Covalent binding of aflatoxin B1 to liver DNA in rats pretreated with ethanol

Summary Male Fischer F-344 rats were given ethanol in the drinking water and/or by single oral administration. Following this, the animals received p.o. 100 ng/kg of the hepatocarcinogen [³H]aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁). 24 h later, the level of DNA-bound AFB₁ was determined in the liver and was found not to be affected by any type of ethanol pretreatment. A cocarcinogenic effect of ethanol in the liver is therefore unlikely to be due to an effect on the metabolic activation and inactivation processes governing the formation of DNA-binding AFB₁ metabolites.To whom correspondence should be addressed.Acknowledgment. We thank the European Science Foundation for the Toxicology Research Fellowship awarded to M.M.     

Effect of vitamin A deficiency on rat hepatic and colon epoxide hydrase

Summary Rat liver microsomes and homogenized mucosal linings prepared from vitamin A-supplemented and deficient male rats were used in metabolic studies of 7-³H-styrene oxide. The colon tissue in deficient animals exhibits a significantly higher value of V_max than the same tissue from vitamin-supplemented animals. The implications of this finding in addition to our earlier observation¹⁰ is discussed in relation to colon carcinoma.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by USPHS (NIEHS) Grant RO1 ES 00336 and RO1 CA 00270 and funds from Hoffman-La Roche Foundation Research Corporation.     

Elevated kidney glucosyltransferase activity in genetic prediabetic mice

Summary Glucosyltransferase activity in the renal cortex of genetic diabetic KK mice was significantly increased at 40 days of age when compared to that of Swiss albino and F₁ hybrid mice. This increase in enzyme activity in the absence of glucose intolerance can be regarded as an earlier genetic marker for the diagnosis of diabetic microangiopathy.Acknowledgments. This research was supported in part by the General Research Support Grant No. RR-05398 from the General Research Support Branch, Division of Research Resources, National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Health Training Grant No. 5-T01-AM-05617-06, Hope for Diabetics Foundation, Inc., and Pfizer Research Laboratories. Dr.R. A. Camerini-Davalos was a Career Scientist of the Health Research Council of the City of New York, and Drs.A. S. Reddi andC.A. Velasco were N. I. H. Trainees in Diabetes Mellitus during part of this study.     

Sperm enzyme activity analysis in individual sperm for detection of heritable mutations in mammals

Summary Male mice were injected i.p. with 2.5 mg/kg mitomycin C, 100 mg/kg ethyl nitrosourea or saline and mated with untreated virgin females five weeks later. Sperm from 64 of the F₁ male progeny were analyzed histochemically for acrosin, succinic dehydrogenase and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity. The frequency of F₁ males with sub-normal sperm enzyme activity was significantly higher among progeny from treated males than in controls. These results show that analysis of sperm enzyme activity in F₁ males is a practical method for detection of transmitted mutations induced in a treated parent.We gratefully acknowledge USPHS, NIEHS grant 1 RO1 ES02607-02 and technical assistance by G. M. Oldford.     

Manganese prolongation of pentobarbital hypnosis in the male rat

Summary Following manganese treatment, pentobarbital hypnosis was prolonged in male rats. The maximal effect occurred from 1 to 3 days following manganese treatment and the threshold dose was found to be 3 mg Mn⁺⁺/kg (i.p.).Acknowledgments. This work was supported by NIEHS Research Grant ES-02425. These data were submitted as part of a Ph.D. thesis to Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, by M.J. Deimling.     

Production and characterization of antibodies cross-reactive with major aflatoxins

Antibodies cross-reactive with 4 major aflatoxins were demonstrated three weeks after immunization of rabbits with an immunogen which was prepared by conjugating aflatoxin B₃ to bovine serum albumin. Aflatoxin B₃ was first converted to its hemisuccinate before conjugation to the protein. Tritiated aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) was used as the marker ligand both for antibody titer determination as well as for analysis of antibody specificity. Competitive RIA revealed that the antibodies have good cross-reactivity with aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂ when tritiated AFB₁ was used as the marker ligand. The concentrations causing 50% inhibition of binding of³H-AFB₁ to the antibodies by unlabeled aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, G₂ and B₃ were found to be 0.25, 3.34, 0.32, 4.0 and 0.53 ng/assay, respectively. The antibodies could be used for simultaneous analysis of aflatoxins B₁ and G₁, two of the most important toxic metabolites produced byAspergillus flavus andA. parasiticus.     

The metabolism of the soil fumigant 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane in the rat

Summary The soil fumigant 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (I) undergoes hydrolysis in the rat to a series of epoxide metabolites. Alkylation of glutathione by these epoxides produces 2 urinary metabolites identified as the mercapturic acids VI (R=COCH₃) and VII (R=COCH₃). Hydrolysis of the epoxides produces the male antifertility agentsa-chlorohydrin (IX, X=Cl) anda-bromohydrin (IX, X=Br) which are oxidatively metabolized to oxalic acid (XII), thus causing renal damage. These metabolic pathways can explain the toxic nature of the fumigant as a carcinogen, a male chemosterilant and as an agent causing kidney damage.This work was supported in part by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.     

Influence of PGA1 on cartilage growth

Summary Using the Fell technique of organ culture of cartilage in a chemically defined medium, it has been shown that prostaglandin A₁ at a concentration of 25 g/ml caused chondrocyte death in chick embryonic limb rudiments. An equimolar concentration of PGE₂ was not toxic to the cells.Acknowledgments. We are grateful for the support of C. J. K. by the Medical Research Council and of D. L. G. by the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council for Research. Our thanks are due to Dame Honor Fell, F. R. S. for invaluable advice and guidance, to Dr J. Pike (Upjohn Co.) for supplies of prostaglandin A₁, and to Dr Sylvia Fitton-Jackson for the gift of culture medium.     

Octopamine and proctolin mimic spontaneous membrane depolarisation inLucilia larvae

Summary Octopamine and proctolin at concentrations below 10^–8 M reversibly induce a spontaneous rhythmic depolarization which occurs in body-wall muscles ofLucilia larvae. The effect appears to be postsynaptic and mediated by receptors specific for each substance.This work was supported by NIEHS grant No. ES00814 and EPA grant No. R804345.     

Ferredoxin reductase catalyzes styrene oxidation to styrene oxide

Summary The flavoprotein ferredoxin reductase catalyzed the oxidation of styrene to styrene oxide in the presence of NADPH. This reaction was inhibited by the addition of catalase and superoxide dismutase. The addition of the nonheme iron protein ferredoxin partially inhibited styrene oxidation. H₂O₂ was also able to catalyze this reaction when added to the enzyme in the absence of NADPH.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by C.N.R. (National Research Council), Rome, Italy contract No. 79.03197.04.     

Effect of iron and hemoproteins on hydrogen peroxide-supported styrene oxidation to styrene oxide

Summary Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ and their complexes with EDTA and hemin, methemalbumin and methemoglobin were active catalyzers of H₂O₂ supported styrene oxidation to styrene oxide. Methemoglobin was the most active compound; its peroxidative activity was comparable to that of cytochrome P-450 in liver microsomes of phenobarbital-treated rats. Cumene hydroperoxide supported styrene oxidation with methemoglobin and microsomal hemoproteins and was found to be more efficient than H₂O₂.This work was supported by C.N.R. (National Research Council) contract No. 79.03197.04.     

Enantiomeric cannabinoids: stereospecificity of psychotropic activity

Summary The 1,1-dimethylheptyl homolog of (–)-(3R,4R)-7-hydroxy-delta-6-tetrahydrocannabinol (compoundII) is highly psychotropic in mice, rats and pigeons. The (+)-(3S,4S) enantiomer (III) was found to be psychotropically inactive at doses up to several thousand times those of the ED₅₀ of (II).We thank Dr A. Breuer and Mrs H. Amsalem for help with the syntheses. The research reported above was supported in Tucson by NIH grant NS 15441; in Uppsala by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (5757) and the Swedish Council for the Planning and Coordination of Research (84/2082); in Jerusalem by the Szold Foundation.Presented in part at a meeting at the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, Washington, D.C., October 1986, see NIDA Research Monographs79 (1987) 15.     

The inhibitory effect of paraquat on histamine and isoproterenol induced changes of cyclic nucleotides in rat lung slices

Summary The incubation of rat lung slices with paraquat ion (10^–4 M) had no effect on cAMP and cGMP levels of the rat lung slices. The preincubation with the same concentration of paraquat inhibited the cAMP elevating effect of histamine (10^–5 M) and isoproterenol (10^–5 M) and reduced the cGMP level to approximately 50% of the level obtained without preincubation with paraquat.This work was supported by the Research Grant No. 5 R01 HL 19720-03 from NHLI Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington, D.C.     

Dexamethasone-induced neutrophilia. Negative correlation with increased plasma adrenaline concentrations

Summary Maximal increments in adrenaline and dexamethasone (DXM) plasma concentrations were observed c15 (T₅₀ 40 min) and 30 (T₅₀ 210–240 min) minutes after an i.v. DXM dose (6 mg/m² BSA) in man. There appears, however, to be no direct interaction between these agents in the development of induced neutrophilia, which occurs c240 min postinjection.Acknowledgments. The authors wish to thank Mrs C. Ditzler, Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, USA, for determining the plasma dexamethasone concentrations J. M. M. is currently on sabbatical leave from McGaw Laboratories, USA. C. R. B. is a Rhodes scholar.     

Metabolism of 1,3,7-trimethyldihydrouric acid in the rat: New metabolic pathway of caffeine

Summary [1-CH₃-¹⁴C] 1,3,7-trimethyldihydrouric acid which, in quantity, is the most important caffeine metabolite, was isolated and purified from the urine of rats fed with [1-CH₃-¹⁴C] caffeine. The oral administration of this metabolite to rats showed that 1,3,7-trimethyldihydrouric acid was excreted unchanged in urine and was therefore an end product of caffeine metabolism. This result implies a new metabolic pathway of caffeine.     

The influence of lithium on serum ceruloplasmin

Summary Serum ceruloplasmin oxidase activity did not change in mice treated orally for 120 days with Li₂CO₃ (0.58 mEq/kg/day). After a single i.p. injection of LiCl (20 mEq/kg), a significant activation of ceruloplasmin was observed.R. R. A. is working with a research grant from the Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas (National Research Council of Brasil).     

Changes in body temperature produced by injecting prostaglandin E1, EGTA and bacterial endotoxins into the PO/AH region and the medulla oblongata of the rat

Résumé La prostaglandine E₁ a causé de l'hyperthermie si on l'injectait dans la région préoptique/hypothalamique antérieure/des rats et de l'hypothermie au niveau de la région médullaire oblongue. L'EGTA, le Piromen et le vaccin typhoïdes ont rarement causé des changements parallèles dans la température rectale si on les injectait dans les deux régions cérébrales.

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This research was supported by PHS Research Grant No. 1-R01-NS-10046-01 from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. We thank Dr.J. Pike of Upjohn Laboratories for supplying the PGE₁.

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Medical student fellow in Psychiatry. Supported by the Hogg Foundation and PHS Grant No. 5 TO2 MH 5928 from the National Institute of Mental Health.     

An alkali resistant factor with B12 activity for protozoa and man

Résumé Un facteur, résistant à l'alcali et thermostable, peut être extrait du sérum de l'homme, du foie de buf et des bactéries thermophiles. Ce facteur ressemble à la vitamine B₁₂ par son activité chez le protozaire et l'homme. Il peut résister 30 min à la temp. de 118–121°C en autoclave, dans un milieu contenant l'alcali, pH 11.5–12. Ce facteur caractéristique est distinct de la vitamine B₁₂, de l'hydroxycobalamine, de la coenzyme B₁₂, de l'acide folique, de l'acide folinique, et de l'érythropoïétine.

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These studies were supported by NIH Grants A-4437 (C1); C-4956 (C2); H-4530 (C2); and Clinical Research Center Grant OG-17R1; and a Grant from the National Vitamin Foundation.     

Butterfly wing antineoplastic agents

Zusammenfassung Eine Voruntersuchung der Insektengruppe Lepidoptera auf anti-tumor-aktive Stoffe führte zu einer detaillierten chemischen Prüfung der aus Asien stammenden SchmetterlingeCatopsilia crocale Cramer (Pieridae) undPieris rapae cruavora. Ein bedeutender Teil der Anti-Tumor-Aktivität scheint ihren Ursprung in der chemischen Substanz Isoxanthopterin zu besitzen.

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The present contribution represents Part XXVII of the series Antineoplastic Agents. For Part XXVI refer toG. R. Pettit, J. F. Day, J. L. Hartwell andH. B. Wood, Nature, Lond.227, 962 (1970).

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This investigation was supported by Public Health Service Research Grants No. CA-10612-01 to No. CA-10612-04 from the National Cancer Institute, and was presented in part at the American Chemical Society Meeting, Washington, D.C., September 1971. We are also grateful to the National Science Foundation for financial assistance (Grant numbers GB-4939 and GB-6979) used in obtaining the Atlas CH-4B and SM-1B mass spectrometers employed in this study.     

Antineoplastic agents 32. The pseudoguaianolide helenalin

Zusammenfassung Aus der PflanzeHelenium autummnale (Familie compositae) wurde ein alkolischer Extrakt gewonnen, der cytotoxische und antileukämische Aktivität zeigte und die Helenalin (I) als wirksame Komponente enthielt. Die Behandlung von Mäusen, die Träger von P 388 lymphocytischer Leukämie waren, ergab eine beachtliche (T/C 220) Verlängerung ihrer Lebenserwartung. Die Substanz zeigte ausserdem einen wachstumshemmenden Einfluss auf das Walker 256 Karzinom. Helenalin ist das erste Sesquiterpen vom Pseudoguaianolid Typ, welches in vivo eine solche antineoplastische Aktivität zeigt.

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For part 31, refer toG. R. Pettit, P. Traxler andC. P. Pase, Lloydia36, in press (1973).

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This investigation was supported by Public Health Service Research Grants No. CA-10612-01 to No. CA-10612-04 from the National Cancer Institute and was performed pursuant to contract No. NCI-C-71-2308 with the Division of Cancer Treatment, National Cancer Institute, Department of Health, Education and Welfare. A grant from the C.S.I.R. (South Africa) to G.M.C. is also gratefully acknowledged. In addition, we are indebted to Dr.L. Johnston for identifying theHelenium autumnale, toBetty J. Abbot and her colleagues at the National Cancer Institute, for the biological studies, and toJ. F. Day for assisting with both the laboratory scale and preparative scale plant extraction procedures.