Fish Skin as a Model Membrane to Study Transmembrane Drug Delivery with Cyclodextrins

The possibility of using fish skin as model membrane tostudy drug permeation and penetration enhancement by cyclodextrins was investigated.The permeability of the skin from four species of fish, Anarhichas lupus (catfish),Pleuronectes platessa (Plaice), Hippoglossus hippoglossus (Halibut)and Anarhichas minor (Spotted catfish), was compared in a Franz diffusion cell set-up using 1% hydrocortisone aqueous solution as a donor phase. The drug fluxthrough fish skin was more than 100 times faster than the flux through hairless mouse skin and more than 10 000 times faster than through snake skin. Catfishskin was most easily accessible and was therefore used for further study. The octanol-water partition coefficient did not affect the transmembrane flux of small molecules whereas the aqueous diffusion coefficient could be correlated with the flux.The hydrocortisone flux of from aqueous hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin solutions, which were saturated with the drug, increased with increasing cyclodextrinconcentration. From these and other observations it was concluded that small moleculesare transported through fish skin in aqueous channels. The properties of thesechannels resemble the properties of the aqueous diffusion layer present in human andanimal skin and other types of biological membranes. Previous studies have shown thatcyclodextrins will enhance drug delivery by increasing aqueous diffusion rate. Catfish skin can therefore be a good model membrane to study penetration enhancementby cyclodextrins.     

Effects of 17β-trenbolone in male eelpout Zoarces viviparus exposed to ethinylestradiol

To evaluate the interaction between 17β-trenbolone (TB) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), male eelpout, Zoarces viviparus, was exposed for 21 days (April to May 2008) to 5 ng l⁻¹ EE2 and 5 or 20 ng l⁻¹ TB, separately or in combination in a flow-through SW system. The effects on hepatosomatic (HSI) and gonadosomatic index (GSI), plasma vitellogenin (Vtg) concentration, gonadal histology, hepatic and testicular Vtg mRNA and estrogen receptor (ERα) mRNA expression were investigated. No effects on HSI were observed. A significant decrease was observed in the GSI of all males exposed to EE2 (<0.7%) when compared to controls (1.4%). Histological alterations and immature stages were observed in the testis of all exposed males; however, males exposed to EE2 were the most affected. Increased tubule number and proportionally decreased tubule diameter were observed in the testis of all EE2 groups. No effects in Vtg mRNA expression were observed in the testis; however, a significant decrease in testis ERα mRNA was observed in males exposed to 20 ng l⁻¹ TB. The groups exposed to EE2 showed a significant increase in plasma Vtg (>300-fold), hepatic Vtg mRNA (>450-fold), and ERα mRNA (>100-fold) when compared to controls. This study shows that lower concentrations of 17β-trenbolone are unable to counteract the EE2 estrogenic effects when the exposure is simultaneous.      

Development of quantitative vitellogenin-ELISAs for fish test species used in endocrine disruptor screening

The yolk protein precursor vitellogenin (Vtg) in plasma has proved to be a simple and sensitive biomarker for assessing exposure of fish to environmental estrogens. Within international bodies such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) work is ongoing to develop screening and testing programmes for endocrine disrupting effects of new chemicals, and in the focus of this development are the fish test species common carp (Cyprinus carpio), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). In this study we have developed quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for Vtg in common carp/fathead minnow, zebrafish and Japanese medaka. The assays were developed using a combination of monoclonal and polyclonal fish Vtg antibodies in a sandwich format, using stabilized Vtg from the test species as a standard. The carp Vtg ELISA has a working range of 1–63 ng/mL, a minimal detection limit of 0.6 ng/mL, and may also be used for quantification of Vtg in fathead minnow. In fathead minnow whole-body homogenate samples, the practical detection limit is 400 ng/mL due to the matrix effect. The zebrafish Vtg ELISA has a working range of 0.5–63 ng/mL, a minimal detection limit of 0.4 ng/mL, and a practical detection limit of 200 ng/mL in whole-body homogenate samples. The medaka Vtg ELISA has a working range of 0.25–16 ng/mL, a minimal detection limit of 0.1 ng/mL, and a practical detection limit of 125 ng/mL in whole-body homogenate samples. The intra- and inter-assay variations were below 20% for all assays. The assays were evaluated with sets of representative samples spanning the wide dynamic range of Vtg-levels found in fish exposed to environmental estrogens, and all three assays are currently undergoing international inter-laboratory validation.     

Adaptation of hybridomas to protein-free media results in a simplified two-step immunoglobulin M purification process

An IgM antibody was purified from hybridoma supernatant containing serum using a three-step purification process comprising of tangential flow filtration, anion-exchange chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography. Recovery and purity were significantly improved upon adaptation of the hybridoma to serum-free media. The process could even be simplified by omitting the initial tangential flow filtration step. Even with a two-step purification process a purity of >98% and a recovery of >60% was obtained.     

A strategy for chromatographic and structural analysis of monosaccharide species from glycoproteins

A general strategy for the chromatographic and structural analysis of the monosaccharide species fucose (Fuc), N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), galactose (Gal), glucose (Glc), mannose (Man), N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) present in glycoproteins is described. Qualitative and quantitative aspects for the separation of these glycoprotein monosaccharides (monosaccharide species) using ligand-exchange chromatography (LEC) and high pH anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) in combination with pulsed-amperometric detection (PAD), refractive index (RI) and ultraviolet (UV) monitoring are discussed in detail. The conditions for the acidic hydrolysis of glycoproteins and for the liquid chromatographic analyses of glycoprotein monosaccharides using HPAEC and LEC technique were optimised. Furthermore, the characterisation of glycoproteins according to their purity and molecular mass connected with a comparison to biomolecules that are not glycosylated or whose extent of glycosylation is low was carried out by means of matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). The identification of glycoprotein monosaccharides using an on-line coupling liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed by means of their characteristic quasi molecule ions such as (M + NH₄)⁺ and (2M + NH₄)⁺. The different chromatographic and structural methods used in combination with each other were applied to characterise and determine the monosaccharide species of fetuin and a membrane glycoprotein fraction.     

Isolation of selenium organic species from antarctic krill after enzymatic hydrolysis

Total selenium content and its distribution in the soluble and insoluble protein-bound fractions obtained after aqueous extraction of antarctic krill samples were determined. About 26% of the total selenium (2.4 g g^–1 dry weight) was found in the supernatant; the rest was in the pellet. Isolation of low molecular selenium-containing fractions was also performed by enzymatic digestion of the protein, followed by size-exclusion chromatography in conjunction with atomic absorption spectrometry. From the applied various proteinases (pronase E, subtilisin Carlsberg, trypsin, chymotrypsin, proteinase and proteinase N from Bacillus subtilis and Novo 0.6 MPX enzyme), the treatment with pronase E led to best recovery of selenium. About 96% of the total Se was found in the hydrolysate, mainly in low molecular weight fractions. Eighty percent of the Se species were in fractions with molecular weights in the range of amino acids and short peptides. High-performance liquid chromatography/inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) allowed the identification of selenomethionine and the assumption that selenocystine or its derivatives were the main species in these fractions.     

Determination of cadmium and bismuth in high-purity zinc metal by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with on-line matrix separation

Traces of cadmium and bismuth in high-purity zinc metal were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in combination with flow injection (FI) on-line matrix separation (FI-ICP-MS). The anion-exchange separation method of the potassium iodide (KI) system was applied to the separation of the analytes from the matrix zinc. The analytes, cadmium and bismuth, were adsorbed on the anion-exchange (BIORAD AG1-X8) mini-column (1.0 mm i.d.× 100 mm bed length), while the matrix zinc can be completely removed from the anion-exchange resin. The analytes were eluted by 2 mol/l HNO₃ and directly introduced into the ICP-MS. The detection limits (D.L.) obtained by using a single injection (350 l) were 0.81 and 0.075 ngg^-1 for cadmium and bismuth, respectively. In the case of multi-injection concentration onto the anion-exchange mini-column (five injections 350 l each), the detection limits could be improved to 0.16 and 0.014 ngg^-1 for cadmium and bismuth, respectively. The reproducibilities of the single injection and the multi-injection method were satisfactory with a relative standard deviation of less than 5% (at the 10 and 1 ngml^-1 level for the single injection and the multi-injection method, respectively). The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace impurities in four samples of high-purity zinc metal (7 nines grade) and three standard reference materials of high-purity unalloyed zinc samples (from NIST).     

从猪血中分离纯化高纯度的猪血红蛋白

为了从猪血中分离纯化高纯度的猪血红蛋白,建立了通过超滤、DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow离子交换色谱和Sephadex G-75凝胶 排阻色谱三步法制备高纯度猪血红蛋白的方法,并通过十二烷基磺酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)、高效凝胶排阻色谱和反相高 效液相色谱方法,对纯化后的猪血红蛋白进行了鉴定。经三步分离纯化后,猪血红蛋白的纯度大于99%,含量为1.328 g/L。     

Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Sulfamonomethoxine, Sulfadimethoxine, and their N 4-Acetyl Metabolites in Chicken Plasma

An environmentally-friendly method has been established for simultaneous determination of sulfamonomethoxine, sulfadimethoxine, and their N⁴-acetyl metabolites in chicken plasma. The sample is prepared by mixing with 4 mol L^–1 ammonium sulfate solution then centrifugation, and analysis is performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a polyethylene glycol reversed-phase column with 0.001 mol L^–1 sodium acetate solution as mobile phase and photodiode-array detection. Average recoveries from samples spiked with 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 g mL^–1 of each drug were >78% and relative standard deviations were within 4%. The practical quantitation limits were 0.09 g mL^–1. No organic solvents or hazardous reagents were used at any stage of the analysis.     

Rapid determination of vitellogenin in fish plasma by anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography using postcolumn fluorescence derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde.

An analytical method involving anion exchange high performance liquid chromatographic determination of vitellogenin (Vtg) in fish plasma after postcolumn fluorescence derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) was developed. The retention time of Vtg was about 11 min. The reagent variables for derivatization were optimized. The fluorophore was excited at 335 nm and detected at 435 nm. A calibration curve was established ranging from 0.13 to 11.28 microg. The determination limit of Vtg was found to be as low as 0.13 microg. The spiked recovery was 93.6% and interassay variability was less than 4%. The method developed was used to determine Vtg in fish plasma obtained from red sea bream (Pagrosomus major), black porgy (Sparus macrocephalus) and skew band grunt (Hapalogenys nitens), without complicated sample pretreatment. The results confirmed that the method showed advantages of being simple, rapid, reproducible and sensitive.     

Sandwich immunoassay for determination of vitellogenin in golden grey mullet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Liza aurata</Emphasis>) serum as a field exposure biomarker

Vitellogenin (VTG) is a protein produced in the liver of oviparous animals in response to oestrogens. Abnormal production of VTG by males, therefore, is used as a biological indicator of exposure to xeno-oestrogens. In this study, a sandwich-ELISA for measuring VTG in Liza aurata (golden grey mullet) was developed and validated. Plasma VTG was purified from 17-oestradiol-injected immature individuals of mullet, by size-exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography. Polyclonal antibodies against VTG were raised in rabbits. A sensitive immunoassay was developed for measurement of vitellogenin in L. aurata serum, reaching a quantification limit of 0.01 g mL^–1 and a dynamic range from 0.02 to 2 g mL^–1. The assay is specific, because high levels (>100 g mL^–1) of carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (Carassius auratus), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), tench (Tinca tinca), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and frog (Rana perezi) purified VTG, give negligible responses. The assay was used to analyse plasma samples from wild mullet.     

Label-free immunosensor for monitoring vitellogenin as a biomarker for exogenous oestrogen compounds in amphibian species

A label-free, optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy based immunosensor was developed for frog (Bombina orientalis) vitellogenin (Vtg) determination in biological samples as a biomarker for exogenous oestrogen compounds. Antibody against Vtg was produced in rabbits immunised with purified lipovitellin (Lpv), a precursor of Vtg, from the homogenised ovary of oriental fire-bellied toads (B. orientalis). The purified protein and Lpv/Vtg-specific serum were applied in both competitive and direct immunoassay formats using optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy immunosensor. When measuring Vtg in direct manner, the Lpv antibody (1.76 µg mL^?1) was immobilised on the sensor surface, and the linear measuring range for Vtg was 0.1–10 µg mL^?1. During the competitive measurement, 100 ng mL^?1 Lpv was applied for the immobilisation. The linear measuring range for Vtg was 0.5–50 ng mL^?1. We studied the relative substrate specificity of the antibody, and it was concluded that the method is suitable for the sensitive and selective determination of Vtg levels in toads. Heart, liver and gonad samples from male animals were spiked with Vtg and were analysed using the newly developed method, and female toads and spawn samples were tested and compared to the calibration curve obtained by the spiked samples.     

Isolation and characterization of proteoglycans from different tissues

Two chromatographic procedures for the isolation and purification of proteoglycans (PG) and their related glycosaminoglycan (GAG) peptides are described. PG from human aorta were isolated from tissue extract by sequential ion-exchange, size-exclusion and hydroxyapatite chromatography. Final purification of samples was achieved by chromatography on Mono Q. Homogeneity of samples was demonstrated by Western blot analysis of biotin-labelled compounds prior to and after enzymatic digestion and dual-wavelength detection in size-exclusion chromatography. The purity of samples obtained by the procedure described was sufficient for protein sequence analysis. GAG preparations of bovine trachea cartilage were purified by the sequential use of strong anion-exchange supports. Molecular weight distribution and sensitivity to treatment with glycan-specific enzymes was shown by size-exclusion chromatography.     

Accurate purification age determination of individual uranium–plutonium mixed particles

Age of individual uranium–plutonium (U/Pu) mixed particles with various U/Pu atomic ratios (1–70) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Micron-sized particles were prepared from U and Pu certified reference materials. The Pu reference was stored for 4–6 years since the last purification (July 14, 2008). The Pu purification age was obtained from the ²⁴¹Am/²⁴¹Pu ratio which was calculated from the product of three measured ratios of Pu and Am isotopes in the eluted fractions. These ratios were measured by a high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer equipped with a desolvation system. Femto-gram to pico-gram quantities of Am, U, and Pu in a sample solution were sequentially separated on a small anion-exchange column. The ²⁴¹Am/²⁴¹Pu ratio was accurately determined by spiking pure ²⁴³Am into the sample solution. The average determined age for the particles for the five independent U/Pu ratios was in good agreement with the expected age with high accuracy (difference age 0.27 years) and high precision (standard deviation 0.44 years). The described analytical technique can serve as an effective tool for nuclear safeguards and environmental radiochemistry.

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Figure Young (4?6 y) Pu purification age of individual U/Pu mixed micron-sized reference particles for the five independent U/Pu ratios (1?70) were determined with 0.27±0.44 y difference from the expected age. Sub pico-gram quantities of Am, U and Pu were sequentially separated a small column, and their isotope ratios were accurately measured using an ICP-MS by applying the ²⁴³Am spiking technique to the analysis and correcting the impurity and the contaminations.

     

Fast purification of trace vitellogenin from Chinese rare minnow using protein A-immobilized antibody

Vitellogenin (Vtg) is a highly responsive biomarker for environmental exposure to various estrogenically active compounds. Here we present a simple, fast, mild, and stable immobilization of anti-Vtg antibody, and demonstrate its powerful applications for preconcentration and purification of fish Vtg proteins, allowing for the monitoring and screening of environmental exposure to estrogenically active compounds. In this immobilization method, rabbit antiserum containing a specific polyclonal antibody against Vtg was directly immobilized on an antibody-binding Staphylococcal protein A matrix (SpA) without the need for prior purification. Under the unique elution conditions, the Vtg protein can be eluted out alone without any leaked specific antibody. The developed method was further used to purify Vtg from whole-body homogenate of Chinese rare minnow. Compared with previous purification methods, the isolated Vtg fraction by this method displays higher purity and well-preserved structure integrity. Moreover, our method is eight times faster. The simple one-step protein A-based specific antibody immobilization and its associated elution strategy may be extended to a number of antibodies for various application purposes, highlighting the paramount advantages over traditional immunoprecipitation and covalent immobilization of antibodies, and suggesting a wide range of promising applications in environmental monitoring and proteome analysis.     

Determination of traces of molybdenum in sea water by combined anion-exchange — graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Summary Traces of molybdenum in sea water have been preconcentrated by anion-exchange from acidified samples in the presence of sodium azide. Molybdenum adsorbs strongly on a column of Bio-Rad AG 1 (Cl^–) and can be stripped easily by elution with 2 mol/l NH₄Cl — 2 mol/l NH₄OH solution. Molybdenum in the effluent is determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The combined method allows to determine traces of molybdenum in sea water as well as non-saline water on a 100 ml sample basis. The method gives a relative standard deviation of better than 8% at a molybdenum level of 10 g 1^–1 of sea water.

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Bestimmung von Molybdänspuren in Meereswasser mit Hilfe einer Kombination von Anionenaustausch und elektrothermischer Atomabsorptionsspektrometrie

     

Large-Scale Purification of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Flaxseed Mucilage, and Isolation of a New Anionic Polymer

Summary Viscous flaxseed mucilage has previously been described as a mixture of two polysaccharides (acidic and neutral). In this study, we have shown that a combination of ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography enables purification of three distinct polysaccharides. Molecular weight (Mw) analysis, performed by size-exclusion chromatography on line with a multi-angle laser light-scattering detector, revealed that the main polysaccharide (75%) was a neutral polymer with a Mw of approximately 1.2 × 10⁶ g mol^–1. The two others were acidic polysaccharides denoted AF₁ (3.75%, 6.5 × 10⁵ g mol^–1) and AF₂ (21.25%, 1.7 × 10⁴ g mol^–1).Presented at: International Symposium on Separation and Characterization of Natural and Synthetic Macromolecules, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, February 5–7, 2003     

Membrane chromatography: Protein purification from E. coli lysate using newly designed and commercial anion-exchange stationary phases

This contribution describes the purification of anthrax protective antigen (PA) protein from Escherichia coli lysate using bind-and-elute chromatography with newly designed weak anion-exchange membranes. Protein separation performance of the new AEX membrane adsorber was compared with the commercial Sartobind^® D membrane adsorber and HiTrap™ DEAE FF resin column under preparative scale conditions. Dynamic protein binding capacities of all three stationary phases were determined using breakthrough curve analysis. The AEX membrane showed higher binding capacities than the Sartobind^® D membrane at equivalent volumetric throughput and higher capacities than the HiTrap™ DEAE FF resin column at 15 times higher volumetric throughput. Anion-exchange chromatography was performed using all three stationary phases to purify PA protein. Quantitative SDS-PAGE analysis of effluent fractions showed that the purity of PA protein was higher for membrane adsorbers than the HiTrap™ DEAE FF resin column and was the same for the new AEX membrane and Sartobind^® D membrane adsorbers. The effects of E. coli lysate load volume and volumetric flow rate on PA protein separation resolution using the membrane adsorbers were minor, and the peak elution profile remained un-changed even under conditions where >75% of the total protein dynamic binding capacity of the membranes had been utilized. PA protein peak resolution was higher using pH-gradient elution than with ionic strength gradient elution. Overall, the results clearly demonstrate that membrane chromatography is a high-capacity, high-throughput, high-resolution separation technique, and that resolution in membrane chromatography can be higher than resin column chromatography under preparative conditions and at much higher volumetric throughput.     

Organomineral sorbents based on clinoptilolite-containing tuffs

The anion-exchange properties of a new organomineral sorbent obtained by modification of clinoptilolite-containing tuffs by polyhexamethyleneguanidine have been studied after different periods of storage (time after synthesis) and numbers of sorption-regeneration cycles. The sorbent can be used as a cation- and an anion-exchanger simultaneously. Selectivity coefficients (exchange constants) for F^–, SO₄ ^2–, and HPO₄ ^2– ionsvs. Cl^– ions on modified clinoptilolite-containing tuffs have been determined. The modification improves the mechanical properties of clinoptilolite tuffs.For part 1, see Ref. 1.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1554–1556, September, 1994.     

Preparation and pore-size control of hydrophilic monodispersed polymer microspheres for size-exclusive separation of biomolecules by the SPG membrane emulsification technique

This paper describes an experiment directed toward the preparation of monodispersed porous polymer microspheres with a diameter of ca. 50 m, which is applicable to the chromatographic separation of biomolecules such as proteins and peptides by size exclusion. Fairly monodispersed polymer microspheres were successfully prepared by suspension copolymerization of polyethylene glycol monomethacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as monomer and cross-linker, respectively. Monodispersed O/W emulsion was prepared by the SPG membrane emulsification technique, and was used in the subsequent droplet-swelling process in which monodispersed seed droplets were swollen by adsorbing the secondary emulsion droplets. The effects of the organic diluent in suspension polymerization and comonomer on the porous structure of the polymer microspheres were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and mercury-intrusion porosimetry, and the separation performances of polystyrene, polyethylene glycol, and various biomolecules by size-exclusion chromatography. As a result, it was evident that benzene, 1-butanol, and butyl acetate worked as nonsolvents for the polymer prepared in this study, and that polymer microspheres prepared with these solvents had larger pores. Size-exclusion chromatography revealed that the exclusive limiting molecular weight was 1.9×10⁵ when polystyrene was used as a standard polymer, and 3.5×10⁴ when polyethylene glycol was used as a standard polymer. Furthermore, we confirmed that the monodispersed polymer microspheres with defined pores clearly separated the six representative kinds of biomolecules with molecular weights ranging from 75 to 6.4×10⁵.