Electrochemical Detection of Alloxan on Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Alloxan is a toxic reagent that strongly induces the diabetes by destroying insulin‐producing β‐cells in the pancreas of living organisms. The reduction product of alloxan is dialuric acid, which is responsible for the intracellular generation of ROS to enhance the stress in living cells to cause kidney disease or diabetic nephropathy. Herein, we studied for the first time the electrochemical properties of alloxan on reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode (rGO/GCE) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at pH 7. The obtained results were compared with graphene oxide modified GCE (GO/GCE) and bare GCE surfaces. The modified rGO/GCE showed well defined redox couple with 10 fold increase in both reduction as well as oxidation peak current for alloxan than that of GO/GCE and bare GCE. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique shows the linear increase in both oxidation and reduction peak current of alloxan in the range of 30 μM to 3 mM with LOD of 1.2 μM. An amperometric signal of alloxan is also increases with respect to each addition of 50 μM of alloxan on rGO/GCE at constant potential of ?0.05 V. The linear range of alloxan is observed between 50 μM to 750 μM (S/N=3). This kind of rGO/GCE surface is more suitable platform or sensor matrix for estimating unknown concentration of alloxan molecule in the real biological systems.     

Polymeric Electron Carriers

Polymers containing 1,4-dihydronicotinamide (P-NAH) alloxan (P-A), and viologen (P-V²⁺) moieties were synthesized and characterized. P-NAH reduced various organic substances such as lipoic acid, alloxan, and viologens and also immobilized quinone mediated by alloxan. P-A was reduced to the polymer-bearing alloxan radical and the dialuric acid structure without crosslinks by one- and two-electron reduction, respectively, and P-A also mediated the redox reaction occurring between aqueous and organic (water-immiscible) layers. P-V²⁺ was converted to the stable viologen radical reversibly by one-electron reduction. Electric potentials and currents on photo-reduction of P-V²⁺ and catalytic behavior of P-V²⁺ in the reduction of carbonyl compounds were examined.     

Kinetics of Alloxan-Induced Inhibition on δ-Aminolevulinate Dehydratase Activity in Mouse Liver Homogenates

This study evaluated the effects of alloxan on the kinetics properties of the δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) using mouse liver homogenates. δ-ALA-D is an important sulfhydryl enzyme that catalyses the second step in heme biosynthesis and is commonly diminished in experimental and human diabetes. Despite the known effects of alloxan in models of experimental diabetes, there are no data in the literature demonstrating the effects of alloxan on the kinetics properties of the δ-ALA-D. The results showed that alloxan (1.25–20 μM) caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of hepatic δ-ALA-D activity. The inhibition constant (K _i ) for alloxan-induced inhibition on δ-ALA-D was 3.64 μM. The alloxan (5 μM) caused a decrease in V _max (65.8%) and in K _m (53.1%), which is suggestive of an uncompetitive inhibition of enzyme. In addition, dithiothreitol (700 and 1,000 μM) completely prevented the δ-ALA-D activity inhibition induced by 10 and 20 μM alloxan. Similar protection was obtained in the presence of 2,000 μM glutathione. Therefore, this work showed that the inhibition of hepatic δ-ALA-D activity can be obtained in vitro at low micromolar levels of alloxan, and can also be prevented by reducing agents. Moreover, these results may help to understand the abnormalities in heme pathway found in models of experimental diabetes in vivo.     

Enzymatic generation of alloxan radicals in rat liver microsomes: possible participation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-cytochrome P-450 reductase.

Electron spin resonance studies showed that addition of rat liver microsomes to the reaction system of alloxan with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) resulted in a marked increase in the generation of alloxan radicals (AH.), whereas heat-denatured microsomes were without such effect. Oxidation of NADPH by alloxan was also stimulated by microsomes. The microsomes from rats treated with phenobarbital, an inducer of cytochrome P-450 reductase, greatly stimulated both the AH.generation and the NADPH oxidation. However, the microsomes from rats treated with 3-methylcholanthrene, an inducer of DT-diaphorase, did not have stimulative effect greater than the control microsomes. These results suggest the possibility that NADPH-linked AH.generations in microsomal membranes is catalyzed by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase.     

Syntheses and reduction of polymers with alloxan structures

The polymer(Poly A) which contains alloxan moiety was prepared by the oxidation of the copolymer of allyl barbituric acid and vinyl acetate with chromium trioxide. The photoreduction of Poly A by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was used to isolate the polymer(Poly A·) in which the alloxan radical was present. The properties of this polymer(Poly A·) thus obtained were investigated. Poly A was also reduced by chemical agents to obtain the polymer(Poly D) which had a dialuric acid structure.     

Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of d- and f-Metal Complexes with Alloxan

Fifteen d- and f-metal complexes with alloxan were synthesized. Complexes of two types, in which alloxan exists in mono- or diinozed form, were found to be formed, depending on the synthesis conditions (solvents and pH of solutions). Physicochemical properties of alloxanates were studied by IR, X-ray photo electron, and electronic absorption spectroscopies. The alloxan molecule was calculated using the PPP method. The structures of complexes synthesized were suggested.     

Theoretical investigation of the alloxan–dialuric acid redox cycle

The redox cycle between alloxan, a mild oxidizing agent, and its reduction partner, dialuric acid, is investigated using density functional theory. It is found that the initial step is the one‐electron reduction of alloxan followed by protonation, yielding a stable neutral radical, AH^·. The radical can then accept another electron to form the dialuric acid anion. The formation of this anion is thermodynamically favored in both the gas phase and in solution. The radical may also undergo dimerization to alloxantin, followed by the transfer of a proton from one moiety to another, yielding alloxan and dialuric acid. This reduction is thermodynamically feasible in the gas phase, but not in aqueous solution. In the case of reduction of alloxan by glutathione at the physiological pH, computed redox potentials indicate that a two‐electron reduction is the favored course of reaction, yielding directly the dialuric acid anion, which then undergoes aerial oxidation to yield the superoxide radical. The redox cycling between alloxan and dialuric acid is responsible for the diabetogenic activity of alloxan, producing cytotoxic radicals on reoxidation of dialuric acid. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Tautomerism in alloxan

Ab initio STO-3G, 3-21G and 6-31G calculations have been used to investigate the energetics of the tautomerism in alloxan. The geometries of the tautomers have been fully optimized at STO-3G level. The results indicate that tautomerism in alloxan in the vapour is highly unlikely, the trioxo structure being by far the most stable structure. The population analysis of the alloxan anion gives evidence that the preferred protonation site is offered by the central oxygen atom, and rules out the opposite oxygen atom as a possible protonation site.     

Preparation of polymers containing 1,4-dihydronicotinamide structure and their use in the reduction of vicinal tricarbonyl compounds

The definite polymers containing 1,4-dihydronicotinamide structure were prepared by reduction with sodium dithionite-potassium carbonate in the presence of benzyltriethylammonium chloride. The reduction of vicinal tricarbonyl compounds such as alloxan and ninhydrin by polymers having the 1,4-dihydronicotinamide moiety was performed to isolate the polymers' trapped radical anion of alloxan or ninhydrin.     

Proton magnetic resonance studies of tautomerism in substituted pyrimidines

Studies of line width and chemical shift vs. temperature for amide and hydroxyl proton magnetic resonance signals from: barbituric acid, dialuric acid, parabanic acid, alloxan and alloxan monohydrate dissolved in anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide-d₆ are reported. The behavior of the amide signals shows that, between 20 and 65°C, none of the compounds listed exhibits lactim-lactam tautomerism. The amide proton resonance in uracil has also been investigated. The signal is a closely spaced, equal intensity, doublet due to the non-equivalence of H(1) and H(3). Again, no evidence of tautomerism is observed. Activation energies for the hydroxyl resonances in dialuric acid and alloxan monohydrate indicate hydrogen bonding between solute and solvent. The results of simple LCAO-MO calculations are in accord with the experimental conclusions concerning tautomeric equilibria.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of uric acid by hexacyanoferrate(III) in acetate buffers

The second order kinetics of uric acid oxidation by hexacyanoferrate(III) in acetate buffers were studied by estimating oxidant colorimetrically at 420 nm. Two moles of organic acid react with one mole of the oxidant and oxidation products are alloxan and urea. TMC 2661     

Triphenylphosphonium-alloxan betaines

Alloxan and 1,3-dimethylalloxan react with triarylphosphines to generate zwitterionic adducts involving the phosphorus and the C-5 carbonyl oxygen atoms of alloxan. The adducts, unlike alloxan, did not induce permanent hyperglycemia but one analog did effect a transient rise in blood glucose.     

Acid-catalyzed reactions of alloxan with compounds containing an activated alkyl group

Condensations of alloxan with 2-methylquinoline, 2,6-dimethyl-5-nitroquinoline, and 1-methylisoquinoline were carried out under acidic conditions. Analogous reactions of alloxan with linear structures containing alkyl groups σ,π-conjugated with C=N fragments were also studied.     

Highly Fluorescent Flavins: Rational Molecular Design for Quenching Protection Based on Repulsive and Attractive Control of Molecular Alignment

Unprecedented intense fluorescent emission was observed for a variety of flavin compounds bearing a perpendicular cyclic imide moiety at the C7 position of an isoalloxazine platform. A series of alloxan‐substituted flavins was prepared selectively by reduction of the corresponding N‐aryl‐2‐nitro‐5‐alkoxyanilines with zinc dust and subsequent reaction with alloxan monohydrate in the presence of boric acid. Analogues bearing oxazolidine‐2,4‐dione functionality were obtained on methylation of the alloxan‐substituted flavins with methyl iodide and subsequent rearrangement in the presence of an inorganic base. The flavin compounds exhibit intense white‐green fluorescent emission in the solution state under UV excitation at 298 K, with emission efficiencies Φ_{298 K} greater than 0.55 in CH₃CN, which are higher than the values for all reported flavin compounds under similar conditions. The highest Φ_{298 K} value of 0.70 was obtained in CH₃CN for isoalloxazine bearing C7‐alloxan and N10‐2,6‐diisopropylphenyl groups. The temperature dependence of the emission intensities indicates that the pronounced emission properties at 298 K are attributable to the highly heat resistant properties towards emission decay with increasing temperature. Mechanistic studies, including X‐ray diffraction analysis, revealed that the good emission properties and high heat resistance of the alloxan‐substituted flavins are due to a synergetic effect of the associative nature of the C7‐alloxan unit and the repulsive nature of the perpendicular bulky substituents at the C7 and N10 positions.     

Effect of glutathione on lambda deoxyribonucleic acid strand breaks in the reaction system of glutathione-alloxan in the presence of Fe(3+)-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.

Alkaline sucrose density gradient and agarose gel electrophoresis methods were used to observe lambda deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strand breaks by the reaction system of reduced glutathione (GSH) with alloxan in the presence of Fe(3+)-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). When DNA was incubated in the reaction system for 10 min, DNA strand breaks were easily induced. The increasing concentrations of GSH up to 1.0 mM in the reaction system in the presence of 1.0 mM alloxan caused DNA strand breaks in a concentration-dependent fashion and GSH beyond 2.0 mM caused in the strand breaks of DNA by which the fragments with multiple ranges of molecular weight were produced. The strand breaks of DNA in the reaction system containing low concentrations of GSH were protected by catalase and hydroxyl radical (HO.) scavengers but superoxide dismutase (SOD) did not, indicating that such breaks were induced by HO.generated from the Fenton reaction. On the other hand, the strand breaks of DNA at high concentrations of GSH were protected by ethanol and desferrioxamine, but not effectively by SOD and HO.scavengers, suggesting the possible participation of some oxidizing species of iron rather than HO.. These results indicate that HO.or oxidizing species of iron generated in the GSH-alloxan system depending on the concentration of GSH attacks DNA to produce strand breaks.     

An efficient one pot synthesis of 3‐(2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐3‐yl)‐6H,8H‐pyrimido[4,5‐c]pyridazine‐5,7‐dionesl

An easy, simple and versatile one step synthesis of 3‐(2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐3‐yl)‐6H,8H‐pyrimido[4,5‐c]‐pyridazine‐5,7‐diones is reported by reaction of 3‐acetylcoumarins ( 1 ) with alloxan monohydrate ( 2 ) in acetic acid followed by hydrazine hydrate.     

Catalytic Amine Oxidation under Ambient Aerobic Conditions: Mimicry of Monoamine Oxidase B

The flavoenzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) regulates mammalian behavioral patterns by modulating neurotransmitters such as adrenaline and serotonin. The mechanistic basis which underpins this enzyme is far from agreed upon. Reported herein is that the combination of a synthetic flavin and alloxan generates a catalyst system which facilitates biomimetic amine oxidation. Mechanistic and electron paramagnetic (EPR) spectroscopic data supports the conclusion that the reaction proceeds through a radical manifold. This data provides the first example of a biorelevant synthetic model for monoamine oxidase B activity.     

Protective mechanism of glucose against alloxan-induced beta-cell damage: pivotal role of ATP

Glucose prevents the development of diabetes induced by alloxan. In the present study, the protective mechanism of glucose against alloxan-induced beta-cell damage was investigated using HIT-T 15 cell, a Syrian hamster transformed beta-cell line. Alloxan caused beta-cell damages with DNA fragmentation, inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin release, and decrease of cellular ATP level, but all of these beta-cell damages by alloxan were prevented by the presence of 20 mM glucose. Oligomycin, a specific inhibitor of ATP synthase, completely abolished the protective effects of glucose against alloxan-induced cell damage. Furthermore, treatment of nuclei isolated from HIT-T15 cells with ATP significantly prevented the DNA fragmentation induced by Ca2+. The results indicate that ATP produced during glucose metabolism plays a pivotal role in the protection of glucose against alloxan-induced beta-cell damage.     

Facile synthesis of 1,2,3-tricarbonyls from 1,3-dicarbonyls mediated by cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate

A mild and efficient protocol for the synthesis of vicinal tricarbonyl compounds from β-dicarbonyls in a single step using cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate as a catalytic oxidant is described. Ease of execution, wide substrate scope and the suitability for the synthesis of commercially important compounds like ninhydrin, alloxan and oxoline make this reaction particularly noteworthy.     

Study of derivatives of the isoalloxazine series

Five new isoalloxazine derivatives are synthesized by condensing o-diamines with alloxan. A method of synthesizing ring-substituted monoalkylphenylenediamines by reducing the corresponding o-nitro-N-alkylanilines with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of Raney nickel is developed.For Part I see [10].