Improved method to measure erythrocyte filtration times increased extremely by chlorate

A method is presented that allows the measurement of erythrocyte filtration times that are extremely prolonged. Filtration times through polycarbonate sieves are increased by a factor of 40 after 2 h incubation with 30 mM sodium chlorate. This increase in red cell rigidity offers an explanation for the haemolysis observed in chlorate poisoning in vivo.     

Severe chlorate poisoning: Report of a case

A case of severe sodium chlorate poisoning was observed within 5 h after suicidal ingestion of 150–200 g of the herbicide. Methaemoglobinaemia was the early symptom of the intoxication. Treatment with methylene blue and ascorbic acid could not prevent a massive haemolysis with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Hypercoagulation and hyperfibrinolysis could be treated successfully with exchange transfusions, heparin and fresh plasma. During the first hours, 70 mmol chlorate were excreted before complete renal failure occurred which required haemodialysis for several weeks. Clinical observations and in vitro experiments provide evidence that methylene blue is effective only in the very early stages of chlorate poisoning. Consequently, the following treatment is suggested: gastric lavage, exchange transfusion, bicarbonate infusion, haemodialysis, anticoagulation with heparin and substitution of clotting factors if necessary.Dedicated to Prof. Gustav Adolf Martini on occasion of his sixty-fifth birthdayA preliminary report has been given at the Spring Meeting of the German Pharmacological Society, Mainz, March 1981     

Nitrite intoxication: Protection with methylene blue and oxygen

The lethal effects of sodium nitrite can be antagonized by the administration of various combinations of methylene blue, oxygen, and hyperbaric oxygen. The potency ratios were compared in groups of mice pretreated with methylene blue (2 or 20 mg/kg) and/or oxygen (1 ATA or 2 ATA). Hyperbaric oxygen (2 ATA) was found to be more effective than oxygen (1 ATA) or air with or without methylene blue at 2 mg/kg. When the dose of methylene blue was increased to 20 mg/kg, oxygen (1 ATA) was more effective than air, but hyperbaric oxygen was no more efficacious than oxygen (1 ATA).     

Occupational methaemoglobinaemia. Mechanisms of production, features, diagnosis and management including the use of methylene blue

Methaemoglobin is formed by oxidation of ferrous (FeII) haem to the ferric (FeIII) state and the mechanisms by which this occurs are complex. Most cases are due to one of three processes. Firstly, direct oxidation of ferrohaemoglobin, which involves the transfer of electrons from ferrous haem to the oxidising compound. This mechanism proceeds most readily in the absence of oxygen. Secondly, indirect oxidation, a process of co-oxidation which requires haemoglobin-bound oxygen and is involved, for example, in nitrite-induced methaemoglobinaemia. Thirdly, biotransformation of a chemical to an active intermediate that initiates methaemoglobin formation by a variety of mechanisms. This is the means by which most aromatic compounds, such as amino- and nitro-derivatives of benzene, produce methaemoglobin. Methaemoglobinaemia is an uncommon occupational occurrence. Aromatic compounds are responsible for most cases, their lipophilic nature and volatility facilitating absorption during dermal and inhalational exposure, the principal routes implicated in the workplace. Methaemoglobinaemia presents clinically with symptoms and signs of tissue hypoxia. Concentrations around 80% are life-threatening. Features of toxicity may develop over hours or even days when exposure, whether by inhalation or repeated skin contact, is to relatively low concentrations of inducing chemical(s). Not all features observed in patients with methaemoglobinaemia are due to methaemoglobin formation. For example, the intravascular haemolysis caused by oxidising chemicals such as chlorates poses more risk to life than the methaemoglobinaemia that such chemicals induce. If an occupational history is taken, the diagnosis of methaemoglobinaemia should be relatively straightforward. In addition, two clinical observations may help: firstly, the victim is often less unwell than one would expect from the severity of 'cyanosis' and, secondly, the 'cyanosis' is unresponsive to oxygen therapy. Pulse oximetry is unreliable in the presence of methaemoglobinaemia. Arterial blood gas analysis is mandatory in severe poisoning and reveals normal partial pressures of oxygen (pO2) and carbon dioxide (pCO2,), a normal 'calculated' haemoglobin oxygen saturation, an increased methaemoglobin concentration and possibly a metabolic acidosis. Following decontamination, high-flow oxygen should be given to maximise oxygen carriage by remaining ferrous haem. No controlled trial of the efficacy of methylene blue has been performed but clinical experience suggests that methylene blue can increase the rate of methaemoglobin conversion to haemoglobin some 6-fold. Patients with features and/or methaemoglobin concentrations of 30-50%, should be administered methylene blue 1-2 mg/kg/bodyweight intravenously (the dose depending on the severity of the features), whereas those with methaemoglobin concentrations exceeding 50% should be given methylene blue 2 mg/kg intravenously. Symptomatic improvement usually occurs within 30 minutes and a second dose of methylene blue will be required in only very severe cases or if there is evidence of ongoing methaemoglobin formation. Methylene blue is less effective or ineffective in the presence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency since its antidotal action is dependent on nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+). In addition, methylene blue is most effective in intact erythrocytes; efficacy is reduced in the presence of haemolysis. Moreover, in the presence of haemolysis, high dose methylene blue (20-30 mg/kg) can itself initiate methaemoglobin formation. Supplemental antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), N-acetylcysteine and tocopherol (vitamin E) have been used as adjuvants or alternatives to methylene blue with no confirmed benefit. Exchange transfusion may have a role in the management of severe haemolysis or in G-6-P-D deficiency associated with life-threatening methaemoglobinaemia where methylene blue is relatively contraindicated.     

Methylene blue induces ongoing activity in rat cutaneous primary afferents and depolarization of DRG neurons via a photosensitive mechanism

The dye methylene blue is known as a blocker of guanylyl cyclase and it has been widely used to deplete cells of internal cyclic GMP. The data presented demonstrate an activation of adult rat sensory neurons by methylene blue via a photosensitive mechanism. In single fiber recordings from primary afferents of the rat skin in vitro, methylene blue, applied to the receptive field, induced discharge activity: 2/2 Aβ-, 2/4 Aδ- and 5/7 C-fibers showed significantly enhanced firing upon 10 μM methylene blue in the presence of light, whereas the dye was ineffective when illumination was prevented. In whole cell current clamp experiments with dissociated dorsal root ganglion neurons, 100 μM methylene blue was ineffective in the dark but evoked a membrane depolarization of 15.3 ± 3.5 mV (n = 5) accompanied by discharge activity upon illumination. In whole cell voltage clamp experiments, methylene blue (100 μM) caused a significant slowing of the inactivation of voltage-dependent sodium currents. In addition, an inhibition of fast and slow outward currents was observed with prolonged exposure. The impeded sodium inactivation together with the blockade of potassium currents may contribute to the depolarization and discharge activity observed in primary afferents in vitro as well as in dissociated sensory neurons in culture. We therefore suggest that methylene blue studies with excitable cells or tissues need to be interpreted with caution. Received: 2 April 1997 / Accepted: 29 July 1997     

荭草苷对缺氧模型小鼠的抗缺氧作用研究

目的:研究荭草苷对缺氧模型小鼠的抗缺氧作用。方法:通过常压耐缺氧、亚硝酸钠中毒、氰化钾中毒、利多卡因中毒、夹闭气管及断头等建立小鼠缺氧模型,于造模前20min给予相应药物,观察药物的抗缺氧作用。结果:与生理盐水空白对照组比较,荭草苷可明显延长模型小鼠在常压缺氧、亚硝酸钠中毒、氰化钾中毒、利多卡因中毒时的存活时间,延长夹闭气管后的心电图消失时间及断头后的喘气时间。结论:荭草苷对缺氧模型小鼠具有抗缺氧作用。     

Occupational Methaemoglobinaemia

Methaemoglobin is formed by oxidation of ferrous (Fe^II) haem to the ferric (F^III) state and the mechanisms by which this occurs are complex. Most cases are due to one of three processes. Firstly, direct oxidation of ferrohaemoglobin, which involves the transfer of electrons from ferrous haem to the oxidising compound. This mechanism proceeds most readily in the absence of oxygen. Secondly, indirect oxidation, a process of co-oxidation which requires haemoglobin-bound oxygen and is involved, for example, in nitrite-induced methaemoglobinaemia. Thirdly, biotransformation of a chemical to an active intermediate that initiates methaemoglobin formation by a variety of mechanisms. This is the means by which most aromatic compounds, such as amino- and nitro-derivatives of benzene, produce methaemoglobin. Methaemoglobinaemia is an uncommon occupational occurrence. Aromatic compounds are responsible for most cases, their lipophilic nature and volatility facilitating absorption during dermal and inhalational exposure, the principal routes implicated in the workplace. Methaemoglobinaemia presents clinically with symptoms and signs of tissue hypoxia. Concentrations around 80% are life-threatening. Features of toxicity may develop over hours or even days when exposure, whether by inhalation or repeated skin contact, is to relatively low concentrations of inducing chemical(s). Not all features observed in patients with methaemoglobinaemia are due to methaemoglobin formation. For example, the intravascular haemolysis caused by oxidising chemicals such as chlorates poses more risk to life than the methaemoglobinaemia that such chemicals induce. If an occupational history is taken, the diagnosis of methaemoglobinaemia should be relatively straightforward. In addition, two clinical observations may help: firstly, the victim is often less unwell than one would expect from the severity of ‘cyanosis’ and, secondly, the ‘cyanosis’ is unresponsive to oxygen therapy. Pulse oximetry is unreliable in the presence of methaemoglobinaemia. Arterial blood gas analysis is mandatory in severe poisoning and reveals normal partial pressures of oxygen (pO₂) and carbon dioxide (pCO₂,), a normal ‘calculated’ haemoglobin oxygen saturation, an increased methaemoglobin concentration and possibly a metabolic acidosis. Following decontamination, high-flow oxygen should be given to maximise oxygen carriage by remaining ferrous haem. No controlled trial of the efficacy of methylene blue has been performed but clinical experience suggests that methylene blue can increase the rate of methaemoglobin conversion to haemoglobin some 6-fold. Patients with features and/or methaemoglobin concentrations of 30–50%, should be administered methylene blue 1–2 mg/kg/bodyweight intravenously (the dose depending on the severity of the features), whereas those with methaemoglobin concentrations exceeding 50% should be given methylene blue 2 mg/kg intravenously. Symptomatic improvement usually occurs within 30 minutes and a second dose of methylene blue will be required in only very severe cases or if there is evidence of ongoing methaemoglobin formation. Methylene blue is less effective or ineffective in the presence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency since its antidotal action is dependent on nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP⁺). In addition, methylene blue is most effective in intact erythrocytes; efficacy is reduced in the presence of haemolysis. Moreover, in the presence of haemolysis, high dose methylene blue (20–30 mg/kg) can itself initiate methaemoglobin formation. Supplemental antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), N-acetylcysteine and tocopherol (vitamin E) have been used as adjuvants or alternatives to methylene blue with no confirmed benefit. Exchange transfusion may have a role in the management of severe haemolysis or in G-6-P-D deficiency associated with life-threatening methaemoglobinaemia where methylene blue is relatively contraindicated.     

An assessment of the methemoglobin and Heinz-body-inducing capacity of pentachloronitrobenzene in the cat

All studies utilized technical grade pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) dissolved in corn oil which was administered orally to adult cats. Methemoglobin concentrations were significantly elevated from a preadministration concentration of 1 to 11, 10, and 7% 24, 48, and 72 hr, respectively, following 1600 mg/kg of PCNB. There was approximately an eightfold increase in the number of circulating erythrocytes containing Heinz bodies, so that by 72 hr 52% of those erythrocytes observed contained at least one Heinz body. The intravenous administration of methylene blue (2 mg/kg) 48 hr after PCNB (1600 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease in methemoglobin concentrations from 14 to 4% in 1 hr. Increasing the dose of PCNB to 2400 mg/kg failed to produce a significant increase in methemoglobin concentrations or Heinz body formation from preadministration concentrations. This was presumably due to erratic absorption by the gut, caused by the cathartic effect of the large volume of corn oil vehicle required. Whereas PCNB does not appear to be as potent as sodium nitrite in generating methemoglobinemia, the duration of action is markedly longer [less than 24 hr for sodium nitrite (30 mg/kg) and greater than 72 hr with 1600 mg/kg PCNB]. The methemoglobinemia which is produced is reversed by methylene blue.     

Tachyphylaxis to beta-adrenoceptor agonists in guinea pig airway smooth muscle in vivo and in vitro.

Beta-Adrenoceptor tachyphylaxis was induced by incubating spirally cut guinea pig tracheas with isoproterenol (2.4 x 10(-7) M) for 20 min. This incubation reduced the relaxant effects of catecholamines but not of dibutyryl cyclic AMP, theophylline or sodium nitrite. Tracheas incubated with norepinephrine, phosphodiesterase inhibitors or cyclic nucleotides became tachyphylactic to isoproterenol. Pretreatment with indomethacin prevented induction of tachyphylaxis. Incubation with adenosine, methoxamine or sodium nitrite did not induce beta-adrenoceptor tachyphylaxis. When we gave isoproterenol intramuscularly to guinea pigs, airway sensitivity to aerosolized histamine was unchanged but the toxicity of parenterally administered histamine was increased. A prolonged treatment with isoproterenol reduced airway sensitivity to histamine aerosols; this reduced sensitivity was reversed by indomethacin. Thus, beta-adrenoceptor tachyphylaxis may not explain increased toxicity of parenteral histamine after isoproterenol treatment. Elevated levels of cyclic AMP and an increased synthesis of prostaglandins may result in diminished response to beta-receptor stimulation.     

Prevention of molecular self-association by sodium salicylate: effect on methylene blue

Sodium salicylate improves the rectal absorption of drugs which exhibit molecular self-association; it is suggested that salicylate may improve drug bioavailability by altering the drug self-association pattern. Methylene blue was chosen as a model molecule for investigating the interference of salicylate with drugs undergoing self-association. The effect of sodium salicylate on the concentration-dependent association of methylene blue as expressed by metachromasy was observed and compared with the effects of other additives: urea, sodium chloride, sodium acetate, sodium sulfate, and sodium benzoate. By increasing the methylene blue concentration from 10(-5) M to 2 X 10(-3) M, the lambda max peak shifts from the longer wavelength region (approximately 660 nm) of the monomer toward the shorter (approximately 600 nm) indicating the presence of dimers and other oligomers. Addition of increased concentrations of sodium salicylate had a deaggregative effect on a 10(-3) M methylene blue solution, shifting the peaks toward the monomer region. On the other hand, the addition of 0.5 M of any of the following salts: sulfate, acetate, or chloride, to a 10(-3) M, aqueous solution of methylene blue had the opposite effect, eliminating the lambda max peak at 660 nm and generating a spectrum with one peak at approximately 600 nm, which indicated a high degree of self-association. The sodium salicylate effect is concentration dependent, with a high excess (approximately 450 times on a molar scale) being necessary to reduce the self-association. At lower concentrations of salicylate, precipitation occurs in the system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Thymoquinone produced antianxiety-like effects in mice through modulation of GABA and NO levels

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of GABAergic and nitriergic modulation in the antianxiety effect of thymoquinone, a major constituent of Nigella sativa, in mice under unstressed and stressed conditions. Thymoquinone (10 and 20 mg/kg), methylene blue (1 mg/kg) and diazepam (2 mg/kg) were administered followed by behavioral testing using an elevated plus maze, the light/dark test and the social interaction test in both unstressed and stressed mice (mice subjected to 6 h immobilization). The effects of the above-mentioned drugs on plasma nitrite, a stable metabolite of nitric oxide (NO) and brain GABA content were also studied. Diazepam (2 mg/kg) produced significant anxiolytic-like effects only in unstressed mice. However, diazepam significantly increased the GABA content in both unstressed and stressed mice as compared with their respective control groups. Thymoquinone (10 and 20 mg/kg) produced significant antianxiety effects in unstressed mice without altering nitrite levels, but only the higher dose (20 mg/kg) of thymoquinone increased the GABA content in unstressed mice. In stressed mice, thymoquinone (20 mg/kg) showed anxiolytic effects, with a significant decrease in plasma nitrite and reversal of the decreased brain GABA content. Pre-treatment with methylene blue enhanced the antianxiety effect of thymoquinone in both unstressed and stressed mice. Therefore, the present study suggests an involvement of NO-cGMP and GABAergic pathways in the anxiolytic-like activity of thymoquinone.     

Methylene blue can be used to treat methemoglobinemia in cats without inducing Heinz body hemolytic anemia.

Methylene blue (MB) is the drug of choice in the treatment of methemoglobinemia (MTHB) in humans and most domesticated animals, but is reported contraindicated in cats. Although prolonged treatment of cats for urologic syndromes with MB-containing antiseptics causes Heinz body (HB) hemolytic anemia, there is no evidence to suggest that single or repeated therapeutic doses of MB cause hemolytic anemia. We investigated the efficacy and safety of MB in reversing nitrite-induced MTHB in cats. Forty random-bred adult cats (20 males and 20 females) were divided as follows: Group 1, 1.5 mL saline/kg bw iv (control); Group 2, 1 dose of 1.5 mg MB/kg bw iv; Group 3, 2 doses of 1.5 mg MB/kg bw iv 4 h apart; Group 4 1 dose of 1.5 mg sodium nitrite/kg bw iv; Group 5, 1 dose of 1.5 mg sodium nitrite/kg bw iv followed by 1 dose of 1.5 mg MB/kg bw iv 1 h later; and Group 6, 1.5 mg sodium nitrite/kg bw iv followed in 2 h by 2 doses of 1.5 mg MB/kg iv 4 h apart. One iv dose of MB sufficiently and rapidly reversed MTHB in the cats without increasing circulating HB-containing red blood cells. Giving 2 iv doses of MB without or after sodium nitrite significantly increased the frequency of circulating HB-containing red blood cells. Pre-exposure to sodium nitrite potentiated the HB-inducing effect of 2 doses of MB. Hemolytic anemia was not observed or demonstrated in any of the cats groups.     

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on acute experimental sulfide poisoning in the rat

In order to evaluate the efficiency of hyperbaric oxygen in experimental acute sulfide poisoning, we studied the effect of 1 ATA (atmosphere absolute) oxygen and sodium nitrite therapy. We then studied the effect of oxygen at 3 ATA alone and in combination with intraperitoneal sodium nitrite injection on rats poisoned by intraperitoneal injection of LD75 sulfide. Electroencephalogram and heart rate were continuously monitored. We also studied the effect of sodium nitrite and hyperbaric oxygen administered before the poisoning (protective effect). In our experimental set, death of untreated poisoned animals occurred within 5 min. There is a parallel between modification of the EEG pattern and apnea. Respiratory arrest always preceded cardiac arrest. Pure oxygen (1 ATA O2) is effective in preventing death in experimental sulfide poisoning. 3 ATA oxygen was significantly more effective in preventing death than 1 ATA oxygen, or sodium nitrite alone. The best therapeutic regimen was a combination of 3 ATA oxygen and sodium nitrite administration.     

Mercaptodextran--a new copper chelator and scavenger of oxygen radicals.

The therapy of copper poisoning with mercaptodextran inhibits the copper-induced haemolysis, whereas 2,3- dimercaptopropanesulfonic acid (DMPS) may accelerate such haemolysis. Some aspects of the mechanisms of these effects were investigated. The possible generation of activated oxygen species during the interaction of Cu++ and chelating thiols was studied using a chemoluminiscent method detecting oxygen radicals. It was found that incubation of DMPS with copper ions or erythrocyte membranes was accompanied by generation of oxygen radicals. Mercaptodextran added to similar suspensions did not lead to oxygen radical production. And unlike DMPS, mercaptodextran acted as a scavenger of radicals generated by the xanthine oxidase/acetaldehyde system. The different ability of the chelating thiols to cope with free radicals may explain their different potentials to protect against copper-induced haemolysis. Our results also indicate that mercaptodextran may be a useful therapeutic agent in cases of haemolytic crisis in Wilson's disease.     

Poisoning due to urea herbicides

Urea herbicides, which act by inhibiting photosynthesis, were introduced in 1952 and are now used as pre- and post-emergence herbicides for general weed control in agricultural and non-agricultural practices. Urea herbicides are generally of low acute toxicity and severe poisoning is only likely following ingestion when nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain may occur. As urea herbicides are metabolised to aniline derivatives, which are potent oxidants of haemoglobin, methaemoglobinaemia (18-80%) has been documented, as well as haemolysis. Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. Methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue) 1-2mg (the dose depending on the severity of features) should be administered intravenously over 5-10 minutes if there are symptoms consistent with methaemoglobinaemia and/or a methaemoglobin concentration >30%.     

前列腺素而非一氧化氮是鳟主动脉内皮细胞舒血管因子(英文)

AIM:To identify the type of prostanoids produced by endothelial cells of trout aorta and to determine whether or not the smooth muscle responds to nitric oxide. METHODS:Ventral aortas, with and without endotheli-um from rainbow trout (S gairdneri), were incubated in a buffered salt solution. RESULTS:Addition of the calcium ionophore A23187 caused a significant increase in prostaglandin E's and a consistent increase in the stable metabolite of prostacyclin (6-keto-prostaglandin F1a) in the incubation media only when the endothelium was present. This production was inhibited by methylene blue (10umol/L). In rings of trout aorta without endothelium suspended for the measurement of isometric force in organ chambers,prostacyclin and prostaglandin E1 but not prostaglandin E2 caused concentration-dependent decreases in tension when the rings were contracted with acetyl-choline. The smooth muscle did not relax to nitric oxide but did so to sodium nitroprusside. Relaxations to the latter nitrovasodilator were no     

Promising role of alpha-ketoglutarate in protecting against the lethal effects of cyanide

Treatment of cyanide poisoning generally includes amyl nitrite and/or sodium nitrite (SN) in combination with sodium thiosulphate (STS). However, in many instances of cyanide poisoning, use of nitrites is contraindicated due to their strong vasoactive properties. alpha-Ketoglutarate (alpha-KG) antagonizes cyanide poisoning by cyanohydrin formation. Protective efficacy of graded doses of alpha-KG (p.o.) as pretreatment, simultaneous treatment or post-treatment was evaluated against acute potassium cyanide (KCN) poisoning (p.o.) in female rats. Pretreatment with alpha-KG (0.125-2.0 g/kg) exhibited dose- and time-dependent effects and was found to be effective even when given up to 60 min prior to KCN. Addition of STS significantly enhanced the protective efficacy of alpha-KG at all the doses and time intervals. A 10-min pretreatment with alpha-KG increased the LD50 of KCN by 7-fold, which was further increased 28-fold by the addition of both SN and STS. Simultaneous treatment with alpha-KG (2.0 g/kg) increased the LD50 of KCN by 7-fold, which was doubled by the addition of STS. However, addition of SN did not confer any additional protection. Post-treatment with alpha-KG + STS minimized the mortality by 50% but did not significantly extend the survival time in KCN (2 LD50)-administered rats. KCN (0.75 LD50) inhibited rat brain cytochrome oxidase, which was significantly protected by pretreatment or simultaneous treatment with alpha-KG and STS. Considering the efficacy and safety of peroral alpha-KG, a promising treatment regimen consisting of alpha-KG + STS or alpha-KG + SN + STS is proposed depending upon the situation.     

The mitigating effects of phosphatidylcholines on bile salt- and lysophosphatidylcholine-induced membrane damage.

The effects, at pH 7.0, of a series of 0.2 mM phosphatidylcholines (PC), namely dicaproyl-PC (DCPC), didecanoyl-PC (DDPC), dilauroyl-PC (DLaPC), dimyristoyl-PC (DMPC), dipalmitoyl-PC (DPPC), dioleoyl-PC (DOPC) and dilinoleoyl-PC (DLPC) and a series of 0.2 mM fatty acid salts (namely sodium myristate, palmitate, stearate, oleate and linoleate) upon the erythrocyte haemolysis induced by 2 mM sodium taurodeoxycholate (STDC) were determined. The influence of egg PC and dihexadecyl phosphate (DHDP) concentration upon the haemolysis induced by 1.4 mM sodium deoxycholate (SDC), 2 mM STDC and 0.1 mM lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) were also established. A bile salt:egg PC mole ratio of 0.5 virtually abolished the haemolysis induced by SDC and STDC, whereas the same ratio of LPC:egg PC only reduced haemolysis from 65 to 40% (maximum haemolysis). DHDP had no effect on the haemolytic action of SDC or STDC. The salts of the fatty acids were non-haemolytic, and when mixed with STDC did not affect the level of haemolysis induced by the bile salt. In contrast, DDPC and DLaPC enhanced the haemolysis of STDC and DCPC had no effect, whereas DMPC, DPPC, DSPC, DOPC, DLPC and egg PC all reduced haemolysis. Maximum reduction was determined for DMPC and egg PC. The mixed micelle preparation temperature (either room or 60 degrees C) and temperature of incubation (either 20 degrees C for 30 min or 37 degrees C for 5 min) had only minor effects on the net haemolysis induced by STDC. These findings may be of significance in understanding the aetiology of certain gastrointestinal diseases and in determining whether mixed bile salt micelles have a role as drug penetration enhancers.     

S-nitrosothiols as vasodilators: implications regarding tolerance to nitric oxide-containing vasodilators

1. The formation of an S-nitrosothiol compound, S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC) has recently been proposed to mediate the augmentation of the anti-aggregatory and haemodynamic effects of glyceryl trinitrate observed in the presence of N-acetylcysteine. This study investigated the effects on an isolated coronary artery preparation of acute and prolonged exposure to S-nitrosothiol compounds and nitric oxide (NO). 2. Single doses of NO and of the S-nitrosothiol compounds, SNAC and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP), induced rapid, but transient, relaxations in U46619-contracted bovine isolated coronary artery rings. Peak relaxation responses to SNAP and NO were attenuated in the presence of N-acetylcysteine, cysteine, ascorbic acid and methylene blue. The duration of the relaxation responses to SNAC was two to three times longer than those to SNAP and NO. In the presence of N-acetylcysteine (but not cysteine, ascorbic acid or methylene blue) the duration of the relaxation responses to SNAP and NO (but not to SNAC) was markedly increased. H.p.l.c. assay confirmed that, in the presence of N-acetylcysteine, SNAP and, to a lesser degree, NO were converted to the relatively more stable and longer acting vasodilator, SNAC. 3. When compared to control rings, coronary artery rings superfused with glyceryl trinitrate were subsequently markedly less responsive to the vasodilator actions of glyceryl trinitrate, whereas responsiveness to SNAC or NO was only marginally reduced. On the other hand, coronary artery rings superfused with SNAC or NO were subsequently less responsive to glyceryl trinitrate, SNAC and NO. Thus prolonged vascular exposure to SNAC or NO induced a form of tolerance different from that induced with glyceryl trinitrate and which is possibly associated with impaired guanylate cyclase activity. 4. Coronary artery rings superfused with NO were markedly less responsive to glyceryl trinitrate and NO, whereas responses to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator A23187 and to theophylline were not significantly attenuated. 5. It is concluded that formation of the more stable vasodilator SNAC occurs on incubation of N-acetylcysteine with SNAP or NO. While coronary artery responsiveness to SNAC and NO is virtually unchanged in the presence of glyceryl trinitrate-induced tolerance, after prolonged exposure to SNAC or NO tolerance may develop to these vasodilators with cross-tolerance to glyceryl trinitrate but not A23187. Thus, formation or therapeutic utilization of SNAC may acutely circumvent the problem of glyceryl trinitrate-induced tolerance but, during prolonged vascular exposure to SNAC, attenuation of vascular responsiveness may occur to a wide range of vasodilators.     

In vitro effect of n-nitrosodiethylamine on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in human erythrocytes

Human erythrocytes were used in vitro to investigate the effect of the hepatocarcinogen N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) on lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR). LPO and erythrocyte haemolysis increased with increasing concentrations of NDEA and with increased exposure time. CAT activity decreased while GR activity increased with both the increasing concentrations of NDEA treatment and exposure time. However, no alteration was observed in SOD enzyme activity. The inhibitory effects of antioxidants and free radical scavengers such as EDTA, succinic acid, sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid were observed. These agents lowered NDEA-induced LPO and haemolysis in erythrocytes. This might indicate that the generation of free radicals and subsequent LPO may play a role, at least in part, in inducing NDEA toxicity.