Synthesis of alkali metal hexahydroaluminate complexes using dimethyl ether as a reaction medium

A novel method of preparation of hexahydroaluminate complexes M₃AlH₆ (M = Li, Na or K) from the corresponding alkali metal hydride and tetrahydroaluminate has been explored, using dimethyl ether (Me₂O) as a solvent at near-ambient temperatures. The results are compared with those obtained using a recently established mechanochemical approach. Characterization of the products by powder X-ray diffraction revealed M₃AlH₆ to be formed in high yield for M = Li and Na, but not for M = K. The attempted preparation of Li₂NaAlH₆ and Li₂KAlH₆ was unsuccessful.     

Substrate-dependent inhibition of yeast enolase by fluoride

A possibly physiologically significant inhibition of yeast enolase by fluoride occurs in the absence of inorganic phosphate. The inhibition increases with time, is strongly dependent on fluoride concentration and requires substrate and “catalytic” Mg²⁺. The inhibition increases more slowly in the presence of product (phosphoenolpyruvate) than substrate (2-phosphoglycerate). The dependence on fluoride concentration and the spans of substrate analogue displacement titrations suggest the inhibition is produced by two moles of fluoride per active site.     

The effects of monocyte-conditioned medium and interleukin 1 on the synthesis of collagenous and non-collagenous proteins by mouse bone and human bone cells in vitro

Cultural adherent human mononuclear cells produce factor(s) which stimulate the release of calcium from new-born mouse calvaria in organ culture. This stimulation of bone resorption is accompanied by an inhibition of the incorporation of [³H]proline into collagen which is independent of increased prostaglandin production by the bone. When human osteoblast-like cells are treated with conditioned medium from human mononuclear cells, collagen accounts for a decreased proportion of the protein synthesised. This effect on matrix synthesis is not accompanied by an inhibitory action of the monocyte-conditioned medium preparations on net cell proliferation. In human osteoblast-like cell cultures, partially purified human interleukin 1 also inhibits the production of the bone-specific protein osteocalcin in a dose-dependent fashion. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that products of human monocytes similar to, or identical with, human interleukin 1 may be important regulators of bone metabolism and may contribute to the bone loss seen in diseases such as chronic rheumatoid arthritis.     

A Comparison of Bone Mineral Density and Its Predictors in HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Older Men

ObjectiveBone health in older individuals with HIV infection has not been well studied. This study aimed to compare bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score (TBS), and bone markers between HIV-infected men and age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched HIV-uninfected men aged ≥60 years. We investigated the associations of risk factors related to fracture with BMD, TBS, and bone markers in HIV-infected men.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 45 HIV-infected men receiving antiretroviral therapy and 42 HIV-uninfected men. Medical history, BMD and TBS measurements, and laboratory tests related to bone health were assessed in all the participants. HIV-related factors known to be associated with bone loss were assessed in the HIV-infected men.ResultsThe mean BMD, TBS, and osteopenia or osteoporosis prevalence were similar among the cases and controls. The HIV-infected men had significantly higher mean N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen levels. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that low BMI (lumbar spine, P = .015; femoral neck, P = .018; and total hip, P = .005), high C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen concentration (total hip, P = .042; and TBS, P = .010), and low vitamin D supplementation (TBS, P = .035) were independently associated with low BMD and TBS.ConclusionIn older HIV-infected men with a low fracture risk, the mean BMD and TBS were similar to those of the age- and BMI-matched controls. The mean bone marker levels were higher in the HIV group. Traditional risk factors for fracture, including low BMI, high C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen level, and low vitamin D supplementation, were significant predictors of low BMD and TBS.     

Recent progress on obtaining theoretical and experimental support for the “E-pathway hypothesis” of coupled transmembrane electron and proton transfer in dihaem-containing quinol:fumarate reductase

Reconciliation of apparently contradictory experimental results obtained on the quinol: fumarate reductase (QFR), a dihaem-containing respiratory membrane protein complex from Wolinella succinogenes, was previously obtained by the proposal of the so-called E-pathway hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, transmembrane electron transfer via the haem groups is strictly coupled to co-transfer of protons via a transiently established, novel pathway, proposed to contain the side chain of residue Glu-C180 and the distal haem ring-C propionate as the most prominent components. This hypothesis has recently been supported by both theoretical and experimental results. Multiconformation continuum electrostatics calculations predict Glu-C180 to undergo a combination of proton uptake and conformational change upon haem reduction. Strong experimental support for the proposed role of Glu-C180 in the context of the “E-pathway hypothesis” is provided by the effects of replacing Glu-C180 with Gln or Ile by site-directed mutagenesis, the consequences of these mutations for the viability of the resulting mutants, together with the structural and functional characterisation of the corresponding variant enzymes, and the comparison of redox-induced Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectra for the wild type and Glu-C180 → Gln variant. A possible haem propionate involvement has recently been supported by combining ¹³C-haem propionate labelling with redox-induced FTIR difference spectroscopy.     

Dimethyl fumarate: Regulatory effects on the immune system in the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an important oral treatment option for various autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and psoriasis. DMF and its dynamic metabolite, monomethyl fumarate (MMF) are the major compounds that exert therapeutic effects on several pathologic conditions in part, through downregulation of immune responses. The exact mechanism of DMF is yet to be fully understood even though its beneficial effects on the immune system are extensively studied. It has been shown that DMF/MMF can affect various immune cells, which can get involved in both the naive and adaptive immune systems, such as T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells. It is suggested that DMF/MMF may exert their effect on immune cells through inhibition of nuclear factor-κB translocation, upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2(E2)-related factor antioxidant pathway, and activation of hydroxyl carboxylic acid receptor 2. In this review, the mechanisms underlying the modulatory functions of DMF or MMF on the main immune cell populations involved in the immunopathogenesis of MS are discussed.     

定量比格犬血浆中去甲文拉法辛LC-MS/MS方法的建立及比格犬血浆中富马酸去甲文拉法辛药代动力学研究

目的:建立一种快速灵敏的液质联用方法定量比格犬血浆中去甲文拉法辛,并进行比格犬体内富马酸去甲文拉法辛药代动力学研究,同时与琥珀酸去甲文拉法辛比格犬体内药代参数进行对比。方法:样品处理采用叔丁基甲醚进行液液萃取,液相分离采用Agilent Eclipse Plus C18色谱柱(2.1 mm×100 mm,3.5μm),以乙腈-乙酸铵缓冲液(1 mmol/L)(体积比80∶20)进行等度洗脱。采用单次给药和多次给药试验进行比格犬体内药代动力学研究。结果:此方法具有良好的线性、精密度、准确度,定量下限(0.5 ng/mL)高于文献报道。液液萃取的样品提取方法简便,液质联用分析时间相对较短(3 min)。结论:此方法可成功地应用于比格犬血浆中去甲文拉法辛定量分析。比格犬体内富马酸去甲文拉法辛的药代参数(单次给药和多次给药试验)与对照品琥珀酸去甲文拉法辛没有明显的统计学差异。     

The use of dimethylsulfoxide as a solvent in enzyme inhibition studies: the case of aldose reductase

Aldose reductase (AR) is an enzyme devoted to cell detoxification and at the same time is strongly involved in the aetiology of secondary diabetic complications and the amplification of inflammatory phenomena. AR is subjected to intense inhibition studies and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is often present in the assay mixture to keep the inhibitors in solution. DMSO was revealed to act as a weak but well detectable AR differential inhibitor, acting as a competitive inhibitor of the L-idose reduction, as a mixed type of non-competitive inhibitor of HNE reduction and being inactive towards 3-glutathionyl-4-hydroxynonanal transformation. A kinetic model of DMSO action with respect to differently acting inhibitors was analysed. Three AR inhibitors, namely the flavonoids neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, rutin and phloretin, were used to evaluate the effects of DMSO on the inhibition studies on the reduction of L-idose and HNE.     

Extraction of peroxidase from bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) by three phase partitioning with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as organic phase

Three phase partitioning (TPP) is most renowned technique used for extraction and purification of natural products. In previous studies of TPP, t-butanol is mainly used as an organic phase. This is the first report that explores ability of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) in the field of TPP as an alternate solvent for t-butanol. In the present study TPP process with t-butanol and DMC as organic phase along with different salts was applied to waste bitter gourd powder to obtained peroxidase enzyme. DMC was found to be compatible with most of salts such as ammonium sulphate and sodium citrate and explored as more efficient solvent than t-butanol. This TPP system provides 4.84 fold purity of peroxidase enzyme at optimum source concentration of 0.15 g/mL, with a system comprising DMC as organic phase, sodium citrate (20%) as salt, agitation speed 120 rpm, pH 7, temperature 30 °C and extraction time of 3 h. Present study has aimed for extraction and separation of peroxidase from bitter gourd waste with TPP technique and ensures the scope of carbonated solvents in extraction and purification of proteins.