不同浓度的5-氮杂胞苷对RPMI 8226细胞系的诱导凋亡作用分析

目的:探讨不同浓度的5-氮杂胞苷对RPMI 8226细胞系的诱导凋亡作用.方法:对RPMI 8226细胞系采用5-氮杂胞苷0μmol/L、2μmol/L、5μmol/L、10 μrnol/L、20 μmol/L、50 μmol/L处理24 h、48 h、72 h,并对RPMI 8226细胞系处理后进行刮痕实验,12h后对细胞迁移进行比较.结果:在作用24h、48h时,随着作用浓度的增加,RPMI-8226细胞的抑制率出现明显的增加,但在作用72 h时,我们发现10 μmol/L、20μmol/L、50μnol/L其对RPMI-8226细胞的抑制效果无明显的差异性;刮痕实验后12h后其出现差异性,其中药物浓度越大其对RPMI-8226细胞的运动迁移能力越弱.结论:DNA甲基化转移酶抑制剂5-氮杂胞苷可对RPMI-8226细胞的凋亡具有良好的诱导效果,同时可抑制RPMI-8226细胞的增殖以及迁移.     

硫化氢对家兔窦房结起搏细胞的电生理效应

本研究应用细胞内微电极技术,观察硫化氢(hydrogen sulfide,H2S)对家兔窦房结起搏细胞的电生理效应.结果表明:(1)NaHs(H2S供体)50、100、200 μmol/L浓度依赖地降低家兔窦房结起搏细胞4相去极化速率及起搏放电频率.(2)ATP敏感性钾(ATP-sensitive K ,KATP)通道阻断剂格列苯脲(glybenclamide,Gli,20 μmol/L)阻断NariS(100 μmol/L)的电生理效应.(3)预先应用起搏离子流(pacemaker currenL,If)通道阻断剂氯化铯(CsCl,2 mmol/L)对Naris(100μmol/L.)的电生理效应无影响.(4)胱硫醚-γ裂解酶(cystathionine γ-lyase,CSE)的不可逆抑制剂DL-propargylglycine (PPG,200 μmol/L)的家兔窦房结起搏细胞的动作电位参数无影响.以上结果提示,H2S对家兔窦房结起搏细胞有负性变时作用,这些效应可能与其开放KATP通道,增加K 外流有关,与If无关.本实验没有发现窦房结起搏细胞内有CSE催化产生的内源性H2S的合成.     

穴居狼蛛毒的某些组分对培养的人肺腺癌细胞(SPC-A1)的致伤作用

本实验观察了从新疆产穴居狼蛛（Lycosa singoriensis）的冻干毒腺中提取的粗毒及其经Sephadex G-25柱层析分离所得到的各组分对培养的人肺腺癌细胞的杀伤作用：①与对政党人胚的肺细胞、正常人淋巴细胞和红细胞相比,穴居狼蛛毒对培养的SPC-A1有明显的高杀伤作用。例如用于杀伤50%的SPC-A1细胞所需的粗毒浓度为25 μg/ml,而用于杀伤相同量正常人胚肺细胞和淋巴细胞所需的粗毒浓度分别为600-500 μg/ml,即使将粗毒浓度提高到2000 μg/ml,也只能杀伤40%左右的正常人的红细胞。②在粗毒的8个分离组分中,第Ⅲ、Ⅵ和Ⅷ组分表现出杀伤SPC-A1细胞的活性,尤以后两者为明显。③粗毒经100 ℃加热30分钟后,杀伤SPC-A1细胞的活力稍有下降,但组分Ⅳ和Ⅷ经同样的加温处理后,该活性不变,唯组分Ⅲ在加温后该活性完全丧失。     

甘草次酸抑制骨肉瘤细胞MG63增殖的NF-κB信号通路机制*

目的: 探讨甘草次酸抑制骨肉瘤细胞MG63增殖的机制。方法: 实验应用骨肉瘤细胞MG63作为研究对象,分5组。空白组、甘草次数组(50 μmol/L、100 μmol/L和200 μmol/L)、阳性对照组。每组6个复孔。空白组为不含有甘草次酸的DMEM的培养基,甘草次酸组分别加入50 μmol/L、100 μmol/L和200 μmol/L的甘草次酸,阳性对照组加入白藜芦醇(40 μmol/L)。将细胞接种于培养瓶内,当细胞进入生长平台期后使用0.1%的胰酶消化并按1×10⁶ cells/ml的密度接种于96孔板中,继续培养24 h。采用甲基四氮唑蓝检测细胞的增长率,Annexin V / PI双标记流式细胞术检测骨肉瘤细胞MG63的凋亡,蛋白质印迹法检测NF-κB蛋白的表达。结果: 与空白对照组相比,甘草次酸孵育24 h后,各组的骨肉瘤细胞G63增殖率明显降低 (P＜0.05)、凋亡细胞比例明显升高(P＜0.05);甘草次酸孵育48 h后,骨肉瘤细胞G63增殖率和NF-κB蛋白的相对表达量均明显降低(P＜0.05)、凋亡细胞比例明显升高(P＜0.05)。与阳性对照组比较,甘草次酸孵育24 h后,50 μmol/L甘草次酸组的细胞增殖率显著增高、100 μmol/L和200 μmol/L甘草次酸组的骨肉瘤细胞的增殖率显著降低(P＜0.05),甘草次酸孵育48 h后,50 μmol/L组和100 μmol/L组骨肉瘤细胞的增殖率显著升高,而200 μmol/组显著降低(P＜0.05);甘草次酸孵育24 h后,50 μmol/L、100 μmol/L和200 μmol/L组的骨肉瘤细胞的凋亡率均显著降低 (P＜0.05);而甘草次酸孵育48 h后,50 μmol/L、100 μmol/L组的骨肉瘤细胞的凋亡率也显著降低,而200 μmol/L组的凋亡率则显著升高。各剂量组间比较,200 μmol/L甘草次酸组的效果最佳,差异有显著性(P＜0.05);孵育48 h后,200 μmol/L甘草次酸组的效果无论在骨肉瘤细胞的增殖率还是凋亡比例其效果均优于阳性对照组(P＜0.05)。结论: 甘草次酸对骨肉瘤细胞G63增殖有抑制作用,其机制可能通过影响NF-κB信号通路,达到抑制骨肉瘤细胞MG63 增殖的作用。     

氧化胁迫对Alkalibacterium sp. F26防御酶和辅因子的影响

将一株能够高产过氧化氢酶的低度嗜盐嗜碱茵Alkalibacterium sp.F26作为模式微生物,采用高效液相色谱技术测定胞内代谢物浓度,研究氧化胁迫对其防御酶活性和辅因子的影响.研究结果表明:相比低浓度H2O2(＜1 mmol/L)胁迫,此菌株在高浓度H2O2(＞1 mmol/L)胁迫下的应答表现曼为明显:经3 mmol/L H2O2胁迫后胞内CAT酶活为106.54 U/mg protein,是对照产量的1.76倍;ATP浓度则从对照浓度20.55 μmol/L下降到17.80 μmol/L;NAD 浓度自对照样品的69.89 μmol/L减少至31.77 μmol/L.由于ATP和NAD 浓度的减少,相比未经过H2O2胁迫菌体.细胞能荷值EC从0.77降低至0.68,NADH/NAD 则从0.08增加至0.41.然而,这种应答机制在细胞受到低浓度H2O2的胁迫后并不明显:除发现100 μmol/L H2O2能够导致细胞防御机制的激活而使胞内ATP浓度相比对照有所增加的情况外,经50 μmol/L和500 μmol/L H2O2胁迫后胞内ATP水平从对照的22.69 μmol/L只下降到22.38 μmol/L和13.70 μmol/L;并且此种胁迫条件下NADH浓度变化也不显著.     

丝裂原活化蛋白激酶在人冠状动脉平滑肌细胞向三维纤维蛋白胶迁移中的作用

目的:观察三维纤维蛋白(Fb)胶对体外培养的人冠状动脉平滑肌细胞(HCASMC)的趋化作用及其信号转导机制.方法:采用胶原酶消化法培养HCASMC,倒置相差显微镜观察其向三维Fb胶中迁移的能力及ERK、p38、JNK信号通路对其迁移能力的影响.Western blot检测Fb对HCASMC p-ERK、p-p38和p-JNK表达的调控.结果:向Fb胶中迁移的HCASMC呈长梭型,细胞数量增加时形成环形管腔样结构.纤维蛋白原(Fg)浓度为0.8 g/L～6.4 g/L时,HCASMC向胶中迁移的数量呈浓度依赖性增加,并随培育时间的延长逐渐增多.用Western Blot分析显示Fb以时间依赖性方式诱导ERK、p38及JNK活化,三者的选择性抑制剂PD98059 50 μmol/L、SB20358010 μmol/L及SP600125 20 μmol/L可分别抑制其活化,但对HCASMC向胶中迁移的抑制能力不尽相同.PD9805950 μmol/L对HCASMC迁移无明显影响,而SB203580 10 μmol/L和SP600125 20 μmol/L均可抑制HCASMC向Fb胶迁移,且后者抑制作用更强.结论:Fb胶通过激活细胞JNK和p38(而不是ERK信号通路)促进HCASMC向Fb胶中迁移,这种机制可能在动脉粥样硬化血栓形成及再狭窄过程中发挥重要作用.     

ω-3脂肪酸对人滋养层细胞侵袭和血管生成的影响

摘要 目的：探讨ω-3脂肪酸对人滋养层细胞（HTR-8/SVneo）侵袭和血管生成的影响。方法：本实验设置了不同浓度二十碳五烯酸（EPA）和二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）处理组,依次为0、1、50和100 μmol/L EPA组;0、1、50和100 μmol/L DHA组。各组HTR-8/SVneo细胞分别用相应浓度的EPA和DHA培养48 h。然后通过CCK-8法检测细胞增殖,Matrigel Transwell实验检测细胞侵袭。使用EPA和DHA处理的HTR-8/SVneo细胞的上清液培养人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVEC）6 h,然后检测HUVEC的小管形成能力。通过qRT-PCR和Western blot检测HTR-8/SVneo细胞中三结构域蛋白22（TRIM22）、信号转导和转录激活因子1（STAT1）、p-STAT1（Tyr701）、基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP2）、MMP9和VEGF的表达。结果：与0 μmol/L EPA组或0 μmol/L DHA组相比,50 μmol/L EPA组、100 μmol/L EPA组、50 μmol/L DHA组和100 μmol/L DHA组的OD_450nm 、侵袭细胞数量、MMP2和MMP9的蛋白相对表达量均升高（P<0.05）。与0 μmol/L EPA组或0 μmol/L DHA组相比,50 μmol/L EPA组、100 μmol/L EPA组、50 μmol/L DHA组和100 μmol/L DHA组的相对小管长度和VEGF蛋白相对表达量均升高（P<0.05）。与0 μmol/L EPA组或0 μmol/L DHA组相比,50 μmol/L EPA组、100 μmol/L EPA组、50 μmol/L DHA组和100 μmol/L DHA组的TRIM22 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量均升高,而STAT1 mRNA相对表达量和p-STAT1 (Tyr701)蛋白相对表达量均降低（P<0.05）。结论：ω-3脂肪酸处理可促进滋养层细胞的侵袭性和血管生成,其机制可能与TRIM22的上调和STAT1活性的抑制有关。     

雷公藤单体T10对Aβ1-42所致PC12细胞凋亡的抑制作用

阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)是发病率最高的中枢神经系统退变性疾病.目前AD的病因不清,亦无有效的防治手段,其重要的原因是尚无适宜的AD模型.因此,本实验首先建立了PC12细胞系β淀粉样蛋白(p-amyloid,Aβ)细胞损伤模型,在此基础上,探讨了中药免疫抑制剂雷公藤单体T10对细胞的保护作用及其机制.首先用不同浓度的Aβ(5×10、5×10-3、5×10-2、5×10、5、50 μmol/L)与PC12细胞共孵育48 h,用MTT法检测细胞存活率.选取Aβ致使细胞存活率降低的浓度(0.5、5、50 μmol/L)与PC12细胞共孵育48 h,通过流式细胞仪检测凋亡细胞百分比.用1×10-11mol/L的T10预孵育PC12细胞48 h后,加入50μmol/L Ap共孵育48 h,亦用流式细胞仪检测凋亡细胞百分比,激光共聚焦显微镜检测细胞内钙离子浓度变化.结果显示,Aβ的浓度存50μmol/L时可使细胞存活率降低至55.1%,凋亡细胞比例显著增加,而1×10-11mol/L的T10可明显降低50 μmol/L Aβ诱导的PC12细胞死亡.50 μmol/L Aβ可促进PC12细胞胞外钙离子内流,1×10-11mol/L的T10对Ap诱导的胞外钙离子内流有抑制作用.这些观察结果表明T10对Ap导致的PC12细胞损伤具有明显的保护作用,其机制可能与抑制Aβ诱导的胞内钙离子浓度升高和细胞凋亡有关.     

槲皮素对乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435细胞的凋亡作用及机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨槲皮素对乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435细胞的凋亡作用,并探讨其作用机制。方法：采用活细胞计数法(CCK-8)测定槲皮素对乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435细胞增殖的作用,分别采用细胞划痕实验和Transwell实验测定槲皮素对乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435细胞迁移和侵袭的影响,采用流式细胞术测定槲皮素对乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435细胞凋亡的作用,采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)和免疫印迹法(West-blotting)测定槲皮素对乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435细胞Fas、FasL、Bcl-2和Bax mRNA和蛋白表达的影响。结果：槲皮素（50~200 μmol/L）作用乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435细胞 24 h、48 h和72 h对其增殖具有显著的抑制作用,并且呈浓度依赖性（P<0.05）;细胞划痕实验中槲皮素50 μmol/L和100 μmol/L可使乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435细胞划痕宽度较对照组显著增加（P<0.05）;Transwell试验中槲皮素50 μmol/L和100 μmol/L可使乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435穿膜细胞较对照组显著降低（P<0.05）;槲皮素50 μmol/L和100 μmol/L可使乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435细胞凋亡率较对照组显著升高（P<0.05）;槲皮素50 μmol/L和100 μmol/L可使乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435细胞中Bcl-2 mRNA表达较对照组显著降低（P<0.05）,Fas、FasL和Bax mRNA表达较对照组显著升高（P<0.05）;槲皮素50 μmol/L和100 μmol/L可使乳腺癌MCF-7和MDA-MB-435细胞中Bcl-2 蛋白表达较对照组显著降低（P<0.05）,Fas、FasL和Bax 蛋白表达较对照组显著升高（P<0.05）。结论：槲皮素可促进乳腺癌细胞的凋亡,可能与其通过作用Fas/FasL凋亡信号通路而激活外源性凋亡途径,通过作用Bcl-2凋亡信号通路而激活内源性凋亡途径有关。     

姜黄素联合西达本胺通过下调AKT磷酸化和上调p53表达调控SKM-1细胞增殖和凋亡

该文探讨了姜黄素联合西达本胺对SKM-1细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及其作用机制。体外培养SKM-1细胞,取对数生长期细胞用于后续实验。对照组予以常规培养,实验组分别用不同浓度(1、5、10、20、40 μmol/L)姜黄素、不同浓度(0.5、1、2、4、8 μmol/L)西达本胺和不同浓度(5、10 μmol/L)姜黄素联合不同浓度(0.5、1、2、4、8 μmol/L)西达本胺处理细胞,采用CCK-8法检测各组细胞增殖活性,CompuSyn软件计算联合指数(combination index,CI),流式细胞术检测各组细胞周期分布和凋亡情况,Western blot检测各组细胞CDK2、p16、Caspase-3、AKT、p-AKT、p53和γH2A.X的蛋白表达水平。结果显示,在检测浓度范围内,姜黄素和西达本胺以时间浓度依赖性的方式抑制SKM-1细胞的生长。联合使用时,5 μmol/L姜黄素与2 μmol/L西达本胺具有协同抑制细胞增殖的作用。流式细胞术结果显示,5 μmol/L姜黄素联合2 μmol/L西达本胺组的细胞周期明显阻滞于G_0/G_1期,细胞凋亡率显著高于对照组和单独用药组。Western blot结果显示,与对照组相比,联合用药组的CDK2蛋白表达水平和p-AKT/AKT比例显著下降,而p16、Caspase-3、p53和γH2A.X的蛋白表达水平显著增高。综上,姜黄素联合西达本胺可显著抑制SKM-1细胞增殖,阻滞细胞周期,并促进细胞凋亡,其机制可能与抑制AKT磷酸化和上调p53表达有关。     

Nucleotidase and DNase activities in Brazilian snake venoms

Among the myriad of enzymes present in animal venoms, nucleotidases and nucleases are poorly investigated. Herein, we studied such enzymes in 28 crude venoms of animals found in Brazil. Higher levels of ATPase, 5'-nucleotidase, ADPase, phosphodiesterase and DNase activities were observed in snake venoms belonging to Bothrops, Crotalus and Lachesis genera than to Micrurus genus. The venom of Bothrops brazili snake showed the highest nucleotidase and DNase activities, whereas that of Micrurus frontalis snake the highest alkaline phosphatase activity. On the other hand, the venoms of the snake Philodryas olfersii and the spider Loxosceles gaucho were devoid of most nucleotidase and DNase activities. Species that exhibited similar nucleotidase activities by colorimetric assays showed different banding pattern by zymography, suggesting the occurrence of structural differences among them. Hydrolysis of nucleotides showed that 1 mol of ATP is cleaved in 1 mol of pyrophosphate and 1 mol of orthophosphate, whereas 1 mol of ADP is cleaved exclusively in 2 mol of orthophosphates. Pyrophosphate is barely hydrolyzed by snake venoms. Phosphodiesterase activity was better correlated with 5'-nucleotidase, ADPase and ATPase activities than with DNase activity, evidencing that phosphodiesterases are not the main agent of DNA hydrolysis in animal venoms. The omnipresence of nucleotidase and DNase activities in viperid venoms implies a role for them within the repertoire of enzymes involved in immobilization and death of preys.     

Survey for potentially necrotizing spider venoms, with special emphasis on Cheiracanthium mildei

It has proven difficult to identify those spiders which cause necrotic lesions. In an effort to design a simple, inexpensive screening method for identifying spiders with necrotizing venoms, we have examined the venom gland homogenates of a variety of spider species for their ability to cause red blood cell lysis. Those venoms which were positive were further examined for the presence of sphingomyelinase D, and their ability to evoke necrotic lesions in the skin of rabbits. Sphingomyelinase D is known to be the causative agent of necrosis and red blood cell lysis in the venom of the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa), and our assumption was that this would be the same agent in other spider venoms as well. This did not prove to be the case. Of 45 species examined, only the venom of L. reclusa and Cheiracanthium mildei lysed sheep red blood cells. Unlike L. reclusa venom, however, C. mildei venom did not possess sphingomyelinase D nor did it cause necrotic lesions in the skin of rabbits. We present evidence suggesting that a phospholipase A2 is the hemolytic agent in C. mildei venom.     

ImKTx1, a new Kv1.3 channel blocker with a unique primary structure

Toxins from the venoms of scorpion, snake, and spider are valuable tools to probe the structure-function relationship of ion channels. In this investigation, a new toxin gene encoding the peptide ImKTx1 was isolated from the venom gland of the scorpion Isometrus maculates by constructing cDNA library method, and the recombinant ImKTx1 peptide was characterized physiologically. The mature peptide of ImKTx1 has 39 amino acid residues including six cross-linked cysteines. The electrophysiological experiments showed that the recombinant ImKTx1 peptide had a pharmacological profile where it inhibited Kv1.3 channel currents with IC(50) of 1.70 n± 1.35 μM, whereas 10 μM rImKTx1 peptide inhibited about 40% Kv1.1 and 42% Kv1.2 channel currents, respectively. In addition, 10 μM rImKTx1 had no effect on the Nav1.2 and Nav1.4 channel currents. Multiple sequence alignments showed that ImKTx1 had no homologous toxin peptide, but it was similar with Ca(2+) channel toxins from scorpion and spider in the arrangement of cysteine residues. These results indicate that ImKTx1 is a new Kv1.3 channel blocker with a unique primary structure. Our results indicate the diversity of K(+) channel toxins from scorpion venoms and also provide a new molecular template targeting Kv1.3 channel.     

青龙衣中细胞毒活性成分的研究

利用各种化学及色谱技术从青龙衣中分离得到11个化合物,通过理化性质和波谱学手段分别鉴定为2-羟基-1,4-萘醌(2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone,1)、5-羟基-1,4-萘醌(5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone,2)、2,5-二羟基-1,4-萘醌(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone,3)、3,5-二羟基-1,4-萘醌(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone,4)、5,8-二羟基-1,4-萘醌(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone,5)、5-甲氧基-1,4-萘醌(5-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone,6)、5,7-二羟基色原酮(5,7-dihydroxychromone,7)、异香草酸(isovanillic acid,8)、没食子酸(gallic acid,9)、β-谷甾醇(β-sitosterol,10)和β-胡萝卜苷(β-daucosterol,11)。化合物3、4、6～8为首次从该属植物中分离得到,化合物1为首次从该植物中分离得到。细胞毒活性测试结果表明,化合物3和4对HepG2细胞表现出强的抑制作用,IC50值分别为5.0±0.6μmol/L和7.0±0.5μmol/L;2和5能显著抑制HL-60细胞的增殖,IC50值分别为9.3±1.2μmol/L和2.3±0.2μmol/L。     

Visfatin impairs endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat and human mesenteric microvessels through nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase activity

Visfatin, also known as extracellular pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF) and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), is an adipocytokine whose circulating levels are enhanced in metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Circulating visfatin levels have been positively associated with vascular damage and endothelial dysfunction. Here, we investigated the ability of visfatin to directly impair vascular reactivity in mesenteric microvessels from both male Sprague-Dawley rats and patients undergoing non-urgent, non-septic abdominal surgery. The pre-incubation of rat microvessels with visfatin (50 and 100 ng/mL) did not modify the contractile response to noradrenaline (1 pmol/L to 30 μmol/L), as determined using a small vessel myograph. However, visfatin (10 to 100 ng/mL) concentration-dependently impaired the relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh; 100 pmol/L to 3 μmol/L), without interfering with the endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside (1 nmol/L to 3 μmol/L). In both cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and rat microvascular preparations, visfatin (50 ng/mL) stimulated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity, as determined by lucigenin-derived chemiluminiscence. The relaxation to ACh impaired by visfatin was restored by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin (10 μmol/L). Additionally, the Nampt inhibitor APO866 (10 mmol/L to 10 μmol/L), but not an insulin receptor-blocking antibody, also prevented the stimulation of NADPH oxidase and the relaxation impairment elicited by visfatin. Accordingly, the product of Nampt activity nicotinamide mononucleotide (100 nmol/L to 1 mmol/L) stimulated endothelial NADPH oxidase activity and concentration-dependently impaired ACh-induced vasorelaxation. In human mesenteric microvessels pre-contracted with 35 mmol/L potassium chloride, the endothelium-dependent vasodilation to bradykinin (1 nmol/L to 3 μmol/L) was equally impaired by visfatin and restored upon co-incubation with APO866. In conclusion, visfatin impairs endothelium-dependent relaxation through a mechanism involving NADPH oxidase stimulation and relying on Nampt enzymatic activity, and therefore arises as a potential new player in the development of endothelial dysfunction.     

Adenosine in the venoms from viperinae snakes of the genus Bitis: identification and quantitation using LC/MS and CE/MS

Snake venoms are rich sources of toxic proteins and small molecules. This study was directed at molecules of molecular mass below 1 kDa. Thirty different venoms, of either neurotoxic or haemorrhagic type, were fractionated using size-exclusion chromatography. Only venoms of the Puff adder (Bitis arietans), Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica), and Rhinoceros viper (Bitis nasicornis) exhibited large absorbance peaks at lambda(280 nm) in the total volume range of the chromatographic column indicating the presence of abundant low molecular mass material. Analysis of fractions containing this material using both HPLC and capillary electrophoresis interfaced with electrospray ion-trap mass spectrometry unequivocally established that the bioactive nucleoside, adenosine, was the major component. The concentrations of adenosine found (Puff adder--97.7 x 10(-6) mol L(-1); Gaboon viper--28.0 x 10(-6) mol L(-1); and Rhinoceros viper-56.8 x 10(-6) mol L(-1)) were above those required to activate all known sub-types of adenosine receptors. Adenosine may thus act at the site of envenomation causing local vasodilatation and may play a role in the subsequent systemic hypotension observed.     

Regulation of cellular glutathione peroxidase by different forms and concentrations of selenium in primary cultured bovine hepatocytes

The expression and activity of cellular glutathione peroxidase (GPx1) are regulated by selenium (Se). Generally speaking, organic forms of Se have less toxicity and greater bioavailability compared with inorganic forms. In this study, the effects of different forms and concentrations of Se on the regulation of mRNA level and activity of GPx1 in bovine hepatocytes were evaluated, and the optimal doses of different forms of Se that supported the full expression of GPx1 were determined. Primary cultured bovine hepatocyte monolayers derived from neonatal male Holstein calves (aged 1–2 days) were incubated for 24 h with 0 (control), 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 or 5 μmol/L of Se from dl-selenomethionine (Se-Met), sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) or Kappa-selenocarrageenan (Se-Car). Compared with controls, a significantly lower level of release of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was observed at 0.5–5 μmol/L of Se-Met, 0.5–1 μmol/L of Na₂SeO₃ and 0.5 μmol/L of Se-Car, but significantly higher LDH release was observed at 2–5 μmol/L of Na₂SeO₃ and 3–5 μmol/L of Se-Car, and the response occurred in a dose-dependent manner. The intracellular content of reduced glutathione in all hepatocytes treated with Se was significantly lower than that of controls. Significant increases in GPx1 mRNA were obtained in all hepatocytes treated with Se, with maximal effects at 3 μmol/L of Se-Met, 1.5 μmol/L of Na₂SeO₃ and 2 μmol/L of Se-Car, respectively. Furthermore, 3 μmol/L of Se from Se-Met resulted in peak levels of GPx1 mRNA. After reaching a maximal level, higher Se supplementation led to a reduction of GPx1 mRNA. The activity of GPx1 showed similar patterns but of lower magnitude. We conclude that (a) the regulation of mRNA level and activity of GPx1 in primary cultured bovine hepatocytes by different forms of Se varies and (b) the optimal doses of Se to support the full expression of GPx1 in bovine hepatocytes when supplied as Se-Met, Na₂SeO₃ and Se-Car are 3, 1.5 and 2 μmol/L, respectively.     

The channel-forming component of the Theridiidae spider venom neurotoxins

It is known that Steatoda (Lityphantes) paykulliana and Latrodectus mactans tredecimguttatus spider venoms are toxic to mammals and insects. These venoms act presynaptically eliciting massive release of transmitters. They also form channels in bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) that are selective for cations. Venoms of both spider species were fractionated by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-100 column. The fraction obtained were tested on neuromuscular preparations of frog and locust and on BLM. A fraction of low molecular weight components (about 5000 daltons and less) was disclosed. This fraction showed presynaptic and channel-forming effects similar to those of crude venoms and of high molecular weight toxin fractions, obtained simultaneously from these venoms. It was shown that channels formed in BLM by crude venoms and its different fractions are identical. Also, it was found that the low molecular weight channel-forming component is a construction element of high molecular weight toxins. On the basis of data obtained a toxin structure model of the Theridiidae family spider venoms was proposed.     

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of some steroidal lactams

Using cholesterol as starting material, a series of 6-substituted-3-aza-A-homo-3-oxycholestanes and 6-substituted-4-aza-A-homo-3-oxycholestanes were synthesized by the oxidation, reduction, oximation, Beckman rearrangement and condensation reaction. These synthesized compounds displayed a distinct cytotoxicity against MGC 7901, HeLa and SMMC 7404 cancer cells. Our results revealed that the structures of functional groups at position-6 on the steroidal ring are crucial for the IC₅₀ value of antiproliferative activities of these compounds and the cytotoxic activity against MGC 7901 and SMMC 7404 cells was not significantly different between 4-N-lactams and 3-N-lactams when its 6-substituted group was a carbonyl or a hydroximino, but all 3-N-lactams showed a higher cytotoxicity against HeLa cells than 4-N-lactams. In particular, compounds 6, 8, 9 (IC₅₀6: 6.5 μmol/L; 8: 7.7 μmol/L; 9: 5.6 μmol/L) were even more cytotoxic than cisplatin to HeLa cells (positive contrast, 10.1 μmol/L). The information obtained from the studies may be useful for the design of novel chemotherapeutic drugs.