Comparison of the effect of dietary copper nanoparticles and one copper (II) salt on the metabolic and immune status in a rat model.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a diet containing different levels of Cu in two different chemical forms (carbonate and nanoparticles) on metabolic, immune and antioxidant status in a rat model. Five experimental treatments (8 rats in each) were used to test different dosages of Cu added to the diet (standard -6.5 mg/kg, half the standard dosage -3.25 mg/kg, and no added Cu as a negative control) and two sources of added copper (standard -CuCO3 and copper nanoparticles -CuNPs). Blood and urine samples were collected from all the animals after four weeks of treatment. Metabolic and immune parameters were determined in blood and urine samples. The study has shown that a dietary Cu deficiency (negative control) decreases rat's plasma levels of Cu, Fe, CREAT, BIL and IL-6, whereas reducing the level of Cu from the recommended 6.5 mg/kg to 3.25 mg/kg decreases only the plasma concentration of TG, IgE and IL-6. Replacing CuCO3 with CuNPs in rat diets affects their metabolism, as indicated by decreased Ca, CREAT, BIL, ALB and IL-6 plasma levels. To sum up, CuNP added to a diet of rats have a more beneficial effect on metabolic indices (indicative of kidney and liver function) and inhibit inflammatory processes more effectively than CuCO3.

An unnatural biopolymer.

A highly efficient method has been developed for the solid-phase synthesis of an "unnatural biopolymer" consisting of chiral aminocarbonate monomers linked via a carbamate backbone. Oligocarbamates were synthesized from N-protected p-nitrophenyl carbonate monomers, substituted with a variety of side chains, with greater than 99 percent overall coupling efficiencies per step. A spatially defined library of oligocarbamates was generated by using photochemical methods and screened for binding affinity to a monoclonal antibody. A number of high-affinity ligands were then synthesized and analyzed in solution with respect to their inhibition concentration values, water/octanol partitioning coefficients, and proteolytic stability. These and other unnatural polymers may provide new frameworks for drug development and for testing theories of protein and peptide folding and structure.

[Acute toxicity of l-naphthyl chlorocarbonate and o-isopropoxynitrobenzene]. / Ostra toksychnosc chloromrówczanu 4-naftylu i o-izopropoksynitrobenzenu.

The investigated compounds given orally to male rats induced pathological changes mainly in the liver. 1-naphthyl chlorocarbonate caused also necrosis of the stomach mucosa. DL50 of o-isopropoxynitrobenzene and 1-naphthyl chlorocarbonate established for male rats after per os administration amounted to 2,75 g/kg and 2,55 g/kg, respectively. Both substances have local irritant effect on the skin and the eye of rabbit--a mild reaction in case of o-isopropoxynitrobenzene and strong one in case of 1-naphthyl chlorocarbonate administration. 1-naphthyl chlorocarbonate has sensitizing properties, while the other compound has not.