Certification of standard reference materials containing bitter orange.

A suite of three dietary supplement standard reference materials (SRMs) containing bitter orange has been developed, and the levels of five alkaloids and caffeine have been measured by multiple analytical methods. Synephrine, octopamine, tyramine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine, total alkaloids, and caffeine were determined by as many as six analytical methods, with measurements performed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and at two collaborating laboratories. The methods offer substantial independence, with two types of extractions, two separation methods, and four detection methods. Excellent agreement was obtained among the measurements, with data reproducibility for most methods and analytes better than 5% relative standard deviation. The bitter-orange-containing dietary supplement SRMs are intended primarily for use as measurement controls and for use in the development and validation of analytical methods.

Minimal behavioral effects from moderate postnatal lead treatment in rats.

Developmental lead exposure continues to be a worldwide problem. This study investigated the behavioral effects resulting from developmental lead treatment in rats with corresponding physiological measures of lead exposure. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 350 ppm lead acetate from birth to weaning via the dam's drinking water. Behavioral measures assessed in the offspring included residential activity tests, complex maze performance, acoustic startle response, emergence behavior (light/dark preference), prepulse inhibition, and ethological assessments of play, dominance, and burrowing. Pb blood levels averaged 53 microg/dl in the dam at the time of offspring weaning and 46 microg/dl in weanling female offspring. Pb levels averaged 277 ng/g and 32 microg/g in the brain and bone, respectively, of female offspring at weaning. No behavioral assessment indicated any lead-related functional alterations nor were there any statistically significant differences when the lead-treated group was restricted to rats in those litters that were above the median Pb blood lead level at weaning. These results indicate that any lead-related functional alterations at this dose may be subtle and require a sufficient demand on the system for detection.

Metabolism of pyrilamine maleate in Fischer 344 rats, Part I: Activity excretion profiles.

Male and female Fisher 344 rats (12 per group) were dosed by gavage with either 2 or 10 mg (based on the free amine) pyrilamine maleate containing about 12 and 6 muCi 14C-pyrilamine maleate, respectively, to determine excretion of the activity as a function of dose and sex with time. Urine and feces were collected at timed intervals through 144 h. Most of the dose (about 70%) was eliminated within 48 h through the urine and feces, but only about 80% of the total dose was recovered during the experiment. Less than 1% of the total dose remained in the rats at the end of the test period. In an additional experiment to determine the location of the remainder of the dose (about 20%), male rats were dosed with 2 mg pyrilamine maleate containing 14C-pyrilamine maleate. After 144 h, exhaustive washing of the cages resulted in recovery of approximately 20% of the dose, thus identifying its location. There were no significant sex or dose related differences observed in the total amount of 14C that was eliminated through the urine or feces and recovered. Urine and feces are the major routes of elimination of pyrilamine maleate in the Fischer 344 rat. The urinary route of elimination was more predominant than the fecal route in both sexes at either dose.

Metabolism of doxylamine succinate in Fischer 344 rats. Part I: Distribution and excretion.

Experiments were conducted with male and female rats (12 per group) dosed by gavage with 2 or 20 mg (based on the free amine) doxylamine succinate containing about 10 microCi 14C-doxylamine succinate to determine distribution and excretion of the activity as a function of dose and sex with time. Urine and feces were collected at intervals up to 72 hr. Most of the dose (approximately equal to 70%) was eliminated in the first 24 hr after dosing and 95 to 100% of the dose was recovered during the 72-hr course of the experiments with both sexes and dose levels. Less than 1% of the total dose remained in the rats at the end of the test period. The urinary route of elimination was more predominant than the fecal route in both sexes given the 20-mg dose. The fecal route predominates in low-dose males whereas there is no significant difference between urinary and fecal routes of elimination in low-dose females. Preliminary characterization of urinary metabolite form using extraction techniques shows 99% of the metabolites to be in the polar conjugated form.

Metabolism of doxylamine succinate in Fischer 344 rats. Part III: Conjugated urinary and fecal metabolites.

Elimination and metabolic profiles of the glucuronide products of doxylamine and its N-demethylated metabolites were determined after the oral administration of (14C)-doxylamine succinate (13.3 and 133 mg/kg doses) to male and female Fischer 344 rats. The cumulative urinary and fecal eliminations of these conjugated doxylamine metabolites at the 13.3 mg/kg dose were 44.4 +/- 4.2% and 47.3 +/- 8.1% of the total recovered dose for male and female rats, respectively. The cumulative urinary and fecal eliminations of conjugated doxylamine metabolites at the 133 mg/kg dose were 55.2 +/- 2.6% and 47.9 +/- 2.5% of the total recovered dose for male and female rats, respectively. The conjugated doxylamine metabolites that were isolated, quantitated, and identified are doxylamine O-glucuronide, N-desmethyl-doxylamine O-glucuronide, and N,N-didesmethyldoxylamine O-glucuronide.

Metabolism of doxylamine succinate in Fischer 344 rats. Part II: Nonconjugated urinary and fecal metabolites.

Elimination and metabolic profiles of doxylamine and its nonconjugated metabolites were determined after the oral administration of [14C]-doxylamine succinate (13.3 mg/kg and 133 mg/kg doses) to male and female Fischer 344 rats. Total urine and fecal recovery of the administered dose was greater than 90% regardless of sex or dose. The cumulative urinary and fecal elimination of these nonconjugated doxylamine metabolites at the 13.3 mg dose was 44.4 +/- 4.4% and 36.0 +/- 5.8% of the total recovered dose for male and female rats, respectively. The cumulative urinary and fecal elimination of the doxylamine nonconjugated metabolites at the 133 mg/kg dose was 38.7 +/- 2.7% and 41.4 +/- 1.0% of the total recovered dose for male and female rats, respectively. In order to determine the contribution of mammalian and bacterial enzymes in the overall metabolism and excretion patterns for doxylamine, two in vitro techniques were investigated. Incubation of [14C]-doxylamine succinate with human and rat intestinal microflora indicated that anaerobic bacteria were not capable of effecting the degradation of [14C]-doxylamine succinate. However, the incubation of [14C]-doxylamine succinate with isolated rat hepatocytes generated several metabolites similar to those observed in vivo. The nonconjugated doxylamine metabolites isolated and identified include: doxylamine N-oxide, desmethyldoxylamine, didesmethyldoxylamine and ring-hydroxylated products of doxylamine and desmethyldoxylamine. The studies demonstrate the role of hepatic metabolism in the elimination of doxylamine succinate in the rat.

Analysis of calcium and lead in calcium supplements by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

A method was developed to analyze various calcium supplements for Ca and Pb content. The analysis involves a dry ash of the supplements followed by wet digestion. The Pb is determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS). Analysis of Ca is by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Ca supplements fortified with Pb at levels ranging from 0.25 to 10.0 micrograms/g yielded recoveries ranging from 82.7 +/- 4.2 to 105.0 +/- 1.7%. To test accuracy, the method was applied to National Institute of Standards and Technology standard reference materials (NIST SRMs) 1572 citrus leaves and 1486 bone meal. GFAAS analysis of SRM 1572 averaged 13.1 +/- 0.6 micrograms Pb per g (certificate value, 13.3 +/- 2.4 micrograms Pb per g), and analysis of SRM 1486 averaged 1.34 +/- 0.11 micrograms Pb per g (certificate value, 1.335 +/- 0.014 micrograms Pb per g). ICP-AES analysis of SRM 1572 averaged 3.12 +/- 0.01% Ca (certificate value, 3.15 +/- 0.10% Ca by weight), and analysis of SRM 1486 averaged 27.63 +/- 0.27% Ca (certificate value, 26.58 +/- 0.24% Ca). The method's limit of quantitation (LOQ), on supplement Ca basis and a 1 g sample, averaged 0.75 micrograms Pb per 1 g Ca for supplements containing 9 to 35% Ca by weight. At a Pb level of 0.663 micrograms/g Ca, the reproducibility relative standard deviation (RSDr) averaged 7.3% and the repeatability relative standard deviation (RSDR) averaged 8.0%. It is recommended that the method be studied collaboratively.

Determination of calcium by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, and lead by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, in calcium supplements after microwave dissolution or dry-ash digestion: method trial.

A 3-laboratory method trial was conducted to evaluate 2 sample digestion procedures and instrumental determination parameters for analysis of calcium and lead in Ca supplements. Calcium supplements were treated by dry-ash digestion or microwave dissolution prior to spectrometric analysis. In each case, Pb was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and Ca by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Blind duplicates of 6 Ca supplement samples were analyzed after each sample treatment procedure. Matrix pairs contained dissimilar Pb levels to cover the analyte range encountered during method development. Calcium content of the Ca supplement samples also reflected the range seen during method development. Stock solutions of Ca and Pb were supplied to collaborators for preparation of quantitation standards to remove a variable external to the method. National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material (NIST SRM) 1486, bone meal, was included to assess method accuracy and recovery at NIST certificate Ca and Pb levels for this material (26.58 +/- 0.24% Ca and 1.335 +/- 0.014 micrograms Pb/g). Analyses of the NIST SRM yielded 25.9 +/- 1.1 and 27.2 +/- 2.3% Ca and 1.53 +/- 0.19 and 1.26 +/- 0.19 micrograms Pb/g for dry-ash and microwave procedures, respectively. Statistical analyses of data indicated acceptable repeatability and reproducibility for determination of Pb and Ca in various Ca supplements. With either sample preparation technique, the method is appropriate for determining Pb or Ca in Ca supplements.

Physical, biochemical, and immunological characterization of a thermostable amidase from Klebsiella pneumoniae NCTR 1.

An amidase capable of degrading acrylamide and aliphatic amides was purified to apparent homogeneity from Klebsiella pneumoniae NCTR 1. The enzyme is a monomer with an apparent molecular weight of 62,000. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were 7.0 and 65 degrees C, respectively. The purified amidase contained 11 5,5-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) (DTNB)-titratable sulfhydryl (SH) groups. In the native enzyme 1.0 SH group readily reacted with DTNB with no detectable loss of activity. Titration of the next 3.0 SH groups with DTNB resulted in a loss of activity of more than 70%. The remaining seven inaccessible SH groups could be titrated only in the presence of 8 M guanidine hydrochloride. Titration of SH groups was strongly inhibited by carboxymethylation and KMnO4, suggesting the presence of SH groups at the active site(s). Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry analysis indicated that the native amidase contains 0.33 mol of cobalt and 0.33 mol of iron per mol of the native enzyme. Polyclonal antiserum against K. pneumoniae amidase was raised in rabbits, and immunochemical comparisons were made with amidases from Rhodococcus sp., Mycobacterium smegmatis, Pseudomonas chlororaphis B23, and Methylophilus methylotrophus. The antiserum immunoprecipitated and immunoreacted with the amidases of K. pneumoniae and P. chlororaphis B23. The antiserum failed to immunoreact or immunoprecipitate with other amidases.

Purification and characterization of an amidase from an acrylamide-degrading Rhodococcus sp.

A constitutively expressed aliphatic amidase from a Rhodococcus sp. catalyzing acrylamide deamination was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was estimated to be 360,000. Upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the purified preparation yielded a homogeneous protein band having an apparent molecular weight of about 44,500. The amidase had pH and temperature optima of 8.5 and 40 degrees C, respectively, and its isoelectric point was pH 4.0. The amidase had apparent K(m) values of 1.2, 2.6, 3.0, 2.7, and 5.0 mM for acrylamide, acetamide, butyramide, propionamide, and isobutyramide, respectively. Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectometry analysis indicated that the enzyme contains 8 mol of iron per mol of the native enzyme. No labile sulfide was detected. The amidase activity was enhanced by, but not dependent on Fe(2+), Ba(2+), and Cr(2+). However, the enzyme activity was partially inhibited by Mg(2+) and totally inhibited in the presence of Ni(2+), Hg(2+), Cu(2+), Co(2+), specific iron chelators, and thiol blocking reagents. The NH2-terminal sequence of the first 18 amino acids displayed 88% homology to the aliphatic amidase of Brevibacterium sp. strain R312.

Effect of supplemental folic acid on valproic acid-induced embryotoxicity and tissue zinc levels in vivo.

Valproic acid (VPA) is an anti-convulsant drug known to cause spina bifida in humans. Administration of the vitamin, folic acid, has been shown to decrease the recurrence and possibly also the occurrence of neural tube defects, primarily spina bifida, in humans. Additionally, treatment with a derivative (folinic acid) of folic acid has been reported to decrease the frequency of VPA-induced exencephaly in mice treated with the drug in vivo. A protective effect by folinic acid has not been observed in vitro. The purpose of this investigation was to reexamine the ability of folinic acid to decrease the incidence of VPA-induced neural tube defects in vivo. We also examined the effect of increased intake of folic acid on zinc levels in various maternal and embryonic tissues. Folinic acid, whether administered by intraperitoneal injection or in osmotic mini-pumps, did not decrease the number of mouse fetuses with VPA-induced exencephaly. Dietary supplementation with 10-20 times the daily required intake of folic acid in rodents also failed to decrease the embryotoxicity of VPA. Such dietary supplementation had no effect on zinc levels in maternal liver, brain, or kidney, nor in embryonic tissues. These results indicate that folic acid is not able to reverse the embryotoxicity induced by the anticonvulsant, that there is no apparent effect of high dietary folate intake on maternal or embryonic zinc levels and suggest that folate is probably not involved in the mechanism of VPA-induced embryotoxicity.