Investigation of acute, subacute and subchronic toxicities of anthocyanin derived acylation reaction products and evaluation of their antioxidant activities in vitro.

Previously, anthocyanins were successfully acylated with lauric acid using Novozym 435 lipase, and the corresponding products were confirmed to have higher stability. As novel synthetic compounds, their toxicological safety has not been evaluated. Therefore, acute, subacute and subchronic toxicities of anthocyanin-lauric acid derivatives (ALDs) were investigated while their antioxidant activities were also evaluated in vitro. The acute toxicity results showed that the 50% lethal dose (LD50) of ALDs in mice was >10 g kg-1. Subsequently, the subacute toxicity test was conducted by oral administration of ALDs at doses of 0.63, 1.25 and 2.50 g kg-1 for 28 days. No adverse effect of ALDs on body weight, food/water intake, organ coefficient and histology was observed. Though there were some fluctuations in AST and ALT, the tested biochemical parameters were maintained within the normal ranges. The subchronic toxicity test results demonstrated that less than 0.60 g of ALDs per kg BW intake did not affect mortality, body weight, food/water intake, gross pathology, histology, hematology and serum biochemistry. Furthermore, cyanidin-3-(6''-dodecanoyl)-glucoside, the main component of ALDs, had a beneficial reducing power and a strong DPPH˙, ABTS+˙, and O2-˙ scavenging activity. This study provides an imperative reference to the safety of ALDs, suggesting their application as novel colorants or antioxidants in food and therapeutics.

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane potential are involved in the cytotoxicity of perfluorododecanoic acid to neurons.

Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), used in numerous commercial products, was recently demonstrated to accumulate in the brain more easily than other perfluorinated compounds and to cause cognitive deficits. In this study, pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells were exposed to doses of PFDoA to explore the cytotoxicity of this compound to neurons. The results showed that treatment with PFDoA decreased PC12 cell viability dose-dependently. Treatment with 50 and 100 µM PFDoA significantly increased reactive oxygen species (p < 0.01) and malondialdehyde (p < 0.01) and decreased total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) in PC12 cells. The administration of 50 and 100 µM PFDoA led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) in PC12 cells. The activity of caspase 3 was obviously increased (p < 0.05) in 100 µM PFDoA-treated PC12 cells. In general, the results demonstrated that PFDoA exposure could result in the disruption of MMP, which may contribute to the increase of oxidative stress and activation of the apoptotic signaling cascade in PC12 cells.

Comparative study of different forms of Jellein antimicrobial peptide on Leishmania parasite.

Typically, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short positive charged peptides serving a key role in innate immunity as well as antimicrobial activity. Discovering novel therapeutic agents is considered as an undeniable demand due to increasing microbial species with antibiotic resistance. In this direction, the unique ability of AMPs to modulate immune responses highlighted them as novel drug candidates in the field of microbiology. Patients affected by leishmaniasis; a neglected tropical disease, confront serious problems for their treatment including resistance to common drugs as well as toxicity and high cost of therapy. So, there is a need for development of new drug candidates to control the diseases. Jellein, a peptide derived from royal jelly of honeybee has been shown to have promising effect against several bacterial and fungal species. In current study, anti-leishmanial effect of Jellein and its lauric acid conjugated form was investigated against two forms of Leishmania major (L. major) parasite. Moreover, cytotoxic effect of these peptides was studied in THP1 cell line and human Red Blood Cells (RBCs). Furthermore, the mechanism of action of peptides on L. major promastigotes was assessed through different methods. The results demonstrated that, conjugation of lauric acid to Jellein not only had no effect on the elevation of antimicrobial activity but also halted it completely. Moreover, Jellein caused a limitation in the number of L. major promastigotes by pore formation as well as changing the membrane potential rather than induction of apoptosis or activation of caspases.

Sex difference in urocortin production is contributory to the gender disparity in a rat model of vasculitis induced by sodium laurate.

Cardiovascular diseases, the most common leading death diseases, occur more in men than women of the same ages. Increasing evidence shows that urocortin (Ucn1), an autocrine or paracrine pro-inflammatory factor, can be regulated by sex hormones. The purpose of the study is to investigate the role of Ucn1 in gender disparity in a sodium laurate-induced vasculitis model. Rats exhibited visible signs of vasculitis on the 14th day after sodium laurate injection. Inflammatory states of the rat femoral artery were observed by histological examination. Significant gender disparity, with the symptoms much grosser in males than females, was seen. In males, the serum levels of Ucn1, prostaglandin estradiol, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and the expressions of Ucn1, cyclooxygenase-2, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in femoral artery were higher than those in females. Orchidectomy significantly ameliorated the symptoms of vasculitis accompanied with a decrease in the plasma Ucn1 level. However, estradiol supplement after orchidectomy failed to improve the inflammatory states further. In females, ovariectomy and/or dihydrotestosterone supplement significantly increased Ucn1 level and exacerbated symptoms of vasculitis. Furthermore, ip administration of rabbit antiserum to Ucn1 almost abolished the gender differences in vasculitis. These results demonstrated that vasculitis of this model is androgen-responsive and hormonal manipulation by surgical orchidectomy could substantially attenuate the symptoms of vasculitis. Moreover, Ucn1 is a contributory factor to the gender disparity in vasculitis and dihydrotestosterone-promoted Ucn1 secretion exacerbated the development of vasculitis.

Phosphoproteome analysis reveals an important role for glycogen synthase kinase-3 in perfluorododecanoic acid-induced rat liver toxicity.

Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) is a member of the perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) family and has broad applications and a wide distribution in the environment. Here, we used TiO(2)-based phosphopeptide enrichment coupled with LC-MS/MS analysis to identify phosphopeptides in rat livers that were influenced by PFDoA treatment. We identified a total of 1443 unique phosphopeptides from among 769 phosphoproteins identified in normal and PFDoA-treated rat livers, 849 unique phosphorylation sites were also identified. Of these sites, 143 were considered to be novel phosphorylation sites. Many phosphoproteins were found to be associated with hepatic injuries and diseases, such as hepatotoxicity, regeneration, fatty liver, neoplasms and carcinoma. Furthermore, 25 of the identified phosphoproteins were found to be related to glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), either directly or indirectly. Western blot and qPCR results suggested that chronic PFDoA exposure inhibited insulin signal pathways and that inhibition of GSK3 might contribute to the observed increases of lipid levels in the liver.

Effective inhibition of acid and neutral ceramidases by novel B-13 and LCL-464 analogues.

Induction of apoptosis mediated by the inhibition of ceramidases has been shown to enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy in several cancer models. Among the inhibitors of ceramidases reported in the literature, B-13 is considered as a lead compound having good in vitro potency towards acid ceramidase. Furthermore, owing to the poor activity of B-13 on lysosoamal acid ceramidase in living cells, LCL-464 a modified derivative of B-13 containing a basic ω-amino group at the fatty acid was reported to have higher potency towards lysosomal acid ceramidase in living cells. In a search for more potent inhibitors of ceramidases, we have designed a series of compounds with structural modifications of B-13 and LCL-464. In this study, we show that the efficacy of B-13 in vitro as well as in intact cells can be enhanced by suitable modification of functional groups. Furthermore, a detailed SAR investigation on LCL-464 analogues revealed novel promising inhibitors of aCDase and nCDase. In cell culture studies using the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, some of the newly developed compounds elevated endogenous ceramide levels and in parallel, also induced apoptotic cell death. In summary, this study shows that structural modification of the known ceramidase inhibitors B-13 and LCL-464 generates more potent ceramidase inhibitors that are active in intact cells and not only elevates the cellular ceramide levels, but also enhances cell death.

Perfluorododecanoic acid-induced steroidogenic inhibition is associated with steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and reactive oxygen species in cAMP-stimulated Leydig cells.

Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) can be detected in environmental matrices and human serum and has been shown to inhibit testicular steroidogenesis in rats. However, the mechanisms that are responsible for the toxic effects of PFDoA remain unknown. The aims of this study were to investigate the mechanism of steroidogenesis inhibition by PFDoA and to identify the molecular target of PFDoA in Leydig cells. The effects of PFDoA on steroid synthesis in Leydig cells were assessed by radioimmunoassay. The expression of key genes and proteins in steroid biosynthesis was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) levels were determined using bioluminescence assays. PFDoA inhibited adenosine 3',5'-cyclophosphate (cAMP)-stimulated steroidogenesis in mouse Leydig tumor cells (mLTC-1) and primary rat Leydig cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, PFDoA (1-100 microM) did not exhibit effects on cell viability and cellular ATP levels in mLTC-1 cells. PFDoA inhibited steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) promoter activity and StAR expression at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels but did not affect mRNA levels of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, or 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in cAMP-stimulated mLTC-1 cells. PFDoA treatment also resulted in increased levels of mitochondrial ROS and H(2)O(2). After excessive ROS and H(2)O(2) were eliminated in PFDoA-treated mLTC-1 cells by MnTMPyP (a superoxide dismutase analog), progesterone production was partially restored and StAR mRNA and protein levels were partially recovered. These data show that PFDoA inhibits steroidogenesis in cAMP-stimulated Leydig cells by reducing the expression of StAR through a model of action involving oxidative stress.

Proteomic analysis for testis of rats chronically exposed to perfluorododecanoic acid.

Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), a ubiquitous contaminant detected in environmental matrices, wildlife, and human blood, has been shown to produce adverse effects on male reproduction in rats. The mechanism of action of PFDoA in testis, however, is not well understood. In the present study, male rats were orally exposed to PFDoA (0.02, 0.2, and 0.5mg/kg/day for 110 days), and a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) approach was employed to investigate the alteration of protein expression in the testes. Decreased serum progesterone levels were observed. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) tandem time of flight (TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry analysis allowed the unambiguous identification of 40 differentially expressed proteins. These proteins are mainly involved in mitochondrial respiration, oxidative stress, sperm activity, cytoskeleton and intracellular signal transduction. Furthermore, PFDoA led to decreases in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), mitochondrial H-ATPase, and cytochrome c oxidase as well as to an increase in lipid peroxidation in testes. Our results indicated that these proteins, which are involved in mitochondrial respiratory and antioxidative responses, play important roles in the inhibition of testicular steriodogenesis in response to PFDoA. Our data demonstrate that alterations of multiple pathways may be associated with the toxic effects of PFDoA on testes. SOD and H-ATPase subunit d may be sensitive to PFDoA exposure in testis.

Amino acids suppress apoptosis induced by sodium laurate, an absorption enhancer.

The formulation containing sodium laurate (C12), an absorption enhancer, and several amino acids such as taurine (Tau) and L-glutamine (L-Gln) is a promising preparation that can safely improve the intestinal absorption of poorly absorbable drugs. The safety for intestinal mucosa is achieved because the amino acids prevent C12 from causing mucosal damages via several mechanisms. In the present study, the possible involvement of apoptosis, programmed cell death, in mucosal damages caused by C12 and cytoprotection by amino acids was examined. C12 induced DNA fragmentation, a typical phenomenon of apoptosis, in rat large-intestinal epithelial cells while the addition of amino acids significantly attenuated it. C12 alone significantly increased the release of cytochrome C, an apoptosis-inducing factor, from mitochondria, which could be via the decrease in the level of Bcl-2, an inhibiting factor of cytochrome C release. The enhancement of cytochrome C release by C12 led to the activation of caspase 9, an initiator enzyme, and the subsequent activation of caspase 3, an effector enzyme. On the other hand, Tau or L-Gln significantly suppressed the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria and attenuated the activities of both caspases, which could be attributed to the maintenance of Bcl-2 expression.

The effect of perfluorododecanonic acid on endocrine status, sex hormones and expression of steroidogenic genes in pubertal female rats.

Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), one of a number of commercially important perfluoroalkyl acids, has been detected in sera from humans and other animals; however, the effects of PFDoA on female reproduction remain unclear. To assess the impact of PFDoA on puberty and endocrine status, we exposed weaned pre-pubertal female rats to PFDoA, administered orally at doses of 0, 0.5, 1.5 and 3mg/kg-d for 28 days, and measured body weight, reproductive organ weight and morphology, pubertal indicators, endocrine hormones, total serum cholesterol levels and steroidogenic enzyme gene expression. At 3mg/kg-d, PFDoA significantly decreased body weight and serum estradiol levels, increased cholesterol levels (p<0.05), and altered ovarian expression of genes responsible for cholesterol transport and steroidogenesis, including steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme and 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (p<0.05). PFDoA at the highest dose also reduced estrogen receptor alpha and beta expression levels in the ovary (p<0.05), whereas a lower concentration of PFDoA (0.5mg/kg-d) decreased estrogen receptor beta mRNA levels in the uterus (p<0.05). PFDoA treatment did not affect serum follicle-stimulating hormone or luteinizing hormone (LH) levels at any concentration, although PFDoA at 3mg/kg-d reduced LH receptor mRNA levels. There were no marked changes in sexual organ weight, age and weight at vaginal opening or first estrous cycle, or ovarian/uterine histology at any PFDoA concentration. These data show that PFDoA does not affect the endocrine status of pubertal rats, but at higher doses it does impact estradiol production and the expression of some key genes responsible for estrogen synthesis.

Induction of time-dependent oxidative stress and related transcriptional effects of perfluorododecanoic acid in zebrafish liver.

The effects of acute perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) exposure on the induction of oxidative stress and alteration of mitochondrial gene expression were studied in the livers of female zebrafish (Danio rerio). Female zebrafish were exposed to PFDoA via a single intraperitoneal injection (0, 20, 40, or 80 microg PFDoA/g body weight) and were then sacrificed 48 h, 96 h, or seven days post-PFDoA administration. PFDoA-treated fish exhibited histopathological liver damage, including swollen hepatocytes, vacuolar degeneration, and nuclei pycnosis. Glutathione (GSH) content and catalase (CAT) activity decreased significantly at 48 h post-injection while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was initially decreased at 48 h post-injection but was then elevated by seven days post-injection. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased at 48 h and seven days compared to control fish, although the increased level at seven days post-injection was decreased compared to the level at 48 h post-injection. Lipid peroxidation levels were increased at seven days post-injection, while no apparent induction was observed at 48 h or 96 h post-injection. The mRNA expression of medium-chain fatty acid dehydrogenase (MCAD) was induced, while the transcriptional expression of liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), peroxisome proliferating activating receptor alpha (PPARalpha), carnitine palmitoyl-transferase I (CPT-I), uncoupling protein 2 (UCP-2), and Bcl-2 were significantly inhibited. Furthermore, the transcriptional expression of peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (ACOX), very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD), long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCAD) did not exhibit significant changes following PFDoA treatment. No significant changes were noted in the transcriptional expression of genes involved in mitochondrial respiratory chain and ATP synthesis, including cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI), NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (NDI), and ATP synthase F0 subunit 6 (ATPo6). These results demonstrate that turbulence of fatty acid beta-oxidation and oxidative stress responses were involved in the PFDoA-induced hepatotoxicity.

Alterations in gene expression and testosterone synthesis in the testes of male rats exposed to perfluorododecanoic acid.

Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA, C12), a synthetic perfluorinated chemical containing 12 carbons, has broad industrial applications and has been detected in sera from humans and other animals; however, few reports have addressed the effects of PFDoA exposure on male reproduction. In the present study, the effects of PFDoA exposure on testes ultrastructure, testosterone levels, and steroidogenic gene expression were investigated. Male rats were orally dosed for 14 days with 1, 5, or 10 mg PFDoA/kg/day or with vehicle. Absolute testis weight was diminished at the highest dose while relative testes weight was markedly increased at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg/day. Total serum cholesterol levels were significantly increased at the highest dose. While luteinizing hormone was significantly decreased at the highest dose, testosterone was markedly decreased at doses of 5 and 10 mg PFDoA/kg/day. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone were not significantly affected by PFDoA, and estradiol levels were markedly decreased only at 5 mg/kg/day. Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and spermatogenic cells from rats that received 5 or 10 mg PFDoA/kg/day, exhibited apoptotic features including dense irregular nuclei, condensed chromatin, ill-defined nuclear membranes, and abnormal mitochondria. PFDoA exposure resulted in significant declines in mRNA expression of several genes involved in cholesterol transport and steroid biosynthesis at doses of 5 and 10 mg PFDoA/kg/day, while the gene expression of luteinizing hormone receptor and aromatase was not significantly changed. Our results demonstrate that PFDoA affects the reproduction function of male rats via alterations in steroidogenesis genes, testosterone levels, and testes ultrastructure.

Cytotoxic compounds of Schizolaena hystrix from the Madagascar rainforest.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of a crude ethanol extract from a Madagascar collection of Schizolaena hystrix afforded the two new long-chain compounds, 3 S-acetoxyeicosanoic acid ethyl ester ( 1) and 3 S-acetoxydoeicosanoic acid ( 2), and the known long-chain compound 3 S-acetoxyeicosanoic acid ( 3). In addition, the long-chain alcohol 1-hydroxydodecan-2-one ( 7), as well as the new flavonoid schizolaenone C ( 4) and the two known flavonoids diplacol ( 5) and 3'-prenylnaringenin ( 6) were isolated from a methanol extract of the same plant. Isolation and structure elucidation of the novel compounds and the cytotoxicities of all the isolates are reported.

Safety and efficiency of modulating paracellular permeability to enhance airway epithelial gene transfer in vivo.

We evaluated the safety of agents that enhance gene transfer by modulating paracellular permeability. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cytokine release were measured in polarized primary human airway epithelial (HAE) cells after lumenal application of vehicle, ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), sodium caprate (C10), or sodium laurate (C12). Lung toxicity was assessed after tracheobronchial instillation to murine airways and the relative ability of these agents to enhance in vivo adenoviral gene transfer was evaluated. Lumenal C12 increased LDH release in vitro, but C10 and EGTA did not. Increased levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8) were secreted from EGTA-pretreated cystic fibrosis HAE cells after apical application of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10(8) CFU/ml), whereas IL-8 secretion from C10- and C12-pretreated cells was not different from controls. In vivo toxicity studies demonstrated no effect of EGTA, C10, or C12 on weight gain, lung edema, or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) albumin. EGTA increased BALF cell counts, neutrophils, and murine (m) macrophage inflammatory protein 2, mKC, mIL-6, and mIL-1 beta levels. C10 had no effect on BALF cell counts or LDH, but increased murine tumor necrosis factor alpha. C12 increased BALF LDH, neutrophils, and mIL-6 levels. Histopathological analysis revealed mild focal lung inflammation more frequently in the EGTA, C10, and C12 groups than in vehicle controls, with greater intensity in the C12 group relative to the other groups. C10 and C12 also increased airway responsiveness to methacholine challenge compared with control and EGTA groups. Adenoviral gene transfer to murine trachea in vivo was enhanced more efficiently by C10 than by C12 or EGTA. Thus, the different toxicities may permit the selection of agents that enhance gene transfer with minimal adverse effects.

Mechanisms of cytoprotective effect of amino acids on local toxicity caused by sodium laurate, a drug absorption enhancer, in intestinal epithelium.

Several amino acids, including L-glutamine (L-Gln), were found to protect the intestinal epithelial cells from the local toxicity caused by a drug absorption enhancer, sodium laurate (C12), in our previous study. To develop more efficient and safer formulations for enhancing drug absorption, the mechanisms of cytoprotection by amino acids were studied using rats and Caco-2 cells. Four amino acids, including L-Gln, could generally maintain the absorption-promoting action of C12, although taurine tended to attenuate it. Three amino acids, except for L-Gln, significantly suppressed the decrease in the transepithelial electrical resistance caused by C12. Quercetin, an inhibitor for biosynthesis of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), masked only the protective effect of L-Gln in both rat large intestine and Caco-2 cells. Western blot analysis indicated clearly that HSP70 is induced extensively only by the addition of L-Gln in both rat large-intestinal cells and Caco-2 cells. C12 was found to increase the intracellular concentration of Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) remarkably, and amino acids, especially L-arginine, L-methionine, and taurine, significantly attenuated the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) caused by C12. Furthermore, although C12 stimulated the release of histamine, an inflammatory mediator, from rat large-intestinal tissue, amino acids were also found to suppress the release of histamine enhanced by C12. The results in the present study showed that an induction of HSP70, a decrease in [Ca(2+)](i) elevated by C12, and a suppression of histamine release stimulated by C12 should be involved in the mechanisms behind the cytoprotective action of amino acids against the local toxicity caused by C12.

Evidence that photodynamic stress kills Zellweger fibroblasts by a nonapoptotic mechanism.

Zellweger fibroblasts, which are devoid of peroxisomes and fail to synthesize plasmalogens, are very sensitive to the killing effect triggered by UV-activated 12-(1-pyrene) dodecanoic acid (P12). Although in some studied performed, it is assumed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may damage plasma membrane causing necrosis, other studies suggest that ROS are involved in apoptotic cell death induced by a wide variety of stimuli. Analysing the P12 dose-response in Zellweger fibroblasts, we observed that at high doses (1-2 microM), more than 75% of the cells died after 24 h. This behaviour suggested that, at high doses, P12 kills the cells by unspecific lytic mechanisms or by necrosis, while at low doses (0.1-0.5 microM), an apoptotic mechanism could be involved. Cytofluorimetric analysis of Zellweger fibroblasts-treated with activated P12 (0.5 microM) did not show morphological modifications typical of apoptotic cell death. This was supported by comparative staining of fibroblast nuclei, DNA gel electrophoresis and identification of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and Bcl-2 expression, assayed by Western blots. Thus, our results, while confirming the importance of plasmalogens in the protection against ROS, establish that apoptosis is not involved in photodynamic death induced by activated P12. Therefore, we can expect that in gene transfer experiments, the rescue of Zellweger cells will be dependent only on the correction of peroxisomal biogenesis.

Evaluation of a nitroxyl fatty acid as liver contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging.

In this study, we report the synthesis and the evaluation as MRI contrast agent of a new compound (nitroxyl fatty acid, NFA), where a pyrrolidinoxyl radical (3-carboxy-proxyl, PCA) is linked to a fatty acid moiety. Fatty acids were selected as vector because they present a high affinity for the liver, their efficient cellular uptake being the result of a specific interaction with a transmembrane transporter (liver plasma membrane-fatty acid binding protein). The uptake of 3H-oleic acid is inhibited after the injection of 1 mmol/kg of NFA, suggesting that NFA recognizes the same transmembrane transporter as the natural fatty acids. The higher relaxivity R1 of NFA in albumin solutions, compared with PCA, was explained by the immobilization of the nitroxyl radical in the protein. MR imaging was performed using T1-weighted images on mice in order to compare the contrast effect obtained after the injection of 1 mmol/kg of radical. The % signal enhancement in the liver 5 min after intravenous injection was 49 +/- 4 and 14 +/- 5 for NFA and PCA, respectively. NFA allowed a better delimitation of some necrotic tumors (Novikoff hepatocarcinoma) due to its preferential uptake by the nontumorous tissue.

Photosensitization of human bladder carcinoma cells by pyrene-dodecanoic acid: quantitative analysis of the cytotoxicity.

The effects of photochemotherapy with the fluorescent fatty acid pyrenedodecanoic acid (P12) and long-wavelength ultraviolet (UVA) light on cells derived from human bladder carcinoma were studied. Exposure of these anchorage-dependent cells to P12 either in monolayers of adherent cells or in suspension resulted in a time-related uptake of P12 and its incorporation into the cells' neutral and phospholipids. The uptake and localization of P12 was visualized with fluorescence microscopy and the distribution of the cell population with respect to P12 uptake was analyzed by flow cytometry. Irradiation of P12-containing monolayers of bladder carcinoma cells with UVA light resulted in cell killing. But, on microscopic examination no apparent cell lysis was detected, and since digestion with trypsin did not result in the dispersion of the monolayers it was impossible to assess toxicity by cell count. Alternative procedures were therefore used, and the following cell parameters were determined: (a) cellular uptake or release of chromate; (b) ability of cells to re-adhere to the substratum; and (c) the long-range proliferation potential. The combined inhibitory effect of photoirradiation on cell adherence and on their proliferative potential was utilized for determining reductions of up to 7 log in cell viability. The results obtained with five independently established in vitro bladder carcinoma cell lines indicated that these cells are susceptible to P12-induced photosensitization, suggesting that bladder malignancies might be potential candidates for pyrene-induced photochemotherapy.

Skin irritancy of surfactants as assessed by water vapor loss measurements.

A method to assess the irritancy of chemicals on human skin that is based on measurements of skin (water) vapor loss (SVL) is presented. The SVL measurements were performed with the Servo Med Evaporimeter in a group of 27 healthy volunteers. Four surfactants, distilled water, and NaCl 0.9% in distilled water were assayed. For the exposures a chamber technique was used. Sodium lauryl sulfate and cocobetaine most markedly influenced the loss of water through the skin. Polysorbate-60 and sodium laurate had less effect on SVL. The mean difference between the test substances were found statistically significant, except for the mean difference between sodium laurate and polysorbate-60 (p greater than 0.1) and between polysorbate-60 and distilled water (p greater than 0.05). The reactions of the tested subjects to the surfactants suggest that each individual has his own pattern of susceptibility to these substances. The mean values of the SVL measurements were compared with the macroscopically perceptible morphologic changes of the exposed test sites. The results of the SVL measurements. The correlation coefficient between the mean values of both methods was found to be high (r = 0.98).

Toxicological studies of a leachable stabilizer di-n-butyltin dilaurate(DBTL): effects on hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme activities.

Toxicological studies of a leachable stabilizer Di-n-butyltin dilaurate (DBTL) were undertaken. Effects of DBTL after 15 days oral exposure to rats were studied on brain and liver enzyme activities. A significant decrease in body weight gain of DBTL exposed rats were observed. No effect was observed in the activities of brain enzymes, succinic dehydrogenase, adenosine triphosphatase, acetylcholine esterase and monoamine oxidase. In liver, DBTL treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the activities of microsomal enzymes glucose-6-phosphatase, aminopyrine-N-demethylase, benzphetamine-N-demethylase, aniline hydroxylase, benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase and also on cytochrome P-450 content, whereas no difference in the activities of mitochondrial enzymes, succinic dehydrogenase, Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase as well as in the activity of lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase was observed. Duration of exposure dependent increase in pentabarbital induced sleeping time was also observed. DBTL treatment produced an induction in heme oxygenase activity whereas the activity of -aminolevulinic acid synthetase remained unaltered. The results demonstrate that DBTL significantly affects the biotransformation mechanism and heme metabolism of hepatocytes.