Causes of B chromosome variant substitution in the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans

We have analysed B chromosome frequency for three consecutive years, B transmission rate at population and individual levels, clutch size, egg fertility and embryo–adult viability in a natural population of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans containing two different B chromosome variants, i.e. B₂ and B₂₄, the second being derived from the first and having replaced it in nearby populations. From 2002 to 2003 the relative frequency of both variants changed, although the differences did not reach significance. A mother–offspring analysis showed no significant effect of any of the two B variants on clutch size, egg fertility or embryo–adult viability, but B₂₄ was more efficiently transmitted than B₂ through males from the 2002 season, which explains the observed frequency change. Controlled crosses, at individual level, showed significant drive through some females for B₂₄ but not for B₂, suggesting that this difference in transmission rate might also be important for the substitution process. The analysis of relative fitness for B₂ and B₂₄ carriers for all fitness components, as a whole, showed a significantly better performance of B₂₄-carrying individuals, suggesting that the cumulative effect of these slight differences might contribute to the replacement of B₂ by B₂₄. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at .     

Inhibition of 2-nitropropane-induced rat liver DNA and RNA damage by benzyl selenocyanate

We observed that pretreatment of male F344 rats with benzyl selenocyanate, a versatile organoselenium chemopreventive agent in several animal model systems, decreases the levels of DNA and RNA modifications produced in the liver by the hepatocarcinogen 2- nitropropane. To clarify the mechanisms involved, we pretreated male F344 rats with either benzyl selenocyanate, its sulfur analog benzyl thiocyanate, phenobarbital or cobalt protoporphyrin IX; the latter is a depletor of P450. We then determined (1) the ability of liver microsomes to denitrify 2-nitropropane, (2) effects on 2-nitropropane- induced liver DNA and RNA modifications and (3) amount of nitrate excreted in rat urine following administration of the carcinogen. Pretreatment with benzyl selenocyanate or phenobarbital increased the denitrification activity of liver microsomes by 217 and 765%, respectively, increased liver P4502B1 by 31- and 435-fold, respectively, decreased the levels of 2-nitropropane-induced modifications in liver DNA (29-70% and 17-30%, respectively) and RNA (67-85% and 30-50%, respectively), and increased the 24-h urinary excretion of nitrate by 157 and 209%, respectively. Pretreatment with benzyl thiocyanate had no significant effect on any of these parameters. Pretreatment with cobalt protoporphyrin IX decreased liver P4502B 1 by 87%, decreased the denitrification activity of liver microsomes by 76%, decreased the 24 h urinary excretion of nitrate by 88.5%, but increased the extent of 2-nitropropane-induced liver nucleic acid modifications by 17-67%. These results indicate that the metabolic sequence from 2-nitropropane to the reactive species causing DNA and RNA modifications does not involve the removal of the nitro group. Moreover, they suggest that benzyl selenocyanate inhibits 2-NP-induced liver nucleic acid modifications in part by increasing its detoxication through induction of denitrification, although it is evident that other mechanisms must also be involved.      

Relative weight of glucose, insulin and parathyroid hormone in the urinary loss of phosphate by chronically diabetic rats

This report deals with the relationships between glucose (G) and insulin on the tubular transport of phosphate (P) in chronically diabetic rats with high plasma levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Alloxan-induced diabetes leads to phosphorus depletion of the soft tissues. This phenomenon appears associated with weight loss and negative P balances caused by the increased urinary P excretion. Administration of 2 IU of insulin/100 g body weight (bw) to diabetic rats normalized their P balance and body weight. The effect of parathyroid function on the P metabolism of diabetic rats was investigated with balance experiments. Diabetic rats, intact or thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX), have a greater urinary excretion of P than their controls. However, in control rats, the ratio intact:TPTX for urinary P is 1.0:0.76, showing the antiphosphaturic effect of parathyroid ablation. For diabetic animals, on the other hand, the ratio is 1.0:1.44. The simultaneous deficit of insulin and PTH thus quadruples the urinary P loss, instead of compensating for each other. The contribution of insulin deficit and hyperglycemia to the defect in tubular reabsorption (TRP) was investigated with clearance experiments (done on anesthetized, perfused rats). Five experimental groups were used: Controls (C), diabetics (D), controls+glucose (C+G), diabetics+insulin (D+I) and diabetics+insulin+glucose (D+I+G). All experimental groups showed a linear relationship between the TRP of P and G. The regression equation for C is significantly different (F=40.1, P<0.001) from that of D animals. The slope value measure the number of μmoles of P per μmol of G reabsorbed. For C and D rats, the ratio P:G approximates 1:4 and 1:20, respectively. The increase in P:G ratios represents the competition between both substrates for tubular resorption. Glycemias up to 11 mM (C and D+I) exist concurrent with the P:G ratio 1:4. Glycemias above 25 mM (D, C+G and D+I+G) produce a P:G ratio of 1:20. Fractional excretion of P (FEP) increased significantly in untreated, chronically diabetic rats (0.47± 0.12 vs controls=0.05±0.01, P<0.001). After a single intramuscular injection of insulin, the FEP decreased as a function of insulin levels. To normalize the FEP of diabetic rats in short-term experiments, insulin had to be administered in doses that produce plasma insulin levels 25 times greater than normal. The general information afforded by the present experiments shows that in untreated, chronically diabetic rats, insulin deficit plays an indirect role. The absence of PTH enhances the effect of hyperglycemia. The latter and the concurrent tubular overload of glucose are the cause of hyperphosphaturia in these animals. Received: 10 September 1996 / Accepted in revised form: 18 April 1997