-hydroxypyrimidine, 4-hydroxypyrimidine or hypoxanthine, and these activities were inhibited by inhibitors of xanthine oxidase. These results indicated that reduction of 2-nitrofluorene in the skin was mainly catalyzed by xanthine oxidase.     

Hydralazine: a potent inhibitor of aldehyde oxidase activity in vitro and in vivo

The interaction of the vasodilator, hydralazine, with the molybdenum hydroxylases, aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase has been investigated. A potent progressive inhibition of rabbit liver aldehyde oxidase, in the presence of substrate, by low concentrations of hydralazine (0.1-1 microM) was observed in vitro but no effect was seen with bovine milk xanthine oxidase. This activity was mirrored in vivo when levels of aldehyde oxidase were significantly decreased in rabbits administered hydralazine (10 mg/kg/day for seven days) whereas hepatic xanthine oxidase activity was unaltered by hydralazine treatment. Various metabolites of hydralazine were synthesized but found to be devoid of in vitro inhibitory activity. Aldehyde oxidase prepared from either guinea pig or baboon liver was inhibited in a similar way to that of rabbit liver.     

Involvement of molybdenum hydroxylases in reductive metabolism of nitro polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mammalian skin.

Molybdenum hydroxylases, aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductase, were shown to be involved in the nitroreduction of 2-nitrofluorene (NF), 1-nitropyrene, and 4-nitrobiphenyl, environmental pollutants, in the skin of various mammalian species. NF was reduced to 2-aminofluorene by hamster skin cytosol in the presence of 2-hydroxypyrimidine, 4-hydroxypyrimidine, N(1)-methylnicotinamide, or benzaldehyde, but not hypoxanthine or xanthine. Inhibitors of aldehyde oxidase markedly inhibited these nitroreductase activities, but oxypurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidoreductase, had little effect. In DEAE column chromatography of hamster skin cytosol, the major fraction exhibiting nitroreductase activity also showed aldehyde oxidase activity. 2-Hydroxypyrimidine-linked nitroreductase activities of skin cytosol from rabbits and guinea pigs were also inhibited by an inhibitor of aldehyde oxidase. In contrast, nitroreductase activities of skin cytosols of rats and mice were markedly inhibited by oxypurinol. When aldehyde oxidase activity was estimated in skin cytosol of various mammals using benzaldehyde oxidase activity as a marker, considerable variability of the activity was found. The highest activity was observed with hamsters, and the lowest activity with rats. On the other hand, the highest xanthine oxidoreductase activity was observed with rats, and the lowest activity with rabbits. These skin cytosols of various mammals also exhibited significant 2-hydroxypyrimidine-linked nitroreductase activities toward 1-nitropyrene and 4-nitrobiphenyl catalyzed by aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductase. Thus, NF was mainly reduced by aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductase in skins of animals. However, the contributions of these two molybdenum hydroxylases were considerably different among animal species.     

A Novel Ring Oxidation of 4- or 5-Substituted 2H-Oxazole to Corresponding 2-Oxazolone Catalyzed by Cytosolic Aldehyde Oxidase

The ring oxidation of 2H-oxazole, or C2-unsubstituted oxazole, to 2-oxazolone, a cyclic carbamate, was observed on various 4- or 5-substituted oxazoles. Using 5-(3-bromophenyl)oxazole as a model compound, its 2-oxazolone metabolite M1 was fully characterized by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. The reaction mainly occurred in the liver cytosolic fraction without the requirement of cytochrome P450 enzymes and cofactor NADPH. Investigations into the mechanism of formation of 2-oxazolone using various chemical inhibitors indicated that the reaction was primarily catalyzed by aldehyde oxidase and not by xanthine oxidase. In addition, cytosol incubation of 5-(3-bromophenyl)oxazole in the medium containing H(2)(18)O led to the (18)O incorporation into M1, substantiating the reaction mechanism of a typical molybdenum hydroxylase. The rank order of liver cytosols for the 2-oxazolone formation was mouse > monkey ? rat and human liver cytosol, whereas M1 was not formed in dog liver cytosol. Because the reaction was observed with a number of 4- or 5-substituted 2H-oxazoles in mouse liver cytosols, 2H-oxazoles represent a new substrate chemotype for ring oxidation catalyzed by aldehyde oxidase.     

Substrate specificity of guinea pig liver aldehyde oxidase and bovine milk xanthine oxidase for methyl- and nitrobenzaldehydes.

Both aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of N-heterocycles and aldehydes. These enzymes are important in the oxidation of N-heterocyclic xenobiotics, whereas their role in the oxidation of xenobiotic aldehydes is usually ignored. The present investigation describes the interaction of methyl- and nitrosubstituted benzaldehydes, in the ortho-, meta- and parapositions, with guinea pig liver aldehyde oxidase and bovine milk xanthine oxidase. The kinetic constants showed that most substituted benzaldehydes are excellent substrates of aldehyde oxidase with lower affinities for xanthine oxidase. Low Km values for aldehyde oxidase were observed with most benzaldehydes tested, with 3-nitrobenzaldehyde having the lowest Km value and 3-methylbenzaldehyde being the best substrate in terms of substrate efficiency (Ks). Additionally, low Km values for xanthine oxidase were found with most benzaldehydes tested. However, all benzaldehydes also had low Vmax values, which made them poor substrates of xanthine oxidase. It is therefore possible that aldehyde oxidase may be critical in the oxidation of xenobiotic and endobiotic derived aldehydes and its role in such reactions should not be ignored.     

Contribution of aldehyde oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and aldehyde dehydrogenase on the oxidation of aromatic aldehydes

Aliphatic aldehydes have a high affinity toward aldehyde dehydrogenase activity but are relatively poor substrates of aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase. In addition, the oxidation of xenobiotic-derived aromatic aldehydes by the latter enzymes has not been studied to any great extent. The present investigation compares the relative contribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, and xanthine oxidase activities in the oxidation of substituted benzaldehydes in separate preparations. The incubation of vanillin, isovanillin, and protocatechuic aldehyde with either guinea pig liver aldehyde oxidase, bovine milk xanthine oxidase, or guinea pig liver aldehyde dehydrogenase demonstrated that the three aldehyde oxidizing enzymes had a complementary substrate specificity. Incubations were also performed with specific inhibitors of each enzyme (isovanillin for aldehyde oxidase, allopurinol for xanthine oxidase, and disulfiram for aldehyde dehydrogenase) to determine the relative contribution of each enzyme in the oxidation of these aldehydes. Under these conditions, vanillin was rapidly oxidized by aldehyde oxidase, isovanillin was predominantly metabolized by aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, and protocatechuic aldehyde was slowly oxidized, possibly by all three enzymes. Thus, aldehyde oxidase activity may be a significant factor in the oxidation of aromatic aldehydes generated from amines and alkyl benzenes during drug metabolism. In addition, this enzyme may also have a role in the catabolism of biogenic amines such as dopamine and noradrenaline where 3-methoxyphenylacetic acids are major metabolites.     

Does luminol chemiluminescence detect free radical scavengers?

Thiol compounds have been reported to abolish hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase induced luminol chemiluminescence and this effect has been attributed to scavenging of superoxide (O2-)/(H2O2) produced from hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase. Yet other workers have reported that thiol compounds have shown little, if any, reactivity towards O2-/H2O2. The aim of this study was to examine the discrepancy between these two sets of findings further. Captopril (a thiol angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor) and MPG (a simple thiol) were observed to abolish hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase induced chemiluminescence. The reactivity of captopril and MPG towards O2-/H2O2 was then determined by measurement of thiol oxidation in captopril and MPG after their incubation with hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase. Incubation (at 10 min, 37 degrees C) with 4 mM hypoxanthine/0.03 u ml-1 xanthine oxidase resulted in 7% and 20% thiol oxidation in captopril and MPG (at 1 mM) respectively. Captopril and MPG, therefore, appeared to be ineffective scavengers of oxidants produced by hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase. Captopril and MPG also did not affect urate production or oxygen consumption by xanthine oxidase which indicated that captopril and MPG quench luminol chemiluminescence by a mechanism that excludes the inhibition of xanthine oxidase. Hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase induced luminol chemiluminescence may, therefore, be an unsuitable method for measuring free radical scavenging activity by drugs.     

Metabolism of 2-phenylethylamine and phenylacetaldehyde by precision-cut guinea pig fresh liver slices.

2-Phenylethylamine is an endogenous constituent of human brain and is implicated in cerebral transmission. It is also found in certain foodstuffs and may cause toxic side-effects in susceptible individuals. Metabolism of 2-phenylethylamine to phenylacetaldehyde is catalyzed by monoamine oxidase and the oxidation of the reactive aldehyde to its acid derivative is catalyzed mainly by aldehyde dehydrogenase and perhaps aldehyde oxidase, with xanthine oxidase having minimal transformation. The present investigation examines the metabolism of 2-phenylethylamine to phenylacetaldehyde in liver slices and compares the relative contribution of aldehyde oxidase, xanthine oxidase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in the oxidation of phenylacetaldehyde with precision-cut fresh liver slices in the presence/absence of specific inhibitors of each enzyme. In liver slices, phenylacetaldehyde was rapidly converted to phenylacetic acid. Phenylacetic acid was the main metabolite of 2-phenylethylamine, via the intermediate phenylacetaldehyde. Phenylacetic acid formation was completely inhibited by disulfiram (specific inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase), whereas isovanillin (specific inhibitor of aldehyde oxidase) inhibited acid formation to a lesser extent and allopurinol (specific inhibitor of xanthine oxidase) had little or no effect. Therefore, in liver slices, phenylacetaldehyde is rapidly oxidized by aldehyde dehydrogenase and aldehyde oxidase with little or no contribution from xanthine oxidase.     

Regulation of xanthine oxidase activity by substrates at active sites via cooperative interactions between catalytic subunits: implication to drug pharmacokinetics

Three xanthine oxidase substrates (i.e., xanthine, adenine, and 2-amino-4-hydroxypterin) show a "substrate inhibition" pattern (i.e., slower turnover rates at higher substrate concentrations), whereas another two substrates (i.e., xanthopterin and lumazine) show a "substrate activation" pattern (i.e., higher turnover rates at higher substrate concentrations). Binding of a 6-formylpterin at one of the two xanthine oxidase active sites slows down the turnover rate of xanthine at the adjacent active site from 17.0 s(-1) to 10.5 s(-1), and converts the V-[S] plot from "substrate inhibition" pattern to a classical Michaelis-Menten hyperbolic saturation pattern. In contrast, binding of xanthine at an active site accelerates the turnover rate of 6-formylpterin at the neighboring active site. The experimental results demonstrate that a substrate can regulate the activity of xanthine oxidase via binding at the active sites; or a xanthine oxidase catalytic subunit can simultaneously serve as a regulatory unit. Theoretical simulation based on the velocity equation derived from the extended Michaelis-Menten model shows that the substrate inhibition and the substrate activation behavior in the V-[S] plots could be obtained by introducing cooperative interactions between two catalytic subunits in homodimeric enzymes. The current work confirms that there exist very strong cooperative interactions between the two catalytic subunits of xanthine oxidase.     

Some pyridazinone and phthalazinone derivatives and their vasodilator activities

In this study, 6-[(4-arylidene-2-phenyl-5-oxoimidazolin-1-yl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-3(2H)-pyridazinone and 4-[(4-arylidene-2-phenyl-5-oxoimidazolin-1-yl)phenyl]-1(2H)-phthalazinone derivatives were synthesized by reacting 6-(4-aminophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-3(2H)-pyridazinone or 4-(4-aminophenyl)-1(2H)-phthalazinone compound with different 4-arylidene-2-phenyl-5(4H)-oxazolone derivatives. The vasodilator activities of the compounds were examined both in vitro and in vivo. Some pyridazinone derivatives showed appreciable activity.     

Stimulation of the active transport of serotonin into human platelets by hydrogen peroxide

The effect of H2O2 on the active transport of serotonin (5-HT) by human platelets was investigated. Platelets were exposed to either a single dose of H2O2 or to H2O2 generated by the glucose/glucose oxidase or xanthine/xanthine oxidase enzyme systems. H2O2 (12.5 to 100 microM) produced a rapid, concentration-dependent and time-dependent increase in 5-HT transport which was maximal after a 2-min incubation and decreased with continued incubation. Catalase (1000 units) completely prevented H2O2-induced stimulation, and fluoxetine (1 microM) totally blocked 5-HT uptake into stimulated platelets. The glucose/glucose oxidase (3.12 to 100 milliunits) and the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, superoxide dismutase (250 units) failed to alter the stimulation, whereas catalase (1000 units) effectively prevented the response. The kinetics of 5-HT transport indicated that H2O2 treatment did not alter the Km of 5-HT transport (Km control = 1.0 +/- 0.2 x 10(-6) M vs Km H2O2 = 1.1 +/- 0.1 x 10(-6) M) but markedly increased the maximal rate of 5-HT transport (Vmax control = 131.4 +/- 4.6 pmol/10(8) platelets/4 min vs Vmax H2O2 = 206.7 +/- 9.1 pmol/10(8) platelets/4 min). These data demonstrated that exposure of human platelets to H2O2 resulted in a stimulation of the active transport of 5-HT and suggested that H2O2 may function to regulate this process.     

Tissue distribution of the molybdenum hydroxylases, aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase, in male and female guinea pigs

The activity of the molybdenum hydroxylase, aldehyde oxidase, was determined in crude homogenates and (NH4)2SO4 fractions prepared from guinea pig liver, lung, kidney, intestine, spleen and heart. Xanthine oxidase was also measured in (NH4)2SO4 fractions. In each case, xanthine oxidase levels were lower than those of aldehyde oxidase; activity of the latter enzyme was highest in the liver, whereas xanthine oxidase was predominant in the small intestine. There was no significant difference in the activity of either molybdenum hydroxylase between tissues taken from male and female guinea pigs.     

Metabolism of azoxy derivatives of procarbazine by aldehyde dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase.

Procarbazine, a 1,2-disubstituted hydrazine, is employed therapeutically in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease and a limited number of other neoplasias. The isomeric azoxy metabolites of procarbazine have recently been identified as the precursors of species responsible for both the anti-cancer efficacy and toxic effects mediated by this drug. This study demonstrates that cytosolic enzymes are involved in the metabolism of the azoxy metabolites of procarbazine. Two azoxy procarbazine oxidase activities were resolved by diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose chromatography. The activity which did not bind to this column was purified to homogeneity and was identified as a phenobarbital-inducible form of cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase. This protein fraction was shown to metabolize only the azoxy 2 procarbazine isomer to yield N-isopropy-p-formylbenzamide (ALD) in a reaction which did not require NAD+ as cofactor. The ALD product formed was also a substrate for a subsequent NAD(+)-dependent reduction reaction catalyzed by that purified protein. The azoxy 2 procarbazine isomer and ALD were shown to be potent inhibitors of both the dehydrogenase and esterase activities of aldehyde dehydrogenase. The second azoxy procarbazine oxidase activity which was retained by the DEAE-cellulose column co-eluted with xanthine oxidase activity. Both the xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase and azoxy procarbazine oxidase activities of this protein fraction were inhibited by allopurinol, a specific inhibitor of xanthine dehydrogenase. Xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase was partially purified by an alternative procedure and was shown to metabolize both the azoxy 2 procarbazine isomer and ALD, ultimately producing N-isopropylterephthalamic acid. The ability of xanthine oxidase to metabolize azoxy 2 procarbazine and ALD was confirmed using commercial, purified milk xanthine oxidase.     

Estimation of aldehyde oxidase activity in vivo from conversion ratio of N1-methylnicotinamide to pyridones, and intraspecies variation of the enzyme activity in rats.

The in vivo conversion ratio of N1-methylnicotinamide (NMN) to N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2-PY) and N1-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide (4-PY) as a parameter for the estimation of aldehyde oxidase level in rats was examined. NMN and its pyridones (2-PY and 4-PY) are usually detected in the urine of rats. When we measured the ratio of the amount of pyridones to the total amount of NMN and pyridones (RP value) in the urine of rats, marked intraspecies variations were observed. The variation in RP value among strains was closely related to the differences of liver aldehyde oxidase activity measured with NMN as a substrate. RP values after administration of NMN to different strains of rats confirmed the existence of strain differences of aldehyde oxidase activity in vivo. We demonstrated that measurements of NMN and its pyridones usually excreted in the urine can be used to predict the in vivo level of aldehyde oxidase.     

Metabolism by rat liver cytosol of illudin S, a toxic substance of Lampteromyces japonicus. II. Characterization of illudin S-metabolizing enzyme.

1. Enzyme systems responsible for formation of cyclopropane ring-cleavage metabolites (M1 and M2) of illudin S in rat liver were characterized. 2. The enzymes were localized in the cytosol fraction and utilized NADPH alone as electron donor; they were not affected by oxygen and had low pH optima. 3. Formation of metabolites M1 and M2 was inhibited completely by dicumarol (10(-4) M), an inhibitor of DT-diaphorase. 4. Menadione (10(-4) M) and quercetin (10(-4) M) both inhibited formation of M1 and M2 by 35% and 15%, respectively, but quinacrine, barbital, pyrazole and p-chloromercuribenzoic acid had no significant effect. 5. Results show that the enzyme systems may differ from DT-diaphorase, aldehyde oxidase, xanthine oxidase, ketone reductase, aldose reductase, aldehyde reductase and alcohol dehydrogenase, known cytosolic enzymes responsible for xenobiotic metabolism.     

Identification of mouse liver aldehyde dehydrogenases that catalyze the oxidation of retinaldehyde to retinoic acid

NAD(P)-linked aldehyde dehydrogenases catalyze the oxidation of a wide variety of aldehydes. Thirteen of these enzymes have been identified in mouse tissues; eleven are found in the liver. Some are substrate-nonspecific; others are relatively substrate-specific. The present investigation sought to determine which of these enzymes are operative in catalyzing the oxidation of retinaldehyde to retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A that promotes the differentiation of epithelial and other cells. Spectrophotometric and HPLC assays were used for this purpose. Enzyme-catalyzed oxidation of retinaldehyde (25 microM) was restricted to the cytosol (105,000 g supernatant fraction) and occurred at a rate of 211 nmol/min/g liver; oxidation of acetaldehyde (4 mM) by this fraction proceeds about ten times faster. At least 90% of this activity was NAD dependent. Of the approximately 10% that was apparently NAD independent, two-thirds was inhibited by 1 mM pyridoxal, a known inhibitor of aldehyde oxidase. Of the six cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenases, only two, viz. AHD-2 and AHD-7, catalyzed the oxidation of retinaldehyde to retinoic acid. An additional NAD-dependent enzyme, viz. xanthine oxidase (dehydrogenase form), also catalyzed the reaction. Catalysis by AHD-2 accounted for more than 90% of the total NAD-dependent activity. Km values were 0.7, 0.6 and 0.9 microM, respectively, for the AHD-2-, AHD-7- and xanthine oxidase (dehydrogenase form)-catalyzed reaction. AHD-4, an aldehyde dehydrogenase found in the cytosol of mouse stomach epithelium and cornea, did not catalyze the reaction.     

Therapeutic effect of rebamipide on ammonia-induced gastric mucosal hemorrhagic lesion in rats

Rebamipide, 2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3-[2(1H)-quinolinone-4-yl]-propionic acid, a novel antipeptic ulcer agent, has been reported to prevent various acute experimental gastric mucosal lesions and to accelerate the healing of chronic ulcers. Therapeutic effect of rebamipide was investigated with regard to the inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase activity and type conversion of the enzyme which play a profound role in oxygen radicals generation system. Intraperitoneal administration of rebamipide at 60 mg/kg body weight reduced the xanthine oxidase activity, lipid peroxide content in ammonia induced hemorrhagic lesion. These results suggest that the therapeutic effect of rebamipide on gastric mucosal lesion may be in part due to the inhibitory activity of xanthine oxidase and type conversion rate of the enzyme.     

Metabolism of 2-phenylethylamine to phenylacetic acid, via the intermediate phenylacetaldehyde, by freshly prepared and cryopreserved guinea pig liver slices

BACKGROUND: 2-Phenylethylamine is an endogenous amine, which acts as a neuromodulator of dopaminergic responses. Exogenous 2-phenylethylamine is found in certain foodstuffs and may cause toxic side-effects in susceptible individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present investigation examined the metabolism of 2-phenylethylamine to phenylacetic acid, via phenylacetaldehyde, in freshly prepared and cryopreserved liver slices. Additionally, it compared the relative contribution of aldehyde oxidase, xanthine oxidase and aldehyde dehydrogenase by using specific inhibitors for each oxidizing enzyme. RESULTS: In freshly prepared and cryopreserved liver slices, phenylacetic acid was the main metabolite of 2-phenylethalamine. In freshly prepared liver slices, phenylacetic acid was completely inhibited by disulfiram (inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase), whereas isovanillin (inhibitor of aldehyde oxidase) inhibited acid formation to a lesser extent and allopurinol (inhibitor of xanthine oxidase) had no effect. In cryopreserved liver slices, isovanillin inhibited phenylacetic acid by 85%, whereas disulfiram inhibited acid formation to a lesser extent and allopurinol had no effect. CONCLUSION: In liver slices, 2-phenylethylamine is rapidly oxidized to phenylacetic acid, via phenylacetaldehyde, by aldehyde dehydrogenase and aldehyde oxidase with no contribution from xanthine oxidase.