Color reaction of cholesterol with trichloracetic acid and antimony trichloride. On the reaction mechanism

The color reaction of cholesterol with trichloracetic acid and antimony trichloride was examined to elucidate its reaction mechanism. 3,5-Cholestadiene, 3,3'bis(3,5-cholestadiene), 3,3'bis(2,4-cholestadiene), and cholesteryl trichloroacetate were isolated as the reaction products from the colored reaction mixture of cholesterol, and the first three compounds were found to be responsible for the coloration. It was assumed that cholesterol was dehydrated to 3,5-cholestadiene and 2,4-cholestadiene, which were dimerized to 3,3'-bis(3,5-cholestadiene) and 3,3'-bis(2,4-cholestadiene), respectively, and 3,3'-bis(2,4-cholestadiene) was in part converted to 3,3'-bis(3,5-cholestadiene) in trichloroacetic acid and antimony trichloride. The free radicals were detected in the colored solutions of choelsterol, 3,5-cholestadiene, 3,3'-bis(3,5-cholestadiene), and 3,3'-bis(2,4-cholestadiene), and inferred to be the radical cations of the steroids. The radical cation was postulated to be responsible with respect to the mechanism of the coloration. The relationship between the color reagent and the formation of dimeric steroids was described.     

Studies on the visual pigment and the indicator yellow analogues formed from 5,6-monoepoxyretinal

1. A new visual pigment has been isolated from retinae of rats maintained on 5,6-monoepoxyretinal for a period of 6 months. 2. Indicator yellow analogues from 5,6-monoepoxyretinal, namely 5,6-monoepoxyretinylidenemethylamine and 5,6-monoepoxyretinal oxime, have been prepared in a homogeneous state, the latter being obtained crystalline. 5,6-Monoepoxyretinylidenedimethylammonium iodide has also been prepared. 3. The spectroscopic properties, analytical data and antimony trichloride colour reactions of these indicator yellow analogues confirm their Schiff base structure. 4. The nature of chromogens formed from 5,6-monoepoxyretinylideneamino compounds with antimony trichloride and concentrated sulphuric acid is obscure although the chromogens resemble one another very closely. 5. 5,6-Monoepoxyretinylidenemethylamine and 5,6-monoepoxyretinylidenedimethylammonium iodide are very labile, whereas 5,6-monoepoxyretinal oxime is quite stable. 6. Hydrolysis of 5,6-monoepoxyretinylidenemethylamine as a function of pH reveals that, though 5,6-monoepoxyretinylidenemethylammonium ions are stable, the un-ionized compound readily hydrolyses to 5,6-monoepoxyretinal. This hydrolysis can be prevented by excess of un-ionized methylamine and hastened by formaldehyde. 7. The bathochromic shift in the λ_max. of the `acid form' of 5,6-monoepoxyretinylidenemethylamine is due to the formation of its ammonium salt. The spectrum of the `acid form' is identical with that of 5,6-monoepoxyretinylidenedimethylammonium iodide in ethanol. This is also evidence for the quaternary state of the nitrogen atom during the `acid shift' of 5,6-monoepoxyretinylidenemethylamine. 8. The significance of 5,6-monoepoxyretinal and the corresponding indicator yellow analogues in the formation and properties of a new visual pigment is discussed.     

Acid-catalysed dehydration of dehydroretinol

1. Treatment of dehydroretinol with hydrogen chloride in light petroleum or toluene-p-sulphonic acid in benzene produces a substance with u.v.-absorption maxima at 284, 296, 310, 350, 368, 388, 408 and 433nm. and antimony trichloride colour maximum at 620nm. This compound is tentatively named compound 433 after its absorption maximum at 433nm. 2. Treatment of dehydroretinol with ethanolic hydrogen chloride produces, besides 3-ethoxyanhydroretinol, some compound 433 also. 3. Compound 433 is present in several freshwater-fish liver oils. 4. The i.r. spectrum of compound 433 shows only a band attributable to a conjugated ethylenic system. 5. The course of changes that lead to the formation of compound 433 is discussed.     

The synthesis of imidodiphosphoric acid derivatives as potential substrates in the pyrophosphorolysis reaction

The preparation conditions for dichlorophosphinylphosphorimidic trichloride were optimized. It was used in the synthesis of esters of imidodiphosphoric acid. The interaction of the trichloride with amines resulted in the corresponding amidodiphosphates rather than in the expected amides of imidodiphosphoric acid.     

Cytotoxic effects of antimony trichloride on mice in vivo.

Clastogenic effects of antimony trichloride, used in small industries, were monitored in laboratory bred white Swiss mice in vivo, following oral administration by gavaging, after 6, 12, 18 and 24 h. Chromosomal aberrations were principally breaks and damaged cells observed from bone marrow preparations. The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations were directly related to the dose used and were significantly higher than the control. The chemical did not alter the frequency of dividing cells to any significant level.     

Schiff bases formed from retinal and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, ethanolamine or serine

1. Conditions were established for the reaction of retinal with phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, ethanolamine and serine in chloroform, ethanol or ethanol–water solutions to form retinylidene compounds, or Schiff bases. 2. The Schiff bases were reduced to retinyl compounds with sodium borohydride. 3. Absorption maxima and molar extinction coefficients were determined for the various retinylidene and retinyl compounds and for the corresponding coloured products formed by their reaction with antimony trichloride.     

The synthesis of imidodiphosphoric acid derivatives as potential substrates in the pyrophosphorolysis reaction

The preparation conditions for dichlorophosphinylphosphorimidic trichloride were optimized. It was used in the synthesis of esters of imidodiphosphoric acid. The interaction of the trichloride with amines resulted in the corresponding amidodiphosphates rather than in the expected amides of imidodiphosphoric acid.Translated from Bioorganicheskaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 1, 2005, pp. 96–102.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Zakirova, Golubeva, Shipitsin, Aleksandrova.     

Reaction of uracil with hypochlorous acid.

The end products of the reaction of uracil with at least a 10-fold excess of aqueous hypochlorous acid at pH 7–8 were found to be trichloroacetic acid, carbon dioxide and nitrogen trichloride. Little formation of trichloroacetic acid was observed after 24 hours when the ratio of hypochlorous acid to uracil was less than 4:1. An intermediate in the reaction was found to be 5-chlorouracil. This was also degraded by hypochlorous acid to trichloroacetic acid.     

The differentiation and assay of vitamins D2 and D3 by gas–liquid chromatography

1. A method is described for the differentiation and determination of as little as 0.2mug. of vitamins D(2) and D(3) by gas-liquid chromatography. 2. The vitamins are converted by treatment with antimony trichloride into isovitamins D(2) and D(3), which show single, separate peaks on gas-liquid chromatography, unlike the unmodified vitamins, which give twin peaks due to the formation of pyro and isopyro derivatives. 3. Since isovitamins D(2) and D(3) remain together in all steps of the procedure except during gas-liquid chromatography, one may be used as an internal standard for the other. 4. The use of an internal standard reduces the importance of loss during sample preparation and increases precision. 5. The application of the method to biological materials is demonstrated.     

Outstanding plasmodicidal properties within a small panel of metallic compounds: Hints for the development of new metal-based antimalarials

A variegate group of metallodrugs was evaluated in vitro for antimalarial activity through the pLDH test. The panel comprised one mononuclear gold(III) complex, (Aubipy), three dinuclear gold(III) compounds (Auoxo4, Auoxo5 and Auoxo6), three ruthenium(III) complexes (NAMI A, PMRU20, PMRU27), one ruthenium(II) complex (PMRU52), one bismuth(III) compound (Bismuth citrate), antimony trichloride (SbCl₃) and arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃). This panel, although relatively small, was built up in such a way to include a variety of metal centers, structural motifs and metal coordination environments. In general, the tested compounds turned out to contrast effectively Plasmodium falciparum growth in vitro. In two cases, i.e. NAMI A and antimony trichloride, IC₅₀ values in the high nanomolar range were measured. Notably, the antiplasmodial effects appear not to be correlated to in vitro anticancer properties. The mechanistic and pharmacological implications of the obtained results are discussed.     

Type 2 Diabetic Rats on Diet Supplemented With Chromium Malate Show Improved Glycometabolism,Glycometabolism-Related Enzyme Levels and Lipid Metabolism

Our previous study showed that chromium malate improved the regulation of blood glucose in mice with alloxan-induced diabetes. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of chromium malate on glycometabolism, glycometabolism-related enzymes and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats. Our results showed that fasting blood glucose, serum insulin level, insulin resistance index and C-peptide level in the high dose group had a significant downward trend when compared with the model group, chromium picolinate group and chromium trichloride group. The hepatic glycogen, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucokinase, Glut4, phosphor-AMPKβ1 and Akt levels in the high dose group were significantly higher than those of the model, chromium picolinate and chromium trichloride groups. Chromium malate in a high dose group can significantly increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol level while decreasing the total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels when compared with chromium picolinate and chromium trichloride. The serum chromium content in chromium malate and chromium picolinate group is significantly higher than that of the chromium trichloride group. The results indicated that the curative effects of chromium malate on glycometabolism, glycometabolism-related enzymes and lipid metabolism changes are better than those of chromium picolinate and chromium trichloride. Chromium malate contributes to glucose uptake and transport in order to improved glycometabolism and glycometabolism-related enzymes.     

Speciation of antimony in natural waters : the determination of Sb(III) and Sb(V) by continuous flow hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A new procedure for the speciation of dissolved antimony is described. This makes use of complexation with citrate to prevent, preferentially, the formation of hydride from Sb(V) and allow the selective determination of Sb(III) to be made by continuous flow hydride generation - atomic absorption spectrometry. When the citric acid (12% m/V) is replaced by potassium iodide (3% m/V), total antimony is determined and the concentration of Sb(V) can be obtained by difference. The determination of the antimony species is dominated in this new procedure by the complexation of Sb(V) with citrate and the effect of pH is limited to a minor, re-inforcing role. This permits acidification to be made with hydrochloric acid. The principal interfering species in the determination of total antimony and Sb(III) is Fe³⁺, with Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ showing lesser effects on Sb(III). The technique is applied successfully to synthetic mixtures and to natural waters from the environment of a disused antimony mine.

The characteristic concentration obtained for antimony was 0.7 ng mL^–1 and the detection limit 1 ng mL^–1.     

Cylindrical hexameric antimony complexes, one with an enclosed hexaaquanickel(II) ion

The reaction of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid and antimony trioxide produces an unusual hexameric cylindrical antimony complex. The cavity is large enough to accommodate the hexaaquanickel(II) cation. The crystal structures of both the parent hexamer and the Ni(II) species enclosed in the hexamer are reported. Bond valence sums were used to confirm that the antimony is +3 in both species and that the Ni ions are all +2 in the encapsulated complex.     

An efficient and highly selective deprotection of N-Fmoc-alpha-amino acid and lipophilic N-Fmoc-dipeptide methyl esters with aluminium trichloride and N,N-dimethylaniline.

A novel procedure for the deprotection of the carboxyl group of amino acid methyl esters is presented. The process is carried out by the reagent system aluminium trichloride/N,N-dimethylaniline that can successfully be applied to unblock the carboxyl moiety either of N-Fmoc-protected amino acid methyl esters and N-Fmoc-protected short dipeptide methyl esters. The chiralities of the optically pure amino acid or peptide precursors are maintained totally unchanged.     

Galloxanthin,a carotenoid from the chicken retina

A new carotenoid has been isolated from the chicken retina for which the name galloxanthin is proposed. This substance has the properties of a hydroxy carotenoid or xanthophyll. It has not yet been crystallized. On a chromatogram of calcium carbonate it is adsorbed just below astaxanthin and above lutein. The absorption spectrum of galloxanthin lies in a region where natural carotenoids have not ordinarily been found. Its main, central absorption band falls at about 400 mmicro. The position of its spectrum suggests a conjugated system of eight double bonds. This relatively short polyene structure must be reconciled with very strong adsorption affinities. With antimony trichloride, galloxanthin yields a deep blue product, possessing a main absorption band at 785 to 795 mmicro, and a secondary maximum at about 710 mmicro which may not be due to galloxanthin itself. Galloxanthin appears to be one of the carotenoid filter pigments associated with cone vision in the chicken. It may act as an auxiliary to the other filter pigments in differentiating colors; or its primary function may be to exclude violet and near ultraviolet radiations for which the eye has a large chromatic aberration.     

Antimony trichloride induces a loss of cell viability via reactive oxygen species-dependent autophagy in A549 cells

Antimony (Sb) is one of the most prevalent heavy metals and frequently leads to biological toxicity. Although autophagy is believed to be involved in metal-associated cytotoxicity, there is no evidence of its involvement following exposure. Moreover, the underlying mechanism of autophagy remains unclear. In this study, treatment with antimony trichloride caused autophagy in a dose- and time-dependent manner in A549 cells but did not affect the level of Atg5 or Atg7 mRNA expression. Furthermore, Sb enhanced autophagic flux while upregulating p62 gene and protein levels. The classic mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is not involved in Sb-induced autophagy. However, Sb-induced autophagy and the upregulation of p62 were inhibited by treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Subsequent analyses demonstrated that the inhibition of autophagy protected A549 cells from a loss of cell viability, while the activation of autophagy by rapamycin had the opposite effect. These data suggest that reactive oxygen species-dependent autophagy mediates Sb-stimulated cell viability loss in A549 cells.     

Hereditary resistance to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D: clinical and radiological improvement during high-dose oral calcium therapy

A 6-year-old boy, of consanguinous parents, presented with severe rickets and alopecia; he was found to have hypocalcaemia and elevated circulating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] levels. He showed no calcaemic response to 1,25-(OH)2D3 or ergocalciferol given for 3 or more months in daily doses as high as 48 micrograms and 6 X 10(6) IU, respectively. Analyses with cultured skin fibroblasts revealed a normal capacity and affinity for 1,25-(OH)2D3 in soluble extracts ('cytosol') and in nuclei of intact cells but no detectable response of 25-(OH)D3 24-hydroxylase to 1,25-(OH)2D3 in high concentration. Treatment with high doses of calcium (3-4 g elemental calcium orally per day) produced a striking clinical and radiological improvement. We conclude that high oral doses of calcium can replace many of the actions of calciferols. Therapy with high doses of calcium should be tried in similarly affected cases that appear totally or partially unresponsive to calciferols.     

The reactions of nitrogen trichloride with some tertiary phosphines

Nitrogen trichloride reacts with trimethyl-, triethyl-, tri-n-butyl-, and triphenylphosphine to yield dichlorophosphoranes of the general formula R₃PCl₂ plus dinitrogen. Nitrogen trichloride reacts with phosphorus trichloride to yield phosphorus pentachloride plus dinitrogen. Chloramine reacts with phosphorus trichloride to yield a mixture of dichlorophosphazene trimer and tetramer.     

Behavior of serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in humans after administration of vitamin D and 25-OHD3]

Serum levels of 25 hydroxycholecalciferol were evaluated following i.m. and p.o. vit. D2 and D3 and p.o. 25OHD3 administration. While no increment in 25OHD3 serum levels were observed after i. m. administration of non-hydroxylated calciferols, a marked increment of the metabolite was found following the oral administration. However the peak values were largely impredictable. Acute and chronic p.o. administration of 25OHD3 determines a rapid and dose-dependent increase of the serum levels of the metabolite. In addition considering that a lower dosage is required of 25OHD3 compared to vit. D, this metabolite is preferable in the therapeutic use.     

Naturally occurring anhydrovitamin A2: Transformation into retinene2

1. ;Naturally occurring anhydrovitamin A(2)' obtained from the liver oil of freshwater fish Bagarius bagarius yielded, after six-stage chromatography, a pure product showing characteristic bands at 350, 368 (E(1%) (1cm.) 1006) and 390mmu in ethanol, and producing a green colour with antimony trichloride (E(1%) (1cm.) 1884 at 693mmu). 2. On distribution of the material between light petroleum and 95% methanol, 70% of it is found in methanol, which points to its hydroxylic character. 3. It gives an acetyl derivative, from which the original hydroxy compound can be regenerated on hydrolysis. 4. The infrared spectrum shows, besides other bands, one at 3460cm.(-1) attributable to a hydroxy group. 5. On passing a light-petroleum solution of naturally occurring anhydrovitamin A(2) through manganese dioxide a 6% conversion into retinene(2) is observed. 6. A 3-hydroxyanhydroretinol structure is proposed for naturally occurring anhydrovitamin A(2) and a mechanism of its transformation into retinene(2) on this basis is suggested.