Polarographic investigations on the complexation of cadmium and zinc by thiol peptides

Complex formation of Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ with thiol derivatives has been investigated by differential pulse polarography. The binding of Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ with cysteine (CySH), glutathione (GSH) and the model peptide N‐acetyl‐cysteine‐methylamide (ASH) reveals different stoichiometry. Thus, Cd²⁺ forms 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with CySH while 1:2 and 1:4 complexes have been observed with GSH and ASH, respectively. Overall formation constants of Cd²⁺ with CySH (Iogβ ₂ 15.3) and with GSH (Iogβ5₂ 14.4) have been estimated using competitive complexation with nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). Investigation of competition between Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ for the thiol complexation has underlined the role played by the amino group in CySH for the stabilization of Zn complexes in contrary to Cd complexes.     

Large plasmids governing multiple resistances to heavy metals: A genetic approach∗

Gram negative bacteria classified as Alcaligenes eutrophus and carrying large resistance plasmids (generally two) were found in various industrial sites highly contaminated by heavy metals (Zn⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺,...). These strains were detected by DNA hybridization with a probe made with a 9kb fragment (ccz⁺ fragment) encoding for resistances to Cd⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺ and Zn⁺⁺, and cloned from plasmid pMOL30. This plasmid was isolated from the representative strain A. eutrophus CH34 which harbours the plasmids pMOL30 (240 kb) and pMOL28 (165 kb). Phenotypes related to pMOL28 and pMOL30 include the tolerance to Cd⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺, Cr0₄ ⁼, Cu⁺⁺, Hg⁺⁺, Ni⁺⁺, Pb⁺⁺ and Zn⁺⁺. The described genetic properties of these plasmids refer to some cloned or mapped functions and to some plasmid rearrangements. Plasmid pMOL85 (250 kb) which is related to pMOL30 was also described. Its host (A. eutrophus DS185) was isolated from a zinc desert. pMOL85 can efficiently self transfer in plasmidfree derivatives.     

Heavy metals in coastal sediments in Guipuzcoa (Spain)∗

Surficial sediment samples were wet digested (HNO₃‐HCI‐HF) and analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The background values in the area, and the Pollution Index Load in the sampling points were calculated. Metal inputs of continental origin are specially important in Deva, Oria and Urola river mouths.     

Biotransformation rates of xenobiotic compounds in relation to enzymes activities: A critical review

Many biotransformation reactions and many activities of enzymes involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics in fish have been described. Therefore, the prediction of biotransformation of (other) xenobiotics through literature data seems to be possible. However, very few data allow correlation of in vitro enzyme activities with in vivo biotransformation rates. This is mainly due to a lack of quantitative data. Suggestions are made for future research, which may help to relate enzyme activities and biotransformation in fish.     

Indoor air pollution: A review∗

Relationships between toxicities of substituted aromatic hydrocarbons to Daphnia magna and to Fathead minnows or Photobacterium phosphoreum were studied based on structure‐activity equations we established. Good relationships between toxicities of chemicals to Daphnia magna and to Fathead minnows, Photobacterium phosphoreum were found for a wide range of chemicals. The toxicity data of fish can be predicted by the toxicity data of Daphnia magna or Photobacterium phosphoreum. It is probable that the toxicities of chemicals to the three organisms are similar.     

Databanks of data sources for environmental chemicals

There exist a vast variety of data sources, either manual sources or computerized databases in the field of environmental chemicals. To facilitate the access and to retrieve the information wanted efficiently, we built up two “databanks of data sources”, one called “Databank of Manual Sources (DMAS)” and the other named “Databank of Databases (DADB)”. The set‐up of these databanks is explained and the load status statistics are shown. DMAS has 164 and DADB 106 hits.     

Effects of the level of dietary protein on the toxicity of hexachlorocyclohexane in rats

Male albino rats were fed for 28 days from weaning on diets containing 5% (group 1), 10% (group 2) and 21% (group 3, normal protein) protein as casein. At the end of dietary period, HCH was administered daily for 30 days to investigate the interaction between protein deficiency and pesticide toxicity. The results indicated that rats fed a lower protein diet and HCH had a higher mortality, lower rate of growth, increased liver weight and deposition of the pesticide in blood and tissues in larger amounts. Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) was significantly increased and the heart rate showed tachycardia in low protein exposed animals. A significant increase of total lipids, cholesterol, triglycirides, free fatty acids in serum and tissues of animals exposed to low protein was observed. A close correlation existed between lipid accumulation and storage of HCH in tissues and dietary protein seemed to play an important role in detoxification.     

Synthesis of 2,5‐diaryl‐2,4‐pentadienenitriles and their spectral,fluorescence and mutagenic properties

The condensation of substituted cinnamaldehydes and arylacetonitriles using sodium ethoxide in ethanol at room temperature afforded 2,5‐diaryl‐2,4‐pentadienenitriles in good yield. The structure of the reaction products was established on the basis of their infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis data. Two representative compounds were studied for their mutagenic activity. One of them showed a weak mutagenicity while the second showed a high mutagenic activity in TA97a Salmonella strain. Both were negative in TA100. Some of these pentadienenitriles showed fluorescence in solutions.     

Electron microscopy documenting the cellular metabolic fate of Zn IONS∗

In vertebrates and invertebrates Zn exist as complexed compounds with metallothioneins. However, its cellular level effects and metabolic fates are scantly documented. In the elucidation of this fact, EM results on hepatic cellular alterations in fish under lethal dose exposure at 4.0 ppm over a week is illustrated.

A large number of lysosomes in hepatic cells prevailed on exposure to Zn in its sulfate form. Evidently, due to metal compound stress and cellular damage lysosomal activity is augmented. The lysosomes harboured digestible material, presumably the aforementioned substrates. Contrary to it, fat droplets prevailed while glycogen depletion is noticeable. Unlike the effects of Hg, the nuclei were normal with granular chromatin and prominent nucleoli. However, the mitochondria contained some small intramitochondrial bodies. Similar to the effects of Hg, the cell membrane remained intact.

In vivo enzymatic studies indicated augmentation in catalase, acid‐ and alkaline‐phosphatases, while glucose‐6‐phosphatase is inhibited. However, only alkaline‐ and glucose‐6‐phosphatases are inhibited under in vitro conditions.

Thus, it is evident that Zn enhances cellular bioenergetic requirements culminating in glycogen depletion owing to stress, concomitantly envisaging inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation in the electron transport system.     

Rapid liquid chromatographic analysis of Metoclopramide in pharmaceutical preparations

A sensitive, accurate and reproducible method for the analysis of metoclopramide, a gastrointestinal drug, has been described. An isocratic HPLC elution method was employed which requires about 10 minutes to be performed. The concentration of metoclopramide hydrochloride preparations was found to be 95.1 ±0.3% and 94.21 ±0.25% in tablet and injection formulations, respectively.