Immobilization stress increases endogenous monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor in rat liver

Although the physiological role of endogenous monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor still remains unclear, the present study examined whether or not immobilization stress (IMMO) induce MAO inhibitor. An endogenous inhibitor of MAO was separated by gel filtration from 105,000 g supernate in rat liver cytosol following IMMO. The molecular weight of this inhibitor was estimated to be 500-600 by gel filtration. This inhibitor was proved to be heat-stable resistant to protease treatment. IMMO for 2 h significantly decreased MAO. These results suggest that this inhibitor is induced by IMMO. MAO activity in rat liver might be regulated by the level of this inhibitor.     

Design, synthesis and inhibitory activities of 8-(substituted styrol-formamido)phenyl-xanthine derivatives on monoamine oxidase B

The design and synthesis of two series of 8-(substituted styrol-formamido)phenyl-xanthine derivatives are described. Their in vitro monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibition were tested and the effect of substituents on the N-7, phenyl and the substituted positions are discussed. It was observed that compound 9b displayed significant MAO-B inhibition activity and selectivity, fluorine substitution plays a key role in the selectivity of MAO-B inhibition, and the styrol-formamido group at position-3' may enhance the activity and selectivity of 8-phenyl-xanthine analogues. These results suggest that such compounds may be utilized for the development of new candidate MAO-B inhibitors for treatment of Parkinson's disease.     

Structural studies on sugar chains of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin from patients with alcoholic liver disease using lectin affinity electrophoresis

It is well-known that microheterogeneity of human serum transferrin observed in alcoholics manifests as sialic acid-deficient transferrin isoforms, otherwise known as carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT). A recent study demonstrated that serum CDT lacked one or both of the entire carbohydrate chains but the investigation required several troublesome procedures. The aim of the present study was to confirm the sugar chain structures of serum transferrin, and of serum CDT in particular, from patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) using conventional lectin affinity electrophoresis which might be useful in the clinical setting. The serum CDT obtained from ALD-patients was partially purified using an anion exchanger. Serum transferrin and the partially purified serum CDT were investigated by concanavalin A (Con A)- and Datura stramonium agglutinin (DSA)-affinity electrophoresis followed by antibody-affinity blotting and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with Western blotting. By Con A-affinity electrophoresis, serum CDT was separated into weakly reactive and nonreactive transferrins which showed slower electrophoretic mobilities than those from the healthy controls. Moreover, nearly all of the serum CDT was nonreactive with DSA. On SDS-PAGE, the molecular masses of serum CDT were estimated to be approximately 75 and 72 kDa, which corresponded to those of partially and completely deglycosylated transferrin obtained from the healthy controls (78 kDa), respectively. In conclusion, these results indicated that the sugar chain structures of serum CDT from patients with ALD show not merely a loss of terminal sialic acids, but also the absence of asparagine-N-linked oligosaccharides.     

The oxidation of 1-alkyl(aryl)quinolinium chlorides with rabbit liver aldehyde oxidase

1-Alkyl(aryl)quinolinium chlorides are oxidized by rabbit liver aldehyde oxidase at positions C-2 and C-4. The site and the maximum rate of oxidation are dependent on the size and the steric conformation of the N-1 substituent. The presence of a 3-carboxamido group directs the oxidation completely to position C-4, irrespective of the size of the N-substituent. Application of covalent amination in liquid ammonia as an “enzyme model” for the oxidation of these compounds shows little resemblance.     

Studies on the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory potency of TL-1, isolated from a fungus, Talaromyces luteus

The compound tentatively named TL-1 was isolated from Talaromyces luteus as a metabolite having monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory potency. TL-1 showed mixed-type inhibition of MAO in mouse liver when kynuramine was used as a substrate, and the IC50 was 6.6 microM. The inhibition constants (Ki) for MAO-A and -B in mouse liver were 39.9 and 7.85 microM, respectively. On the other hand, the Ki values for MAO-A and -B in mouse brain were 74.0 and 0.71 microM, respectively. Despite the marked structural resemblance between TL-1 and 7-episclerotiorin, the latter compound had little inhibitory effect on MAO.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of two copper(II) complexes with Schiff bases

Two azido-coordinated Schiff base Cu(II) complexes with the formulae [Cu(L1)(N₃)]·MeOH and [Cu(L2)(μ_1,1-N₃)] _n , where L1 is the deprotonated form of 2-chloro-2-[(2-ethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol, and L2 is the deprotonated form of 2,4-dibromo-6-[(2-dimethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol, have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The X-ray crystal structures of both complexes have been determined. The Cu atom in [Cu(L1)(N₃)]·MeOH is four-coordinate in a square planar geometry, while [Cu(L2)(μ_1,1-N₃)] _n is five-coordinate with a square pyramidal geometry. The molecules in [Cu(L1)(N₃)]·MeOH are linked by intermolecular O–H···O and N–H···O hydrogen bonds, forming dimers. The molecules in [Cu(L2)(μ_1,1-N₃)] _n are linked through end-on azido bridges, forming one-dimensional chains. The xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of both complexes were evaluated.     

Determination of glutamate-pyruvate transaminase activity in blood serum with a pyruvate oxidase/poly(vinyl chloride) membrane sensor

Pyruvate oxidase (E.C. 1.2.3.3.) is immobilized by adsorption on a wet PVC membrane. Glutamate-pyruvate transaminase activity (5–1600 IU l^?1) in serum is determined by a pyruvate oxidase sensor consisting of the immobilized pyruvate oxidase coupled to a platinum electrode for measuring hydrogen peroxide, after an l-alanine—α-ketoglutarate reaction. The assay requires ?60 s, and has a precision of 2–3%. Endogenous pyruvate should not interfere if measurements are made > 30 s after starting the reaction.     

A template-based mnemonic for monoamine oxidase (MAO-N) catalyzed reactions and its application to the chemo-enzymatic deracemisation of the alkaloid (+/-)-crispine A

A template-based mnemonic has been developed for the enzyme monoamine oxidase from Aspergillus niger and has been used to successfully identify the alkaloid (+/-)-crispine A as a target for chemo-enzymatic deracemisation yielding the biologically active (R)-enantiomer in 97% e.e.     

Expression patterns of antioxidant proteins in brains of patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease

Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and Western blot analysis, we were able to identify and quantify six antioxidant proteins, peroxiredoxin (Prx) I, Prx II, Prx III, 1-Cys Prx, putative peroxisomal antioxidant enzyme (PLP), and mitochondrial Mn superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) in two individual brain regions, cerebellum and frontal cortex of patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob (sCJD). Among six antioxidant proteins, 1-Cys Prx showed significant increase (P > 0.05) in sCJD frontal cortex whereas Prx I was decreased (P > 0.01). In cerebellum, levels of all antioxidant proteins studied were comparable to those of controls. Our findings provide evidence for the link between aberrant expression of antioxidant proteins, 1-Cys Prx and Prx I and CJD neuropathogenesis and we discuss the neuropathological meaning of these dysregulated antioxidant proteins in sCJD brain.     

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of blood serum in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health challenge with a gloom perspective of being one of the big three cause of death by 2020. No reliable/reproducible biomarker has been identified so far to match the clinically-based staging system (GOLD). Blood samples of 30 subjects divided into 6 groups (no-COPD/-smoker, no-COPD/non-smoker, COPD I, COPD II, COPD III, COPD IV) with 5 patients in each were tested by differential scanning calorimetry. There is a clear 15.4 % difference between the heat flow maxima measured when no-COPD subjects were compared in accordance to their smoking/non-smoking status. Odds ratio of different heat flow in actively smoking COPD patients in stage IV and stage I was 1.61. A reverse tendency is detected in the relevant non-smoking COPD groups. The differences are inconsistent in intermediate stages (COPD II and III). DSC seems to be an applicable and objective method for monitoring nicotine abuse. There is a chance to detect specific typology of thermokinetic patterns in the two extremes of COPD (I vs. IV). Further studies with increased sample size are needed to allow calculations on specificity/sensitivity/positive and negative predictive value of enthalpies and heat flow maximums. The first clinically relevant blood-based COPD marker on the intravascular side of the alveo-capillary screen is demonstrated by our pilot study.     

Comparative study of codon substitution patterns in foot-and-mouth disease virus (serotype O)

We compared genetic variations in the VP1 gene of foot-and-mouth disease viruses (FMDVs) isolated since 2000 from various region of the world. We analyzed relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) and phylogenetic relationship between geographical regions, and calculated the genetic substitution patterns between Korean isolate and those from other countries. We calculated the ratios of synonymously substituted codons (SSC) to all observed substitutions and developed a new analytical parameter, EMC (the ratio of exact matching codons within each synonymous substitution group) to investigate more detailed substitution patterns within each synonymous codon group. We observed that FMDVs showed distinct RSCU patterns according to phylogenetic relationships in the same serotype (serotype O). Moreover, while the SSC and EMC values of FMDVs decreased according to phylogenetic distance, G + C composition at the third codon position was strictly conserved. Although there was little variation among the SSC values of 18 amino acids, more dynamic differences were observed in EMC values. The EMC values of 4- and 6-fold degenerate amino acids showed significantly lower values while most 2-fold degenerate amino acids showed no significant difference. Our findings suggest that different EMC patterns among the 18 amino acids might be an important factor in determining the direction of evolution in FMDV.     

B cell-associated immune profiles in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)

Most of the previous studies on immune dysregulation in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have focused on T cell immunity. We investigated B cell subpopulations in ESRD patients and the effect of hemodialysis (HD) on B cell-associated immune profiles in these patients. Forty-four ESRD [maintenance HD patients (n = 27) and pre-dialysis patients (n = 17)] and 27 healthy volunteers were included in this study. We determined the percentage of B cell subtypes, such as mature and immature B cells, memory B cells, and interleukin (IL)-10+ cells, as well as B cell-producing cytokines (IL-10, IL-4 and IL-21) by florescent activated cell sorting (FACS). B cell-associated gene expression was examined using real-time PCR and B cell producing cytokines (IL-10, IL-4 and IL-21) were determined using an enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The percentage of total B cells and mature B cells did not differ significantly among the three groups. The percentages of memory B cells were significantly higher in the pre-dialysis group than in the HD group (P < 0.01), but the percentage of immature B cells was significantly lower in the pre-dialysis group than in the other groups. The percentages of IL-10-expressing cells that were CD19+ or immature B cells did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the two subgroups within the ESRD group, but the serum IL-10 concentration was significantly lower in the pre-dialysis group (P < 0.01). The results of this study demonstrate significantly altered B cell-associated immunity. Specifically, an imbalance of immature and memory B cells in ESRD patients was observed, with this finding predominating in pre-dialysis patients.     

Interference of adenylate kinase (AK) with creatine kinase (CK) determination in sera of patients with acute liver cell damage

Conclusion The results have shown that after liver TX a considerable fraction (up to 36%) of apparent CK activity may consist of uninhibited L-AK activity. This inaccuracy can roughly be estimated by measuring a serum blank. This is recommended, if ASAT activity is higher than 15 × URL and GLDH activity is clearly elevated, especially with CK activity near the decision limit.

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Adenylat-kinase (AK) als Störfaktor bei der Bestimmung der Kreatin-Kinase (CK) in Seren von Patienten mit akutem Leberzellschaden

     

Simultaneous determination of acidic,basic and alcoholic substances relating to monoamine hormones and metabolites in biological material by mass fragmentography (GC/MF)

A method is described for the simultaneous quantitative determination of monoamines and related compounds from urine and brain tissue samples in the pg-range, using a GC/MF instrument LKB-2091 provided with a multiple ion detection (MID) system and capillary columns. The simultaneous detection of “fingerprints” with fourteen and more compounds during one single GC run was achieved after the intoduction of “time gates” for the detection of the different characteristic masses. Several modifications to the LKB equipment permitted exact reproducibility of retention times, which is essential for the use of “time gates”. The detection of “fingerprints” with these acidic, basic and alcoholic substances was achieved by the extraction of the dried biological samples with silylating agents.     

Utilization of metabolomics to identify serum biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis

Characterizing the metabolic changes pertaining to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis is believed to contribute towards early detection, treatment, and understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HCC. In this study, we compare metabolite levels in sera of 78 HCC cases with 184 cirrhotic controls by using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–QTOF MS). Following data preprocessing, the most relevant ions in distinguishing HCC cases from patients with cirrhosis are selected by parametric and non-parametric statistical methods. Putative metabolite identifications for these ions are obtained through mass-based database search. Verification of the identities of selected metabolites is conducted by comparing their MS/MS fragmentation patterns and retention time with those from authentic compounds. Quantitation of these metabolites is performed in a subset of the serum samples (10 HCC and 10 cirrhosis) using isotope dilution by selected reaction monitoring (SRM) on triple quadrupole linear ion trap (QqQLIT) and triple quadrupole (QqQ) mass spectrometers. The results of this analysis confirm that metabolites involved in sphingolipid metabolism and phospholipid catabolism such as sphingosine-1-phosphate (S-1-P) and lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC 17:0) are up-regulated in sera of HCC vs. those with liver cirrhosis. Down-regulated metabolites include those involved in bile acid biosynthesis (specifically cholesterol metabolism) such as glycochenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulfate (3-sulfo-GCDCA), glycocholic acid (GCA), glycodeoxycholic acid (GDCA), taurocholic acid (TCA), and taurochenodeoxycholate (TCDCA). These results provide useful insights into HCC biomarker discovery utilizing metabolomics as an efficient and cost-effective platform. Our work shows that metabolomic profiling is a promising tool to identify candidate metabolic biomarkers for early detection of HCC cases in high risk population of cirrhotic patients.     

Kinetics of oxidation ofcis-, andtrans-chlorobis(ethylenediamine)isothiocyanatocobalt(III)ion with peroxodisulphate in aqueous alcoholic mixtures

Summary The effect of organic cosolvent on the rate constants and activation parameters of oxidation of coordinativelybound thiocyanate with peroxodisulphate was investigated in mixtures of water with methanol,i-propanol andt-butanol. The thermodynamic transfer functions, corresponding to the transfer of reactants and activated complex from water to the solvent mixtures were evaluated from kinetic measurements and from the solubilities of corresponding salts. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of the solvation of both the initial state and the activated complex.