瑞香素体外抗卡氏肺孢子虫作用的初步研究

目的研究瑞香素在体外抗卡氏肺孢子虫(Pneumocystiscarinii,Pc)的作用。方法建立Wistar大鼠卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎模型;分离、纯化虫体,进行体外培养。测定不同浓度的瑞香素体外抗Pc的作用,观察经FeSO4、MgSO4螯合后的瑞香素对虫体的生长影响情况。用透射电镜观察药物处理后的虫体超微结构改变。结果瑞香素抗Pc作用效应在1～20μmol/L浓度范围呈剂量依赖和时间依赖关系。10μmol/L瑞香素与1.0μg/ml喷他脒对Pc生长影响效果相当。若预先将瑞香素与FeSO4按21比例混合后,瑞香素对Pc的生长抑制作用大大减弱。瑞香素处理后的虫体的超微结构有改变。结论瑞香素在体外对Pc生长有抑制作用。     

瑞香素杀疟原虫裂殖体的作用

[目的 ]研究中药瑞香素在体外和体内的杀裂殖体作用。 [方法 ]在恶性疟原虫FCCl株常规体外培养中测试瑞香素杀裂殖体活性 ,并按“四天抑制性试验”在感染伯氏疟原虫ANKA株的小鼠中测定不同剂量瑞香素的体内抗疟活性。 [结果 ]体外试验中瑞香素在 1～ 10 μmol L剂量范围内有明显杀灭裂殖体作用 ,而体内试验中按D4减虫率与感染鼠在 30d内的平均生存天数评价 ,5 0或 10 0mg kg .d- 1 × 4d瑞香素灌胃以及 10 ,5 0或 10 0mg kg.d- 1 × 4d瑞香素腹腔注射给药在伯氏鼠疟原虫ANKA株感染鼠中的抗疟作用与 10mg kg .d- 1 × 4d氯喹 (CQ)灌胃的疗效相似。 [结论 ]瑞香素在体外和体内均有一定的杀裂殖体作用。     

瑞香素类抗疟化合物的筛选及其靶分子研究

目的 通过体外试验和鼠疟动物模型筛选瑞香素结构衍生物的抗疟作用,确定瑞香素类抗疟化合物对恶性疟原虫抗疟作用的靶分子.主要研究内容及方法 (1)在瑞香素基本结构的基础上设计并合成瑞香素的结构衍生物;(2)通过光学显微镜镜检和微量荧光法两种体外筛选系统筛检瑞香素类衍生物对恶性疟原虫的体外抗疟作用;(3)对体外筛检抗疟活性高的化合物,采用WHO推荐的四天抑制试验测定其对鼠伯氏疟原虫(ANKA株)的抗疟作用;(4)以电子自旋共振法测定瑞香素类抗疟化合物对恶性疟原虫核糖核酸还原酶(ribonucleotide reductase,RNR)活性的影响;(5)采用紫外分光光度法测定瑞香素类抗疟化合物对恶性疟原虫细胞色素C氧化酶(cytochrome c oxidase,COX)活性的影响;(6)对体外同步培养的恶性疟原虫经瑞香素、DA78与DA79作用后,抽提总RNA,并合成相应的特异性引物,运用实时荧光PCR法测定瑞香素类抗疟化合物对恶性疟原虫的重要生物功能酶,如RNR、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxidase dismutase,SOD)及乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase,L,DH)等基因表达的影响.结果 (1)在瑞香素结构的基础上,通过对7、8位羟基或相邻位点的修饰,共合成32种瑞香素结构衍生物.(2)通过体外筛选系统筛选出DA78与DA79两种新型的瑞香素类抗疟化合物,两者的IC50分别为7.6μmol/L、1.4μmoL/L,其体外抗疟活性与瑞香素的差别无统计学意义(P＞0.05);体内试验按D4减虫率评价,瑞香素、DA78与DA79灌胃给药在鼠伯氏疟原虫ANKA株感染小鼠中,DA79在1、10、50、75 ms/(kg·d)×4 d组与对照组1%西黄蓍胶相比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),而DA78在50或75 mg/(kg·d)×4 d的抗疟作用与对照组相比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);另外DA79在10或75 mg/(kg·d)×4 d的抗疟效果要优于同剂量的瑞香素(P＞0.05).(3)体外同步培养的恶性疟原虫经100μmol/L瑞香素2、4、8和12 h作用后,COX活性依次下降了0、6%、、73%和80%,在瑞香素浓度为100 nmoi/L、lμmoL/L、100 μmol/L与l mmol/L作用6 h后,COX活性依次下降了3%、31%、53%和84%(n=3),其活性随着瑞香素浓度的增高基本成线性降低,而当瑞香素的铁鳌合能力饱和后对COX活性的影响几乎消失;100 μmol/L DA78与DA79作用2、4、8和12 h后,COX的活性依次下降了0、2%、11%、9%与7%、13%、17%、32%,在DA78、DA79浓度为100 nmol/L、1 μmol/L、100 μmol/L与1 mmol/L作用6 h后,COX活性依次下降了0、0、4%、13%与1%、4%、15%、29%,其活性随着DA78或DA79浓度的增高基本成线性降低,其中DA79对COX的抑制作用高于DA78,但两者均低于瑞香素对COX的作用(n=3,P＜0.01).(4)体外同步培养的恶性疟原虫经瑞香素、DA78与DA79作用后.以电子自旋共振法测定不同时间恶性疟原虫酪氨酸的量以反映RNR的活性,经100 μmol/L瑞香素作用1、2、3和4 h后,相对于对照组的值RNR的活性依次为其值的93%、49%、31%和25%,在瑞香素浓度为100 nmol/L、1 μmol/L、100 Vanol/L与1 mmoL/L作用6 h后,相对于对照组的值RNR的活性依次为其值的97%、69%、42%和7%;RNR的活性随着瑞香素浓度的增高而降低,但并非呈线性相关.当瑞香索铁鳌合能力饱和后,恶性疟原虫RNR活性几乎未受影响(n=3,P＞0.05).经100μmot/L DA78与DA79作用1、2、3和4 h后,相对于对照组的值恶性疟原虫RNR的活性依次为其值的98%、96%、87%、71%与93%、44%、41%、23%,DA79对RNR活性的抑制作用高于同剂量相同作用时间DA78的作用(n=3,P＞0.01),DA79与瑞香素在体外对恶性疟原虫RNR抑制作用的差别无统计学意义(n=3,P＞0.05);在DA78与DA79浓度为100 nmol/L、1μmol/L、100μmol/L与1 mmol/L.,作用6 h后,相对于对照组的值RNR的活性依次为其值的100%、92%、64%、61%与97%、48%、25%、4%,DA79对RNR活性的抑制作用高于同剂量DA78的作用(n=3,P＜0.01),并且高于同剂量瑞香素对RNR活性的抑制作用(n=3,P＜0.05).(5)恶性疟原虫体外经瑞香素、DA78与DA79作用后,LDH、SOD与RNR 3种基因扩增的标准曲线,在105～109 copies/ml范围内标准曲线呈良好的线性关系,其基因扩增产物的标准曲线的r2依次为0.9907、0.9983、0.9975.根据标准曲线计算各组样品3种基因的原始拷贝数来比较各组3种基因表达量的差异,不同处理组对恶性疟原虫LDH基因的表达无显著性抑制作用(n=3,P＞0.05),而且各组间差异无统计学意义(n=3,P＞0.05);瑞香素、DA78与DA79对恶性疟原虫RNR基因的表达均有抑制作用;只有瑞香素对恶性疟原虫SOD基因表达产生抑制作用,其他各组无显著性抑制作用;但瑞香素的铁螯合能力饱和后,对上述3种基因的表达均未产生显著性抑制作用(n=3,P＞0.05).结论以DA78与DA79为代表的瑞香素类衍生物作为一类新型的抗疟化合物,在体外和体内试验中均显示出一定的抗疟活性;RNR很可能作为瑞香素类抗疟化合物抗疟作用的靶分子.本研究首次发现两种瑞香素结构衍生物DA78与DA79具有与瑞香素同一水平的抗疟活性,为寻求更有效的抗疟化合物提供了方向,并利用分子生物学方法对瑞香素抗疟化合物抗疟作用的靶分子进行了筛选与研究,初步确定了RNR作为瑞香素类抗疟化合物抗疟作用的靶标,为今后瑞香素类抗疟药物的进一步开发提供了理论依据.     

The effect of chelating agents on iron mobilization in Chang cell cultures.

The investigation of chelating agents with potential therapeutic value in patients with transfusional iron overload has been facilitated by the use of Chang cell cultures. These cells have been incubated with [59Fe]transferrin for 22 hr, following which most of the intracellular radioiron is found in the cytosol, distributed between a ferritin and a nonferritin form. Iron release from the cells depends on transferrin saturation in the medium, but when transferrin is 100% saturated, which normally does not allow iron release, desferrioxamine, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, rhodotorulic acid, cholythydroxamic acid, and tropolone all promote the mobilization of ferritin iron and its release from cells. They are effective to an approximately equal degree. The incubation of [59Fe]transferrin with tropolone in vitro at a molar ratio of 1:500 results in the transfer of most of the labeled iron to the chelator, reflecting the exceptionally high binding constant of this compound. How far these phenomena relate to therapeutic potentially remains to be seen.     

瑞香素对体外培养恶性疟原虫超氧化物歧化酶活性及DNA合成的影响

目的研究瑞香素(DPNT)对体外培养恶性疟原虫超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性及DNA合成的影响。方法在恶性疟原虫FCC1株体外培养体系中,以SOD试剂盒检测瑞香素、瑞香素铁盐及去铁胺(DFO)对疟原虫SOD活性的影响。疟原虫培养同步化,利用荧光素Hoechest33258测定在瑞香素和去铁胺作用下疟原虫不同发育阶段(环状体和滋养体)的DNA合成水平。结果与未加药对照组比较,经瑞香素作用后疟原虫总SOD下降约60％(P<0.01),而相应的经去铁胺作用后,疟原虫的总SOD仅下降约22％(P>0.05)。瑞香素铁螯合能力被遮蔽后,几乎失去对疟原虫SOD的影响。同步培养的滋养体阶段疟原虫,在瑞香素作用下DNA合成率明显低于对照组。结论在体外瑞香素可显著降低疟原虫SOD活性,并影响滋养体阶段疟原虫的DNA合成。     

瑞香素体外抗疟作用与其铁螯合能力的关系

目的　研究瑞香素体外抗疟作用与其铁螯合能力的关系。　方法　在恶性疟原虫FCC1株常规方法体外培养中检测瑞香素和去铁胺杀裂殖体活性。利用荧光探针calcein测定瑞香素和去铁胺的铁螯合能力。　结果　与强铁螯合剂去铁胺相比 ,瑞香素具有中度的铁螯合能力。体外实验中瑞香素在 0～ 12 μmol/L剂量范围内有剂量依赖性的杀裂殖体活性。瑞香素与Fe2 + 按 2∶1混合后 ,抗疟作用明显下降。　结论　瑞香素的抗疟作用与它的铁螯合能力有关。     

瑞香素对恶性疟原虫细胞色素C氧化酶及核糖核酸还原酶活性的影响

目的 体外测定瑞香素对恶性疟原虫细胞色素C氧化酶（COX）及核糖核酸还原酶（RNR）活性的影响。方法 Trager &; Jensen法体外培养恶性疟原虫FCC1/HN分离株，超声波破碎恶性疟原虫提取总蛋白，用紫外分光光度计检测瑞香素与瑞香素-Fe复合物在不同作用时间和不同作用浓度对恶性疟原虫COX活性的影响，以电子自旋共振法检测经瑞香素与瑞香素-Fe复合物作用1、2、3和4 h后，恶性疟原虫酪氨酸（Tyr）自由基的量以反映恶性疟原虫RNR的活性。 结果 体外同步培养的恶性疟原虫经瑞香素（100 μmol/L）作用2、4、8和12 h后，COX活性分别被抑制了0、6%、73%和80%；在瑞香素浓度为0.1、1、100和1 000 μmol/L，作用6 h后，COX活性分别被抑制3%、31%、53%和84%；而瑞香素-Fe复合物对COX的影响几乎消失。经瑞香素（100 μmol/L）作用1、2、3和4 h后RNR活性分别被抑制7%、51%、69%和75%；在瑞香素浓度为0.1、1、100和1 000 μmol/L，作用6 h后，RNR活性分别被抑制3%、31%、58%和93%；而瑞香素-Fe复合物作用6 h后RNR活性分别被抑制8%、6%、11%和9%。 结论 在体外瑞香素可显著降低恶性疟原虫的细胞色素C氧化酶（COX）及核糖核酸还原酶（RNR）活性。     

Attenuation by 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid of acute lung injury induced by cobra venom factor in the rat

Neutrophil-derived oxygen metabolites are thought to play an important role in the genesis of acute lung injury in a variety of diseases. In an effort to find an agent that might limit the injury, we evaluated the beneficial effects of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), a drug that has been safely administered to humans as an iron-chelating agent. Because experimental evidence has demonstrated that DHB can act as an inhibitor of free radical-induced reactions, we tested its protective effect against the neutrophil-dependent lung injury that occurs in rats after the intravenous infusion of cobra venom factor (CVF). Using a permeability index that measures the amount of intravenously administered 125I-albumin that accumulates in lung tissue, we found that pretreatment with DHB reduced (p less than 0.05) the lung injury in CVF-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. Morphometric analysis of lung tissue indicated that the protection by DHB was not caused by inhibition of CVF-induced neutrophil sequestration within the lung vasculature. Because iron-saturated DHB did not attenuate lung injury, and because in vitro experiments demonstrated that DHB inhibited iron-hydrogen peroxide-induced peroxidation of phospholipid liposomes, we suspect that DHB may be protecting the lung via chelation of iron. We conclude that dihydroxybenzoic acid protects the rat lung from the neutrophil-dependent lung injury that occurs after cobra venom factor infusion. Because this drug has been safely administered to humans, it may have potential as an agent to prevent acute lung injury.     

瑞香素抗红外期疟原虫作用的研究

目的　研究瑞香素 (DPNT)抗红外期疟原虫的作用。方法　于ICR小鼠腹腔注射约氏疟原虫子孢子后 0 5h灌胃给药 ,连续 4d。不同剂量的DPNT及DPNT伍用伯氨喹 (PQ)的抗疟作用 ,分别以d7ICR小鼠阴性率及d1 1 或d1 2 ICR小鼠每千个红细胞被原虫感染数作评价 ,并观察DPNT对ICR小鼠血红蛋白浓度的影响。结果　DPNT的剂量范围为每天 10～ 10 0mg/kg ,连服 4d ,d7原虫阴性小鼠数及d1 1 红细胞被感染程度与对照组相比其差异均无显著性 ;DPNT每天 5 0mg/kg和每天PQ5mg/kg配伍组的d7小鼠阴性率与PQ每天 10mg/kg组相当。ICR小鼠DPNT每天 5 0mg/kg组与对照组血红蛋白浓度在d8天有差异。结论　DPNT单独用药 ,无明显抗红外期疟原虫作用 ,但DPNT每天 5 0mg/kg与PQ每天 5mg/kg伍用的抗疟效果与PQ每天 10mg/kg相当。DPNT在短期内可致小鼠贫血。     

Detection of hydroxyl radicals in the post-ischemic reperfused heart using salicylate as a trapping agent.

The formation of hydroxyl radical in the post-ischemic reperfused heart was measured with high performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection using salicylic acid. Hydroxyl radicals react with salicylic acid yielding 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, which can be separated by the liquid chromatography. Isolated rat hearts were perfused with 1 mM salicylic acid and were subjected to 30 mins of global ischemia followed by aerobic or anaerobic reperfusion at 37 degrees C. The effluent from the hearts was collected at various intervals, extracted with ether, and injected into the high performance liquid chromatography unit. 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid was present only after aerobic reperfusion and was not detected before ischemia. The liquid chromatography peak of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid was too small for quantitation. The concentration of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid was the highest within 300 s of reperfusion. 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid was not detected in the ischemic hearts during anaerobic reperfusion. In ischemic hearts perfused with mannitol, the amount of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid after reperfusion was reduced. These data suggest that hydroxyl radicals are produced in the post-ischemic reperfused heart and that the present method is useful and reliable for the measurement of hydroxyl radicals in the heart.     

Erythrocyte haemolysate interacts with ATP–Fe to form a complex containing iron, ATP and 13 800 MW polypeptide

Summary Iron first entering the reticulocyte is bound to ATP in the low MW cytosolic pool; some is also 'loosely bound' to haemoglobin, coeluting with haemoglobin from a molecular sieve column though not incorporated into haem. When haemolysate is mixed with ATP-Fe in vitro a similar high MW iron-containing complex is formed: the ATP-Fe interacts with a non-haemoglobin constituent of the haemolysate to form a high MW ATP-Fe complex in which the ratio of ATP:Fe (originally 6:1) is reversed, so that the complex contains more iron than ATP. The high MW ATP-Fe complex is formed even when ATP is in 150-fold molar excess and is formed without detectable hydrolysis of the ATP. The activity of haemolysate in forming the high MW ATP-Fe complex is not diminished by dialysis; all of the activity is recovered in the haemoglobin-containing fraction obtained from an Ultrogel AcA 44 column. The activity does not derive from haemoglobin since 85% of the activity is removed when haemoglobin is purified from haemolysate with DEAE-Sephadex. The chelatable iron pool of the cell probably includes both the high MW ATP-Fe complex and low MW ATP-Fe. Shunting of ATP-Fe to a high MW aggregate reduces the amount of iron present in the highly reactive low MW form and thus probably serves to limit the formation of cell damaging radicals.     

蒿甲醚与瑞香素伍用对感染伯氏疟原虫小鼠的治疗作用

目的　研究蒿甲醚与瑞香素伍用(A+D)对感染伯氏疟原虫ANKA株小鼠的疗效及其联合作用方式。　方法　按“四天抑制法”d0 感染,d0 ～d3 给药,每天1次,d4涂薄血膜检查,并计算d4减虫率及各药丰数有效置(ED50),用等效应图解法分析A+D的合并作用。　结果　蒿甲醚0.4mg/(kg·d)× 4d的d4减虫率与对照组相比差异无显著性 ;[A0 .4mg/(kg·d) +D7.7mg/(kg·d) ]× 4d的抗疟效果提高 ,与对照组相比差异有显著性(P<0.05)。A+D各组的ED50均低于单用药组;不同配伍比例的R值皆大于0.4,小于2.7(0.4     

Regulation of intracellular iron metabolism in human erythroid precursors by internalized extracellular ferritin.

Human erythroid precursors grown in culture possess membrane receptors that bind and internalize acid isoferritin. These receptors are regulated by the iron status of the cell, implying that ferritin iron uptake may represent a normal physiologic pathway. The present studies describe the fate of internalized ferritin, the mechanisms involved in the release of its iron, and the recognition of this iron by the cell. Normal human erythroid precursors were grown in a 2-phase liquid culture that supports the proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of erythroid precursors. At the stage of polychromatic normoblasts, cells were briefly incubated with (59)Fe- and/or (125)I-labeled acid isoferritin and chased. The (125)I-labeled ferritin protein was rapidly degraded and only 50% of the label remained in intact ferritin protein after 3 to 4 hours. In parallel, (59)Fe decreased in ferritin and increased in hemoglobin. Extracellular holoferritin uptake elevated the cellular labile iron pool (LIP) and reduced iron regulatory protein (IRP) activity; this was inhibited by leupeptin or chloroquine. Extracellular apoferritin taken up by the cell functioned as an iron scavenger: it decreased the level of cellular LIP and increased IRP activity. We suggest that the iron from extracellular is metabolized in a similar fashion by developing erythroid cells as is intracellular ferritin. Following its uptake, extracellular ferritin iron is released by proteolytic degradation of the protein shell in an acid compartment. The released iron induces an increase in the cellular LIP and participates in heme synthesis and in intracellular iron regulatory pathways.     

Parasite uptake of desferroxamine: a prerequisite for antimalarial activity

Desferroxamine has been shown to exhibit potent antimalarial activity. However, it is unclear as to whether desferroxamine functions by the chelation of extracellular, intra-erythrocytic, or parasite-associated iron. In order to determine desferroxamine's site of action, we have employed a large molecular weight dextran derivative of desferroxamine (70 kDa) and a reversible osmotic lysis technique by which erythrocytes were intracellularly loaded with this chelator. The desferroxamine-dextran derivative has virtually identical iron-binding characteristics to desferroxamine but, unlike desferroxamine, it is unable to cross the erythrocyte membrane. As previously shown, desferroxamine added to culture media exhibited potent antimalarial activity (mean effective inhibitory dose (ED50) approximately 6 microM). However, extracellular desferroxamine-dextran showed antimalarial activity only at very high doses (ED50 greater than or equal to 180 microM), indicating that extracellular iron chelation is not involved in the antimalarial activity of desferroxamine. The intra-erythrocytic entrapment of the desferroxamine-dextran derivative also had no significant effect, except at very high concentrations, demonstrating that desferroxamine does not remove a non-haem iron source necessary for malarial replication. The results of this study clearly suggests that the antimalarial activity of desferroxamine is directly related to its ability to enter the parasitic compartment and not due to the chelation of extra- or intra-erythrocytic iron pools necessary for malarial growth.     

Chelation Studies with 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid in Patients with β-Thalassaemia Major

S ummary . 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid was evaluated as a potentially useful, orally effective iron-chelating drug by performing iron balance studies in patients with β-thalassaemia major. The administration of this substance at 25 mg/kg/d to five patients for 8 d caused an average increase in iron excretion of 4.5 mg/d. When the drug was administered at 25 mg/kg q.i.d. to eight patients for 21 d, iron excretion increased to 6.5 mg/d. Chelation was highly specific for iron with changes in magnesium and calcium excretion being insignificant. The drug was well tolerated with side effects limited to gastrointestinal complaints which ameliorated when the drug was taken with food. These studies provide a rationale for further evaluation of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid in patients with iron overload.     

Modulation of the RNA-binding activity of a regulatory protein by iron in vitro: switching between enzymatic and genetic function?

The iron-responsive element-binding protein (IRE-BP) is an RNA-binding protein that regulates the expression of several mRNAs in response to availability of cellular iron. The iron-dependent control of IRE-BP activity has been reconstituted in vitro. Incubation of purified IRE-BP with iron salts in the presence of the reducing agent cysteine decreases IRE-BP binding to the cognate RNA element. The specificity of this effect is established by several parameters: (i) the interaction of the spliceosomal protein U1A with its U1 small nuclear RNA target sequence as an internal control is unaffected by iron perturbations, (ii) non-iron metals fail to mimic the iron effect, and (iii) iron chelator activates the IRE-binding activity of IRE-BP and titrates the effect of iron salts. Modulation of IRE-BP activity by chelatable iron is reversible and thus does not involve permanent alterations of the integrity of the protein. These findings accurately mirror the physiological basis for iron regulation of transferrin receptor mRNA stability as well as ferritin and erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase mRNA translation in vivo. We discuss these data vis-a-vis the structural homology of IRE-BP with the iron-sulfur protein aconitase and propose a mechanism by which the same cytoplasmic protein serves a dual function as an RNA-binding factor and an enzyme.     

Relationship between serum ferritin,anemia, and disease activity in acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis

Summary The assessment of anemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis may be difficult, especially when iron deficiency and the anemia of chronic disease coexist. The development of a radioimmunoassay for serum ferritin concentration has aided the detection of reduced body iron stores in uncomplicated iron deficiency, but its use is compromised in clinically active rheumatoid arthritis by the tendency of serum ferritin to behave as an acute phase reactant. In this latter role it correlated well with disease activity in the patients we studied. Followed serially, serum ferritin levels fell in patients whose disease activity improved after institution of appropriate therapy. In anemic patients with clinically inactive disease, supplemental iron was associated with a significant rise in hemoglobin when compared to untreated patients. Serum ferritin levels behaved independently of hemoglobin levels. Therefore even in clinically inactive rheumatoid arthritis, serum ferritin does not accurately reflect an iron deficiency.     

Evaluation of quinolone derivatives for antitrypanosomal activity

About 160 fluoroquinolones and derivatives were tested for antitrypanosomal activity in a drug sensitivity assay followed by fluorometric evaluation. The most active quinolone compounds had IC50 values in the range from 100 to 900 ng/ml, while several derivatives were not active at a concentration of 100 microg/ml. In a structure activity relationship study, modification of the quinolones at position R1, R2, R3 and R8 did not influence trypanocidal activity. An exchange of the fluor at position 6 may contribute to an increase in activity but does not entirely control it. Pyrrolidine substituents at position R7 generally were more active than other substituents at this position. Tetracyclic quinolone derivatives were amongst the most active compounds with IC50 values in the range of 0.3-8.8 microg/ml. The in vitro cytotoxicity on HT-29 cells was determined for active compounds with IC50 values below 1 microg/ml. In addition, six drugs with an IC50 below 1 microg/ml and a selectivity index of more than 10 were chosen for in vivo experiments. Dose escalation experiments with a maximum dose of 100 mg/kg/bid were performed in a mouse model without central nervous system involvement. For unknown reasons the in vitro effect of the drugs could not be confirmed in vivo, but the class of compound remains of interest for their mode of action, the low toxicity, pharmacological properties and the availability of a large number of synthesized compounds.     

Generation of reactive oxygen species by the faecal matrix

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species are implicated in the aetiology of a range of human diseases and there is increasing interest in their role in the development of cancer. AIM: To develop a suitable method for the detection of reactive oxygen species produced by the faecal matrix. METHODS: A refined high performance liquid chromatography system for the detection of reactive oxygen species is described. RESULTS: The method allows baseline separation of the products of hydroxyl radical attack on salicylic acid in the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system, namely 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and catechol. The increased efficiency and precision of the method has allowed a detailed evaluation of the dynamics of reactive oxygen species generation in the faecal matrix. The data show that the faecal matrix is capable of generating reactive oxygen species in abundance. This ability cannot be attributed to the bacteria present, but rather to a soluble component within the matrix. As yet, the nature of this soluble factor is not entirely clear but is likely to be a reducing agent. CONCLUSIONS: The soluble nature of the promoting factor renders it amenable to absorption, and circumstances may exist in which either it comes into contact with either free or chelated iron in the colonocyte, leading to direct attack on cellular DNA, or else it initiates lipid peroxidation processes whereby membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids are attacked by reactive oxygen species propagating chain reactions leading to the generation of promutagenic lesions such as etheno based DNA adducts.     

Quantification of hydroxyl radical and its lack of relevance to myocardial injury during early reperfusion after graded ischemia in rat hearts.

To elucidate the pathophysiological role of the hydroxyl radical (.OH) during the postischemic reperfusion of the heart, we measured the .OH product in the coronary effluent from isolated perfused rat heart during a 30-minute reperfusion period after various ischemic intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 60 minutes. Salicylic acid was used as the probe for .OH, and its derivative, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHBA), was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. 2,5-DHBA was negligible in the effluent from nonischemic hearts, but a significant amount was detected from the hearts rendered ischemic for 10 minutes or longer. The peak of 2,5-DHBA was seen within 90 seconds after the onset of reperfusion in every group. The accumulated amount of 2,5-DHBA was maximal in the group with 15-minute ischemia (6.73 +/- 1.04 nmol/g wet heart wt after 30 minutes of reperfusion); it decreased as the ischemic time was prolonged and was 2.38 +/- 0.84 nmol/g wet wt after 30 minutes of reperfusion in the group with 60-minute ischemia. In the model of 15-minute ischemia/30-minute reperfusion, there was no correlation between the accumulated amount of 2,5-DHBA and functional recovery (+/- dP/dt, heart rate, and coronary flow), lactate dehydrogenase release, and morphological damage. Although treatment with 0.5 mM deferoxamine, an iron chelator, significantly decreased 2,5-DHBA (from 6.73 +/- 1.04 to 2.29 +/- 0.80 nmol/g wet wt after 30 minutes of reperfusion, p less than 0.01), it failed to reduce the postischemic myocardial injury in the group with 15-minute ischemia. The results suggest that .OH production is influenced by the preceding ischemic interval and that .OH does not exert an immediate direct effect on postischemic damage during early reperfusion in the isolated perfused rat heart, although a possibility remains that the small portion of .OH trapped by salicylic acid may not be intimately associated with myocardial injury.