Studies on metabolic extract of Altemaria alternata and toxicity

Altemaria alternata were isolated from wheat seeds collected from villages in Tianshui area of Gansu Province where Kaschin-Beck disease is prevalent. TLC, IR and UV analyses of metabolic extract of A. alternata show that A. alternata produce main secondary metabolites, including alternariol, alternariol methyl ether, and tenuazonic acid.There was a significant decrease in Se-GSH-Px and SOD activities, and an acceleration in lipid peroxidation in rats fed with a diet containing metabolites produced by A. alternata.     

壬基酚对赤子爱胜蚓的生态毒理学研究

环境激素对生态的影响越来越受到人们的重视。通过赤子爱胜蚓对壬基酚的滤纸接触法毒性试验,从分子水平揭示环境污染物对蚯蚓组织的毒性影响。在壬基酚对赤子爱胜蚓(Eiseniafoetida)的急性毒性试验中,测得72hLC50为0.908μg/cm2。在系列浓度的壬基酚暴露中,过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT),超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxidedismutase,SOD)和谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GlutathioneS-transferase,GST)的敏感性依次为CAT>SOD>GST。实验结果表明,这三种酶均可作为早期NP污染预警指标。     

Induction of glutathione reductase enzyme activity by β‐aminobutyric acid in plant leaves

Abstract

Treatment of pea and tobacco leaf discs with the resistance inducer DL‐β‐amino‐n‐butyric acid (BABA) led to a substantial induction of glutathione reductase (GR, E.C. 1.6.4.2.) enzyme activity. After exposure to 1 mM BABA for 96 hrs, the GR activities were 3.2‐fold and 2.9‐fold higher in pea and tobacco leaf discs, respectively, than GR activities in untreated controls. Elevated GR levels may contribute to the antioxidative protection of plants during pathogen attack.     

Carcinogen-Metabolizing Enzymes and Insecticides

Abstract

The present study was under taken to demonstrate the effect of some commonly used insecticides on the activity of cytochrome P450 system including cytochrome b5, aryl hydrocarbon [benzo(a)pyrene] hydroxylase (AHH), N-nirosodimethylamine N-demethylase I [NDMA-dI] and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase as phase I of drug oxidation. In addition, the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), and the level of glutathione (GSH) were determined in the liver of male mice after oral administration of sumithion, dursban, chlordane, methoxychlor, heptachlor epoxide, and lindane as single (24 h) or as repeated doses for six consecutive days. Oral administration of sumithion, dursban, chlordane, methoxychlore, and heptachlor epoxide as repeated doses decreased: (i) the hepatic content of cytochrome P450 by 36, 37, 47, 37, and 67%, respectively, (ii) AHH activity by 28, 29, 70, 31, and 79%, respectively, (iii) NDMA-dI activity by 43, 44, 32, 27, and 31, respectively. On the other hand, sumithion, chlordane, and methoxychlore induced the activity of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase by 45, 62, and 43 respectively after repeated dose treatments. In addition, single and repeated-dose treatments of mice with lindane induced; (i) cytochrome P450 by 23 and 65%, respectively, (ii) cytochrome b5 by 49 and 131%, respectively, (iii) AHH activity by 64 and 50%, respectively. Repeated-dose treatments of mice with chlordane, methoxychlore, and heptachlor epoxide decreased the GSH level by 42, 38, and 68%, respectively and GST activity by 44, 44, and 55% respectively. Moreover, single- and repeated-dose treatments of mice with lindane decreased the GSH levels by 40 and 54%, respectively, and induced GST activity by 25 and 41%, respectively. Interestingly, single-dose treatments with chlordane, methoxychlore, and heptachlor epoxide decreased the activity of GR by 32, 38, and 31, respectively whereas repeated doses of these compounds induced such activity by 83, 50, and 64%, respectively. It is concluded that modifications in cytochrome P450 system by pesticides could potentiate the toxicity and carcinogenicity of environmental carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and N-nirosodimethylamine (NDMA).     

Safening activity of natural hydroxamic acids and analogous compounds against herbicide injury to maize

Abstract

Safening activities of natural compounds DIMBOA, DIBOA, and MBOA, as well as synthetic 1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐ones were tested against acetochlor and EPTC injuries to maize. No safening activities of natural products and from low to moderate activity of synthetic benzoxazinones were observed. In order to explain inefficacy of natural compounds we studied the influence of these molecules on enzymes participating in metabolic detoxication of acetochlor and EPTC. Pretreatment with DIMBOA elevated maize cytochrome P450 levels. Pretreatments with chemicals containing 1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one backbone did not alter glutathione S‐transferase enzyme activities. However, all natural products inhibited glutathione S‐transferase activity of roots and shoots in vitro after addition to the enzyme. Safening ineffectiveness of natural hydroxamic acids may be explained by their inhibitory effects on GST enzymes due to their reaction with sulfhydryl groups on the enzyme.     

三氯杀螨醇对泥鳅血清GST和AChE活力的影响

生化指标能更灵敏地反映环境污染的状况和危害程度,日益成为环境领域研究的热点.为研究三氯杀螨醇对泥鳅生化指标的影响,将泥鳅暴露于含不同剂量三氯杀螨醇的人工沉积物中,在暴露24、48和96 h后采集泥鳅血液样本,测定血清中谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)和乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的活力.结果表明:泥鳅在人工沉积物中暴露24和96...     

真鲷去毒相关基因cDNA序列的克隆与肝脏组成型表达分析

赤潮发生时产生的一些海洋生物毒素对人类和海洋动物的安全形成潜在的威胁甚至导致死亡.为从分子水平探讨鱼类中海洋藻毒素的去毒分子机理,采用RT-PCR法克隆了真鲷(Pagrus major)肝脏芳香烃受体核转位蛋白(ARNT)和I时相异生素代谢酶细胞色素P4501A(CYP1A)基因cDNA核心序列,同时,应用半定量RT-PCR方法,以β-肌动蛋白作为外参照,在其指数期增长的范围内研究了芳香烃受体(AHR)、ARNT、CYP1A、II时相异生素代谢酶alpha型谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTA1、GSTA2)、rho型谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTR)、热休克蛋白70(HSP70)基因组成型表达水平.结果发现,真鲷ARNT、CYP1A基因cDNA核心序列片段分别长438bp和908bp,分别编码146和302个氨基酸.序列同源性分析发现,真鲷与门齿鲷(Stenotomus chrysops)、石首鱼(Micropogon undulatus)ARNT基因氨基酸序列同源性高达97.2%、95.2%,与斑马鱼(Brachydanio rerio)、人、大鼠、小鼠ARNT同源性较低(77.2%～79.3%).真鲷与门齿鲷、金头鲷(Sparus auratus)、欧洲川鲽(Rhombus maximus)、欧洲海鲈(Dicentrachus labrax)CYP1A基因氨基酸序列同源性较高,为84.8%～94.0%,与斑马鱼、人、小鼠CYP1A同源性较低,为59.6%～77.8%.真鲷肝脏AHR、ARNT、CYP1A、GSTA1、GSTA2、GSTR和HSP70基因组成型表达水平分别为(25.32±6.56)%、(26.22±4.24)%、(146.5±16.06)%、(55.42±3.75)%、(48.82±10.89)%、(79.47±3.13)%、(107.42±14.34)%.     

Acrylamide-induced disturbance of the redox balance in the chick embryonic brain

This study was undertaken to determine the redox balance in the developing brain after exposure to acrylamide (ACR), a potent neurotoxin. The studies were performed using an in ovo chick embryo model. The antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPx, CAT, and reduced glutathione (GSH) were used as indicators of the redox balance. Eggs were injected with ACR doses of 40 mg kg^?1 egg mass (2.4 mg egg^?1) on embryonic day 17 (E17). The activity of the antioxidant enzymes and the concentration of GSH were measured at E17, E18, and E19 in the medulla oblongata, cerebrum, cerebellum, and optic lobe. The results indicated a significant decrease in the GSH concentrations in the optic lobe (E19, E20) and cerebrum (E20) of embryos exposed to ACR. The activities of SOD and GPx were significantly increased in the majority of the examined structures after injection of ACR. CAT activity was completely inhibited in the brains of the embryos exposed to ACR compared to that in the brains of the control embryos. Thus, we concluded that ACR exerts a significant influence on the redox balance in the developing brain by impacting the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of GSH.     

Determination of the mechanism of photoinduced toxicity of selected metal oxide nanoparticles (ZnO, CuO, Co3O4 and TiO2) to E. coli bacteria

Cytotoxicity of selected metal oxide nanoparticles(MNPs)(ZnO,CuO,Co 3 O 4 and TiO 2)was investigated in Escherichia coli both under light and dark conditions.Cytotoxicity experiments were conducted with spread plate counting and the LC 50 values were calculated.We determined the mechanism of toxicity via measurements of oxidative stress,reduced glutathione,lipid peroxidation,and metal ions.The overall ranking of the LC 50 values was in the order of ZnO < CuO < Co 3 O 4 < TiO 2 under dark condition and ZnO < CuO < TiO 2 < Co 3 O 4 under light condition.ZnO MNPs were the most toxic among the tested nanoparticles.Our results indicate depletion of reduced glutathione level and elevation of malondialdehyde level correlated with the increase in oxidative stress.Released metal ions were found to have partial effect on the toxicity of MNPs to E.coli.In summary,the dynamic interactions of multiple mechanisms lead to the toxicity of the tested MNPs to E.coli.     

“活性甲醛”与甲醛远距离毒性的初步研究

甲醛是否具备远距离毒性(distant-site toxicity)是揭示甲醛与白血病关系的关键问题.本研究采用DPC、MTT实验方法检测甲醛的远距离毒性,结果发现当把等剂量的甲醛与GSH联合作用对细胞进行染毒后细胞内产生的DPC系数比单独同剂量的甲醛组要高很多,在MTT实验中发现在单独甲醛组中加入等量的GSH后细胞活性也出现了显著下降;在动物实验中,当对小鼠肝染毒后脑组织中也同样出现了损伤.说明甲醛在机体内与GSH形成了结合物,这种结合物可能协助甲醛完成跨膜并进入到局部组织再次释放出游离态甲醛,实现了甲醛的远距离毒性,这种结合态的甲醛称之为"活性甲醛".