Dioxin-like, non-dioxin like PCB and PCDD/F contamination in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) from the Loire estuarine continuum: spatial and biological variabilities.

To characterize the eel contamination by dioxin-like (dl) and non dioxin-like (ndl) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), sixty-two eels from the Loire estuary (France) were analyzed. PCB contamination significantly increased from glass eel stage (3.71 ± 1.85 and 15.2 ± 4.2 ng g(-1) dw) to other life stages (for yellow eels: 62.8 ± 34.4 and 382 ± 182 ng g(-1) dw; for silver eels: 93.7 ± 56.3 and 463 ± 245 ng g(-1) dw respectively for dl and ndl-PCBs). An inter-site variability based on PCB levels and profiles was observed among the three studied sites. For glass eels, the profile was mainly characterized by less chlorinated PCBs contrary to the other eels, displaying a different bioaccumulation pathway. Overall, the contamination level in the eels from this estuary was shown to be low for PCDD/Fs and intermediate for dl and ndl-PCBs, compared to other international/national areas. However, more than 60% of the studied silver eels displayed higher values for PCDD/F and dl-PCB WHO2005 TEQ than the EU permissible level of 10 pg g(-1) ww. This statement suggests a potential exposure to PCBs through eel consumption, especially with silver eels, and also points out apparent contamination that could eventually affect the reproductive success of the species.

Development and validation of an improved liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the determination of pemetrexed in human plasma.

An improved liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the determination of pemetrexed in human plasma was developed and validated using a simple quadrupole LC-MS and a new SPE cartridge (Plexa Bond Elut). The analysis was achieved with a C18 analytical column using a mobile phase consisting of formic acid/acetonitrile and isocratic flow for 7 min. The linear ranges (r(2)>0.99) were found from 5 to 5000 ng/mL. The lower limit of detection was 2.5 ng/mL. Within-day and between-day precisions were less than 7.2% and inaccuracy did not exceed 2.8%. This new method is suitable to support pharmacokinetic studies and drug monitoring.

Retention mechanism of peptides on a stationary phase embedded with a quaternary ammonium group: a liquid chromatography study.

We investigated the mechanisms involved in the retention of various peptides on a stationary phase embedded with a quaternary ammonium group (BS C23), by high-performance liquid chromatography. This was compared with peptide retention on a conventional reversed-phase C18 (RP C18) column under isocratic conditions, to understand better the various mechanisms involved. Chromatographic characterization of the two stationary phases with "model" compounds showed that BS C23 is less hydrophobic than RP C18 and induces electrostatic interaction (attraction or repulsion) with ionized compounds. If reversed-phase partitioning was the predominant retention phenomenon, for both stationary phases, the retention mechanisms in BS C23 provided different selectivity to that of RP C18. Electrostatic attraction or repulsion was clearly observed between peptides and the permanent positively charged group embedded in BS C23 depending on the pH. For most of the peptides, a weak anion-exchange mechanism was observed on the quaternary ammonium-embedded stationary phase if mobile phases at neutral pH and low ionic strengths were employed.

Magnesium deficiency reveals the neurotoxicity of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) low doses in rats.

In the present study, muricide behaviour (MB) was studied in Long Evans rats in various situations. The MB pattern of each experimental group was compared, in 6 successive assays 1 hr-delayed to that of natural killer rats (NK). The percentage of NK rats was 11% in the strain used. In the 11 mg THC/kg b.w. treated naive rats, a significant additional percentage of rats (59%) became muricidal. The durations of the 3 MB phases were significantly increased as a result of an increased aggressiveness in the 1st assay but returned progressively to NK values on the 6th assay, in parallel with the physiological elimination of THC. This result indicates a true killing training in those non killer rats that became muricidal under THC. A severe magnesium deficiency induced by a 50 ppm magnesium-deficient diet induced 100% MB whereas a 150 ppm magnesium deficiency did not induce additional MB. In the severe deficiency, the MB pattern was rather similar to that of NK with the exception of the attack on the living mouse which was doubled probably because of magnesium-induced hyperexcitability responsible for a lower attack efficiency. In both 50 but also 150 ppm magnesium-deficient rats, a single injection of THC at low doses (2, 4 or 8 mg THC/kg b.w.) which is without aggressive effect in control rats, induced a 100% MB, the pattern of which was all the more severe as the magnesium deficiency was important or the THC dose higher. The pattern showed an important decrease in the two first phases and a dramatic increase in the attack on the dead mouse, suggesting that the combination of both treatments provoked severe central damage with a compulsive killing behavior. Consequently, it appears that a magnesium deficiency, even a moderate one, may aggravate the neurotoxicity of THC at low doses and, reciprocally, that low doses of THC may reveal the potential neurotoxicity of a moderate magnesium deficiency.

New procedure for selective extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in plants for gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis.

A new solid-phase extraction method for the clean-up and the quantitation by GC-MS of regulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from lettuce was developed and the experimental conditions were optimized. After ultrasonic extraction using toluene and saponification of samples, a clean-up of extracts through solid-phase extraction was performed. Samples were finally analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using an internal deuterated standard. Saponification by KOH in methanol-water (80:20) was successful allowing a good elimination of the interfering chlorophylls from the extracts containing the PAHs. The average recovery of the 16 regulated PAHs was 70, 74, 79 and 89%, respectively, for naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene and chrysene and higher than 94% for the others.

Electrophoretic behavior of a highly water-soluble dendro[60]fullerene.

The aim of the present study was to develop an analytical method for measuring amounts of a dendro[60]fullerene (DF) which is a highly water-soluble [60]fullerene derivative. We tried to define a straightforward methodology using capillary zone electrophoresis, a method which, to our knowledge, has not yet been used to that purpose. Preliminary assays showed that DF has almost the same mobility than the electroosmotic flow (EOF) but in the opposite direction. Attempts were carried out to reduce the EOF and positive results were obtained by adding hydroxypropylcellulose to the background electrolyte. In order to define optimal operating conditions, a Taguchi experimental plan was used to study simultaneously the effects of the main parameters that are pH, ionic strength, methanol amount and hydroxypropylcellulose concentration. Two parameters are of the utmost importance as to their effect on the migration time and separation efficiecy: pH and ionic strength whose actions are opposite.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant and neurotoxic properties of substituted N-phenyl derivatives of the phthalimide pharmacophore.

A series of compounds including 4-amino (1), 3-amino (2), 4-nitro (3), 2-methyl-3-amino (4), 2-methyl-3-nitro (5), 2-methyl-4-amino (6), 2-methyl-4-nitro (7), 2-methyl-5-amino (8), 2-methyl-5-nitro (9), 2-methyl-6-amino (10), 2-methyl-6-nitro (11), 2,6-dimethyl (12), 2-methyl-3-carboxy (13), 2-methoxycarbonyl (14), 2-methyl-4-methoxy (15), 2,4-dimethoxy (16), 2-chloro-4-amino (17), and 2-chloro-4-nitro (18) N-phenyl substituents of phthalimide were evaluated along with N-[3-methyl-(2-pyridinyl)]phthalimide (19), N-(3-amino-2-methylphenyl)succinimide (20), and phenytoin for anticonvulsant and neurotoxic properties. Initial screening in the intraperitoneal (ip) maximal electroshock-induced seizure (MES) test and the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure (scPtz) test in mice led to the selection of 1, 2, 4, 10, 12, 17, and 19 for oral MES evaluation in rats. The resultant ED(50) values for 4, 10, 17, and phenytoin were 8.0, 28.3, 5.7 and 29.8 mg/kg, respectively. In the batrachotoxin affinity assay, IC(50) values for 17 and phenytoin were 0.15 and 0.93 microM, respectively, and in the recently validated magnesium deficiency-dependent audiogenic seizure test, ED(50) values of 5.2 and 23 mg/kg were obtained for 17 and phenytoin, respectively. Electrophysiology studies on compound 17 point out its ability to (i) potentiate GABA-evoked current responses with a failure to directly activate the GABAA receptor and (ii) to affect, at 100 microM excitatory non NMDA, but not NMDA, receptors with a 25% block of kainate-evoked response. Electrophysiology measurements on voltage-gated sodium channels in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells confirm voltage-dependent block of these channels by compound 17. In view of its interaction with multiple ion channels, one would predict that compound 17 might be active in a wide range of seizure models.

Measurement of the three phases of muricidal behavior induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in isolated, fasting rats.

Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has long been recognized as inducing mouse-killing behavior (muricidal behavior) in starving, isolated rats after a single injection. We showed that when the killing tendency was increased by THC, a preliminary contact with a mouse decreased the probability of muricidal behavior. By quantifying the three phases of the muricidal behavior in either nonkiller or naive THC-treated rats, we showed that the duration of each step was notably increased as compared to untreated natural killer rats, mainly the attack on the dead mouse, indicating increased aggressiveness. Finally, no significant changes were observed in the duration of the three phases in natural killer rats when the muricide assays were repeated every hour. In contrast, in THC-treated rats--either naive or nonkiller--all three phases decreased with the assay repetition to levels comparable to those of natural killer rats, suggesting that the killer behavior was progressively acquired for the six assays. These changes could be a useful model to study the central effects of THC and either its agonists or antagonists.

Reversible model of magnesium depletion induced by systemic kainic acid injection in magnesium-deficient rats: I--Comparative study of various magnesium salts.

We developed three models of reversible magnesium depletion in rats resulting from the combined effects of kainic (KA) acid with magnesium deficiency, in order to compare the effects of various common magnesium salts (pidolate, aspartate, lactate, gluconate and chloride) and of magnesium acetyl taurinate (MgATa), administered daily (14 mg Mg2+, PO) for ten days. First, the immediate effects (wet dog shakes, clonic convulsions and death 1 h after injection) and late effects (fall from hole board between the second and tenth days post injection) of kainic acid at three different doses (3.6 and 11 mg/kg) were studied in magnesium deficient rats (50 ppm for 40 days) and in non-deficient rats (1700 ppm). The results showed that the effects of kainic acid were enhanced in magnesium deficient rats. Secondly, after ten days of physiological then pharmacological doses of magnesium, used as chronical supplementation, we showed that kainic acid administration combined with magnesium deficiency led to magnesium depletion of increasing severity depending on the dose of kainic acid. The observed magnesium depletions were weak at a dose of 3 mg/kg KA, moderate at a dose of 6 mg/kg and severe at a dose of 11 mg/kg. These depletions were more or less reversible, and this enabled the classification of the therapeutic effects of these salts on Mg depletion. Among common salts, magnesium pidolate presented the greatest efficacy but none of them fully prevented depletion. In contrast, MgATa was efficient on all the aspects of depletion, when administered preventively both chronically or acutely or as a single curative injection. Consequently the results we obtained in the present study, on a new model of magnesium depletion, showed the greatest efficacy of magnesium acetyl taurinate we demonstrated yet on other models of reversible magnesium depletion.

Inhibition of mouse-killing behaviour in magnesium-deficient rats: effect of pharmacological doses of magnesium pidolate, magnesium aspartate, magnesium lactate, magnesium gluconate and magnesium chloride.

Magnesium deprivation induced interspecific aggressive behaviour (muricidal behaviour) in rats undoubtedly attributable to magnesium deficiency since magnesium chloride, by correcting magnesium deficiency, suppressed it. Inhibition of magnesium deficiency-induced behaviour by various magnesium salts should enable the classification of the therapeutic effects of these salts. Consequently we compared the effects of various magnesium salts used therapeutically on the inhibition of the acute muricidal behaviour induced by magnesium deficiency. All the magnesium salts used (chloride, pidolate, aspartate, gluconate, lactate) suppressed the muricidal behaviour. There was no significant difference in the duration of the treatment needed to inhibit this comportment for each of the salts studied. In contrast, significant differences appeared, concerning the different phases of muricidal behaviour. Magnesium pidolate significantly increased the attack latency (P < 0.05). By repeating the muricidal assays, we showed that magnesium pidolate treated rats had a muricidal behaviour rate which was lower than that of the other magnesium salt-treated rat groups. Consequently, it can be assumed that all the magnesium salts used had an acute anti-muricidal, perhaps anti-stress, effect and that magnesium pidolate presented, on this experimental model the greatest efficacy.

Effect of various serotoninergically induced manipulations on audiogenic seizures in magnesium-deficient mice.

The aim of our study was to analyse the possible implication of the serotoninergic system in the pathophysiology and the lethality of audiogenic seizures induced by magnesium deficiency, either by decreasing cerebral serotonin (5-HT) levels (p-chlorophenylalanine) or by increasing 5-HT levels in the brain (5-hydroxytryptophan, L-tryptophan, nialamide, fluoxetine). In magnesium-deficient mice, the percentages of audiogenic seizures and of fatal seizures were dependent on the time lapse between the p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) injection and the audiogenic test. The percentage was at least 24 h after the injection: in OF1 and C57BL/6 strains, PCPA fully protected the mice from seizure occurrence, whereas it only partially protected the animals of the other strains. 5-Hydroxytryptophan caused a decrease in the audiogenic seizures in magnesium-deficient OF1 mice as well as in control DBA/2 mice. In contrast L-tryptophan did not reduce the number of wild courses or of clonic and tonic seizures in either the magnesium-deficient OF1 strain or control DBA/2 mice. Nialamide and fluoxetine were only effective in decreasing the numbers of clonic and tonic convulsions of the audiogenic seizure without affecting the wild courses. The combination of nialamide and tryptophan caused a cessation of the audiogenic seizure phases in both magnesium-deficient OF1 and control DBA/2 mice. In contrast, the fluoxetine-tryptophan combination did not have the same effect on magnesium-deficient and non-magnesium-deficient mice. This work showed that the serotoninergic system plays a secondary role in the pathophysiology of audiogenic seizures in magnesium-deficient mice rather than in that of genetically audiosusceptible mice.

Audiogenic seizures in magnesium-deficient mice: effects of magnesium pyrrolidone-2-carboxylate, magnesium acetyltaurinate, magnesium chloride and vitamin B-6.

Magnesium deficiency in mice causes and increases audiogenic seizures. This effect was reversed by oral administration of magnesium acetyltaurinate (ATaMg), magnesium pyrrolidone-2-carboxylate (PCMH), MgCl2. When treatment was discontinued, audiogenic seizures recurred only in the groups treated with PCMH or MgCl2. Following intraperitoneal administration of AtaMg, the mice were protected against audiogenic seizures after 4 h and this protection persisted for up to 72 h after the treatment. With the other magnesium salts (PCMH and MgCl2) maximum protection occurred by 6 h after the injection, but after that time the number of seizures increased sharply. Intraperitoneal taurine alone only reduced the severity of the audiogenic seizures. The length of treatment needed to inhibit audiogenic seizures was reduced by treatment with a combination of vitamin B-6 (a magnesium fixing agent) and PCMH or MgCl2. However this combination of vitamin B-6 and magnesium salts did not prevent the recurrence of audiogenic seizures, which was only achieved by ATaMg. The results suggest that audiogenic seizures in magnesium-deficient mice form a model of magnesium depletion. This depletion is completely inhibited by the combination of an inhibitory neurotransmitter (taurine) and magnesium, in the form of magnesium acetyltaurinate.