Liquid chromatography analysis of N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine in biological samples by ThioGlo 3 derivatization

N-(2-Mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (MPG) is a synthetic aminothiol antioxidant that is used in the treatment of cystinuria, rheumatoid arthritis, liver and skin disorders. Recent studies have shown that MPG can function as a chelating, cardioprotecting and a radioprotecting agent. Several other studies have shown that it may also act as a free radical scavenger because of its thiol group. Thiol-containing compounds have been detected in biological samples by various analytical methods such as spectrophotometric and colorimetric methods. However, these methods require several milliliters of a sample, time-consuming procedures and complicated derivatization steps, as well as having high detection limits. The present study describes a rapid, sensitive and relatively simple method for detecting MPG in biological tissues by using reverse-phase HPLC. With ThioGlo 3 [3H-Naphto[2,1-b] pyran, 9-acetoxy-2-(4-(2,5-dihydro-2,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl) phenyl-3-oxo-)] as the reagent, highly fluorescent derivatives of thiols can be obtained that are suitable for HPLC. MPG is derivatized with ThioGlo 3 and is then detected flourimetrically by reverse phase HPLC using a C18 column as the stationary phase. Acetonitrile: Water (75:25) with acetic acid and phosphoric acid (1 mL/L) is used as the mobile phase (excitation wavelength, 365 nm; emission wavelength, 445 nm). The calibration curve for MPG is linear over a range of 10-2500 nM (r=0.999) and the coefficients of the variation of within-run and between-run precision were found to be 0.3 and 2.1%, respectively. The detection limit was 5.07 nM per 20 microL injection volume. Quantitative relative recovery of MPG in the biological samples (plasma, lung, liver, kidney and brain) ranged from 90+/-5.3 to 106.7+/-9.3 %. Based on these results, we have concluded that this method is suitable for determining MPG in biological samples.     

Simultaneous determination of 3-nitro tyrosine, o-, m-, and p-tyrosine in urine samples by liquid chromatography-ultraviolet absorbance detection with pre-column cloud point extraction

Stable 3-nitro tyrosine (3-NO(2)-Tyr), o-, m-, and p-tyrosine isomers induced by oxidation of tyrosine residues in protein were considered important biomarkers for the existence of toxic oxidizing agents peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) and OH*, which could lead to such diseases as acute lung injury, neurodegenerative disorders, atherosclerosis, cancers and many other diseases. Therefore, development of an accurate, simple and sensitive method to simultaneously detect o-, m-, and p-tyrosine and 3-NO(2)-Tyr is necessary. Fluorescence detection is highly sensitive to o-, m-, and p-tyrosine, but it cannot be used to detect 3-NO(2)-Tyr, due to the strong fluorescence-quenching characteristic of the NO(2) group. In this study, we developed a highly sensitive reversed HPLC-UV method, combined with pre-column cloud point extraction (CPE), to simultaneously determine o-, m-, and p-tyrosine and 3-NO(2)-Tyr. The procedure included derivatization of a sample with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxy-succinimidyl carbomate (AccQ) at 0.20 mol/l borate buffer (pH 8.80) for 30 min at 70 degrees C, and pre-concentration with surfactant cloud point extraction. The surfactant-rich phase was then diluted with deionized water and injected directly into the to HPLC column for analysis. A C(18) column (3.9 mm i.d. x 300 mm) was used for gradient elution separation at 25 degrees C and the detection wavelength was at 254 nm. Nineteen general amino acids showed no interference. The detection limits of p-, o-, m-Tyr and 3-NO(2)-Tyr were between 5 and 15 nmol/l. The linear range was from 0.05 to approximately 100 micromol/l.     

Salt stress effects on the photosynthetic electron transport chain in two chickpea lines differing in their salt stress tolerance

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of salt stress on the photosynthetic electron transport chain using two chickpea lines (Cicer arietinum L.) differing in their salt stress tolerance at the germination stage (AKN 87 and AKN 290). Two weeks after sowing, seedlings were exposed to salt stress for 2 weeks and irrigated with 200 ml of 200 mM NaCl every 2 days. The polyphasic OJIP fluorescence transient and the 820-nm transmission kinetics (photosystem I) were used to evaluate the effects of salt stress on the functionality of the photosynthetic electron transport chain. It was observed that a signature for salt stress was a combination of a higher J step (V_J), a smaller IP amplitude, and little or no effect on the primary quantum yield of PSII (φ_Po). We observed for AKN 290 a shorter leaf life cycle, which may represent a mechanism to cope with salt stress. For severely salt-stressed leaves, an inhibition of electron flow between the PQ pool and P700 was found. The data also suggest that the properties of electron flow beyond PSI are affected by salt stress.     

Photodimerizations of hydroxy- and benzoylated 4-azachalcones and quantum chemical investigation of the reactions

Photodimerization reactions of compounds 4–6 gave four new cyclobutane-containing compounds (7–9) with full control over the stereochemistry at the four stereogenic centers. These new cyclobutane-containing compounds had β-truxinic (7a), δ-truxinic (7b and 9), and ε-truxillic (8) structures. However, o-, m-, and p-hydroxy 4-azachalcones (1–3) did not give photochemical cyclization products under any conditions (in solvent or in their solid or molten states). Experimental data suggested the possibility of frontier orbital control over stereochemical behavior, so some theoretical calculations were performed. Full geometrical optimization of compounds 1–9 was performed via DFT B3LYP/6-31⁺G**, and their electronic structures were also investigated. The geometries of the singlet and triplet states were initially optimized by density functional theory (DFT) and the configuration interaction singles (CIS) B3LYP/3-21⁺G** level. An additional calculation was performed for the triplet state using the ground-state geometry. The possible photochemical dimerization products of compounds 7–9 (a–g) and the intrinsic reaction coordinates (IRCs) of the reactions of compounds 4–6 were calculated theoretically by the DFT/3-21⁺G** method. The configurations (reactant, transition state, product, and reaction pathway) corresponding to the stationary points (minima or saddle points) were determined. The intrinsic reaction coordinates were followed to verify the energy profiles that connect each TS to the appropriate local minimum. The dimeric products expected from the calculations coincided with the dimers produced experimentally.     

High performance liquid chromatography analysis of 2-mercaptoethylamine (cysteamine) in biological samples by derivatization with N-(1-pyrenyl) maleimide (NPM) using fluorescence detection

2-Mercaptoethylamine (cysteamine) is an aminothiol compound used as a drug for the treatment of cystinosis, an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. Because of cysteamine's important role in clinical settings, its analysis by sensitive techniques has become pivotal. Unfortunately, the available methods are either complex or labor intensive. Therefore, we have developed a new rapid, sensitive, and simple method for determining cysteamine in biological samples (brain, kidney, liver, and plasma), using N-(1-pyrenyl) maleimide (NPM) as the derivatizing agent and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detection method (lambda(ex)=330 nm, lambda(em)=376 nm). The mobile phase was acetonitrile and water (70:30) with acetic acid and o-phosphoric acid (1 mL/L). The calibration curve for cysteamine in serine borate buffer (SBB) was found to be linear over a range of 0-1200 nM (r(2)=0.9993), and in plasma and liver matrix, the r(2) values were 0.9968 and 0.9965, respectively. The coefficients of the variation for the within-run and between-run precisions ranged from 0.68 to 9.90% and 0.63 to 4.17%, respectively. The percentage of relative recovery ranged from 94.1 to 98.6%.     

The using of Gammarus pulex as a biomonitor in ecological risk assessment of secondary effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plant in Tunceli,Turkey

The objectives of this research are the assessment of secondary effluents (SEs) quality by evaluating chemical parameters and biomarkers. For this purpose, MDA and GSH levels were determined by spectrofotometer. SOD, CAT, and GP_X activities were determined by using ELISA kit in the groups of control and the groups exposed to SE. The level of MDA and the activities of SOD in Gammarus pulex vary depending on the exposure time. GSH levels and GSH-P_X activities increased in G. pulex exposed to the effluent compared to the control during 24 h and 96 h. CAT activities were in SE group were found lower than the control in G. pulex during 24 h and 96 h. Current experimental results show that SOD, CAT, GP_X activities, and GSH and MDA levels in G. pulex are sensitive and appropriate responses for assess the effects of anthropogenic contaminants on the aquatic ecosystems, particularly effluent complex mixtures.     

Thiol antioxidants protect human lens epithelial (HLE B-3) cells against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative damage and cytotoxicity

Oxidative damage to lens epithelial cells plays an important role in the development of age-related cataract, and the health of the lens has important implications for overall ocular health. As a result, there is a need for effective therapeutic agents that prevent oxidative damage to the lens. Thiol antioxidants such as tiopronin or N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine (MPG), N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and exogenous glutathione (GSH) may be promising candidates for this purpose, but their ability to protect lens epithelial cells is not well understood. The effectiveness of these compounds was compared by exposing human lens epithelial cells (HLE B-3) to the chemical oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) and treating the cells with each of the antioxidant compounds. MTT cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and levels of intracellular GSH, the most important antioxidant in the lens, were measured after treatment. All four compounds provided some degree of protection against tBHP-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity. Cells treated with NACA exhibited the highest viability after exposure to tBHP, as well as decreased ROS and increased intracellular GSH. Exogenous GSH also preserved viability and increased intracellular GSH levels. MPG scavenged significant amounts of ROS, and NAC increased intracellular GSH levels. Our results suggest that both scavenging ROS and increasing GSH may be necessary for effective protection of lens epithelial cells. Further, the compounds tested may be useful for the development of therapeutic strategies that aim to prevent oxidative damage to the lens.     

Liposomal-delivery of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors augments UT-15C-stimulated ATP release from human erythrocytes

The use of liposomes to affect targeted delivery of pharmaceutical agents to specific sites may result in the reduction of side effects and an increase in drug efficacy. Since liposomes are delivered intravascularly, erythrocytes, which constitute almost half of the volume of blood, are ideal targets for liposomal drug delivery.In vivo, erythrocytes serve not only in the role of oxygen transport but also as participants in the regulation of vascular diameter through the regulated release of the potent vasodilator, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Unfortunately, erythrocytes of humans with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) do not release ATP in response to the physiological stimulus of exposure to increases in mechanical deformation as would occur when these cells traverse the pulmonary circulation. This defect in erythrocyte physiology has been suggested to contribute to pulmonary hypertension in these individuals.In contrast to deformation, both healthy human and PAH erythrocytes do release ATP in response to incubation with prostacyclin analogs via a well-characterized signaling pathway. Importantly, inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) have been shown to significantly increase prostacyclin analog-induced ATP release from human erythrocytes.Here we investigate the hypothesis that targeted delivery of PDE5 inhibitors to human erythrocytes, using a liposomal delivery system, potentiates prostacyclin analog- induced ATP release. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that directed delivery of this class of drugs to erythrocytes could be a new and important method to augment prostacyclin analog-induced ATP release from these cells. Such an approach could significantly limit side effects of both classes of drugs without compromising their therapeutic effectiveness in diseases such as PAH.