Nucleotide pool and the proliferative process: an NMR study of the liver regeneration

The metabolic changes occurring during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy have been followed by examination of the perchloric extracts by means of NMR spectroscopy. Proton spectra show an abrupt decrease of glycogen, glucose and nucleotides, which are essentially ribonucleotides, in the first hours after hepatectomy. Nucleotides begin to store up again in the third day after hepatectomy, while glucose and glycogen storage builds up from the second day. 31P data evidence a sharp drop of phosphomonoesters, i.e. monophosphosugars (including AMP) and phosphocholine, and phosphodiesters, i.e. GPC and GPE, soon after hepatectomy and a recovery of the initial levels approximately at the 60th hour and a further increase of PDE at later times. The NMR findings are in agreement with the biochemical knowledge of the course of liver regeneration.     

A metabonomic approach to the investigation of drug-induced phospholipidosis: an NMR spectroscopy and pattern recognition study

¹H NMR spectroscopy of urine and pattern recognition analysis have been used to study the metabolic perturbations caused following dosing of five novel drug candidates, two of which (GWA, GWB) caused mild lung and liver phospholipidosis, whilst the rest (GWC-GWE) did not cause any detectable toxicity. Urine samples were collected predose, 0-8 h, 8-16 h, 16-24 h and 24-32 h after single, oral dosing with each compound to Han Wistar rats (n = 3 per group), and liver and lung samples for were taken at 48 h for histology. ¹H NMR spectra of whole urine were acquired, processed and subsequently analysed using principal component analysis. All animals administered the drug candidates showed a significant reduction in serum triglycerides and those animals administered either GWA or GWB were observed to have foamy alveolar macrophages and the presence of multilamellar bodies in hepatocytes by electron microscopy. In the plot of the first two principal components, urinary spectra of those animals dosed with GWA or GWB mapped separately to controls, all pre-dose samples and animals dosed with GWC-GWE. Inspection of the principal components loadings indicated an increase in urinary phenylacetylglycine with a concomitant decrease in urinary citrate and 2-oxoglutarate, possibly constituting a novel urinary biomarker set for phospholipidosis. This work exemplifies the use of NMR spectroscopy and pattern recognition methods for the detection of novel biomarker combinations for poorly understood toxicity types and the potential in screening novel drugs for toxicity.     

A metabonomic approach to the investigation of drug-induced phospholipidosis: an NMR spectroscopy and pattern recognition study

¹H NMR spectroscopy of urine and pattern recognition analysis have been used to study the metabolic perturbations caused following dosing of five novel drug candidates, two of which (GWA, GWB) caused mild lung and liver phospholipidosis, whilst the rest (GWC-GWE) did not cause any detectable toxicity. Urine samples were collected predose, 0-8 h, 8-16 h, 16-24 h and 24-32 h after single, oral dosing with each compound to Han Wistar rats (n = 3 per group), and liver and lung samples for were taken at 48 h for histology. ¹H NMR spectra of whole urine were acquired, processed and subsequently analysed using principal component analysis. All animals administered the drug candidates showed a significant reduction in serum triglycerides and those animals administered either GWA or GWB were observed to have foamy alveolar macrophages and the presence of multilamellar bodies in hepatocytes by electron microscopy. In the plot of the first two principal components, urinary spectra of those animals dosed with GWA or GWB mapped separately to controls, all pre-dose samples and animals dosed with GWC-GWE. Inspection of the principal components loadings indicated an increase in urinary phenylacetylglycine with a concomitant decrease in urinary citrate and 2-oxoglutarate, possibly constituting a novel urinary biomarker set for phospholipidosis. This work exemplifies the use of NMR spectroscopy and pattern recognition methods for the detection of novel biomarker combinations for poorly understood toxicity types and the potential in screening novel drugs for toxicity.     

Changes in activities of urea cycle enzymes in early stages of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats

The activities of urea cycle enzymes were measured during the first 24 hours of regeneration after partial hepatectomy. In animals fed normal rat chow (22% protein), there was an initial 40-60% decrease in the specific activities of all urea cycle enzymes, to reach a low point 4 hours after the operation. Thereafter, the specific activities increased again, approximating zero time values by 24 hours after partial hepatectomy. In this and all subsequent experiments all urea cycle enzymes responded in a very similar fashion. On diets containing 0% or 10% protein, the drop was delayed for approximately 12 hours; during this time, the specific activities were above zero time values. The minimum level was reached at about 18 hours, with a return to normal or above at 24 hours. On a diet containing 75% protein, there was an initial decrease to a low level at 4 hours, followed by a more pronounced increase, with a peak above zero time levels at 12 hours.     

Metabolic effects of interleukin 3 on 32D cl23 cells analyzed by NMR

31P NMR of living 32D cl23 cells and 1H NMR of cell extracts were used to study the metabolic effects of interleukin 3 (IL3). When IL3 was removed from 32D cl23 for 9-10 hours 31P spectra showed a decrease in sugar phosphate, gamma ATP/ADP, alpha ATP/ADP/NAD, and beta ATP resonances which declined progressively over a time period of up to 16 hours. By comparison, ATP measurements using the luciferin/luciferase method resulted in the decline of ATP levels from 12 hours in the absence of IL3. At this time, viability of the cells was unaffected. For 1H NMR experiments cells were grown in the presence and absence of IL3 for 4 and 24 hours, after which acid cell extracts were prepared. These spectra revealed a four-fold decrease in lactate 4 hours post-IL3 removal. Alanine levels were unchanged but glycine was elevated 1.5-fold whilst various other amino acids were elevated slightly. After 24 hours without IL3, only 22% of cells were viable which was reflected in a general decline of most resonance intensities. These findings suggest that IL3 exerts its effect primarily on glucose metabolism and has a delayed secondary effect on maintenance of ATP levels in the cell. We have demonstrated the applicability of high resolution 1H and 31P NMR to the study of cellular metabolism in hemopoietic cells.     

Time dependence of the proton relaxation times of regenerating rat liver

The proton longitudinal relaxation time of regenerating rat liver has been found to increase during the first 24 hours after hepatectomy and to drop back to normal in the following hours. The decreased relaxation rate may be related to the increase of the water mobility due to the expansion of the intercellular spaces during the massive proliferation of the first day, or to the increased cell hydration which is known to occur during active cell proliferation. Equations have been derived for the proliferation process, and the competing inhibition process, active from the 24th hour, which can quantitatively account for the proton relaxation behaviour.     

Effect of human fetal liver cells on the rate of DNA and nRNA synthesis in regenerating rat liver

The model of partial hepatectomy was utilized to investigate the influence of human fetal liver cells (FLCs) and of human embryo tissue (PCF) postnuclear cytoplasm fraction injection on the rate of DNA and nRNA synthesis in regenerating rat liver cells. Single infusion of FLCs and PCF into the spleen pulp of rats has been shown to increase the DNA synthesis 24 hours after the operation in 2.5 +/- 0.4 and 3.2 +/- 0.5 times respectively. A group of rats has been identified with no influence of the infusion on the DNA synthesis 24 hours after partial hepatectomy, this process having been even retarding in 48 hours after the operation. Meanwhile the FLCs and PCF infusion enhanced the intensity of nRNA synthesis in 72 hours after the operation in all the animal groups. The effect demonstrated is probably caused by the biologically active substances contained in the fetal tissues.     

Metabolism of D-glucose in a wall-less mutant of Neurospora crassa examined by 13C and 31P nuclear magnetic resonances: effects of insulin

13C NMR and 31P NMR have been used to investigate the metabolism of glucose by a wall-less strain of Neurospora crassa (slime), grown in a supplemented nutritionally defined medium and harvested in the early stationary stage of growth. With D-[1-13C]- or D-[6-13C]glucose as substrates, the major metabolic products identified from 13C NMR spectra were [2-13C]ethanol, [3-13C]alanine, and C1- and C6-labeled trehalose. Several observations suggested the existence of a substantial hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt: (i) a 70% greater yield of ethanol from C6- than from C1-labeled glucose; (ii) C1-labeled glucose yielded 19% C6-labeled trehalose, while C6-labeled glucose yielded only 4% C1-labeled trehalose; (iii) a substantial transfer of 13C from C2-labeled glucose to the C2-position of ethanol. 31P NMR spectra showed millimolar levels of intracellular inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphodiesters, and diphosphates including sugar diphosphates and polyphosphate. Addition of glucose resulted in a decrease in cytoplasmic Pi and an increase in sugar monophosphates, which continued for at least 30 min. Phosphate resonances corresponding to metabolic intermediates of both the glycolytic and HMP pathways were identified in cell extracts. Addition of insulin (100 nM) with the glucose had the following effects relative to glucose alone: (i) a 24% increase (P less than 0.01) in the rate of ethanol production; (ii) a 38% increase (P less than 0.05) in the rate of alanine production; (iii) a 27% increase (P less than 0.05) in the rate of glucose disappearance. Insulin thus increases the rates of production of ethanol and alanine in these cells, in addition to increasing production of CO2 and glycogen, as previously shown.     

Rearrangement of nuclear calmodulin during proliferative liver cell activation

Calmodulin increases about three-fold in rat liver nuclei after partial hepatectomy. The increase is maximal after 24 hours, when DNA synthesis is also maximal. During the same time re-distribution of calmodulin within the nuclear structure takes place, leading to its association with the nuclear matrix. Incubation of normal rat liver nuclei with Ca2+ induces association of calmodulin with the matrix, indicating that the re-distribution of calmodulin during the replicative period is related to the increase in nuclear Ca2+. The nuclear matrix contains several calmodulin binding proteins of which one, having Mr of 130 kDa, has been identified as myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). Three acceptor proteins, having Mr of 120, 65, and 60 kDa decrease 24 hours after partial hepatectomy, MLCK and a protein of Mr 150 kDa instead increase.     

Advances towards resonance assignments for uniformly—13C, 15N enriched bacteriorhodopsin at 18.8 T in purple membranes

Solid state NMR spectra from uniformly (13)C, (15)N enriched bacteriorhodospin (bR) purified from H. salinarium were acquired at 18.8 T using magic angle spinning methods. Isolated resonances of 2D (13)C-(13)C spectra exhibited 0.50-0.55 ppm line-widths. Several amino acid types could be assigned, and at least 12 out of 15 Ile peaks could be resolved clearly and identified based on their characteristic chemical shifts and connectivities. This study confirms that high resolution solid state NMR spectra can be obtained for a 248 amino acid uniformly labeled membrane protein in its native membrane environment and indicates that site-specific assignments are likely to be feasible with heteronuclear multidimensional spectra.     

Biliary excretion and organ distribution of 14C radioactivity after 14C-2-ethylhexyl acrylate administration in rats

Rats were intravenously administered (14C)-2-ethylhexyl acrylate at the dose 10 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg b. w. Biliary excretion of 14C-radioactivity was followed in 1-3 hour intervals within the first 24 hours after administration. The rats were then sacrificed and distribution of 14C-radioactivity was followed in some organs. Highest radioactivity was found in liver, less in the kidneys and the least in the brain. A significant increase of bile flow was observed. In the 24-hour intervals 2.2% of the dose was eliminated via bile at both dosages, most of it (83%) during the first 3 hours.     

Uridine diphospho sugars and related hexose phosphates in the liver of hexosamine-treated rats: identification using 31P-[1H] two-dimensional NMR with HOHAHA relay

The effects of administration of galactosamine (GalN) and glucosamine (GlcN) on the levels of UDP-sugars and hexose monophosphates in rat livers were studied by a variety of 31P NMR methods. The flux of metabolites in the liver was monitored by in vivo NMR and showed elevated levels of UDP-sugars, and even greater increases in resonances at 4.6 ppm for GlcN treatment and at 2.0 ppm for GalN treatment. The individual compounds corresponding to these changes were identified in PCA liver extracts by 31P-[1H] two-dimensional relay spectroscopy with a HOHAHA-type 1H spin-lock. This method of transferring proton magnetization allows for nearly all of the proton chemical shifts to be observed for the hexose moiety of a UDP-sugar present in a complex mixture. The UDP-sugars in the extracts from treated rats were predominantly UDP-hexosamines. Relay spectra were also used to determine that GalN-1-P was the major component (16.0 mumol/g of liver) of the GalN-treated liver, while both alpha and beta anomers of GlcNAc-6-P were readily identified as the major hexose monophosphates in the GlcN experiment. Spectra from the 1H dimension of relay experiments conducted on extracts were nearly superimposable on relay spectra obtained under the same conditions for mixtures of standard compounds of known structure. UDP-GlcN and UDP-GalN were not commercially available, but their presence was established in the extracts after GalN treatment by obtaining relay spectra for a mixture of the compounds produced in situ enzymatically, without purification.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Acute exposure to cadmium causes time-dependent liver injury in rats.

1. Serum enzymes activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), after intraperitoneal injection of CdCl2 showed a maximum increase at 12 hours, contrary to the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) that showed a permanent decrease by that time. 2. Cadmium concentration in liver showed an increase at 6 and 12 hours, a decrease at 18, and a re-establishment to the initial values at 24 hours. 3. Liver microsomal membrane fluidity showed an increase at 6 hours followed by a decrease within 24 hours. Free radical generation was decreasing gradually up to 24 hours. 4. Gradually increasing changes were observed from the histological study.     

Clinical picture,epidemiology and outcome of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Loa</Emphasis>-associated serious adverse events related to mass ivermectin treatment of onchocerciasis in Cameroon

In August 2002, 65 cases of Loa-associated neurological Serious Adverse Events were reported after ivermectin treatment. The first signs, occurring within the 12-24 hours following treatment, included fatigue, generalized arthralgia, and sometimes agitation, mutism, and incontinence. Disorders of consciousness, including coma, generally appeared between 24 and 72 hours, and showed a rapid variation with time. The most frequent objective neurological signs were extrapyramidal. The patients presented with haemorrhages of the conjunctiva and of the retina. Biological examinations showed a massive Loa microfilaruria, the passage of Loa microfilariae into the cerebrospinal fluid, haematuria, and an increase in the C-reactive protein, all of which have been correlated with the high intensity of the initial Loa microfilaraemia. Eosinophil counts decreased dramatically within the first 24 hours, and then rose again rapidly. Electroencephalograms suggested the existence of a diffuse pathological process within the first weeks; the abnormalities disappearing after 3-6 months. Death may occur when patients are not properly managed, i.e. in the absence of good nursing. However, some patients who recovered showed sequelae such as aphasia, episodic amnesia, or extrapyramidal signs. The main risk factor for these encephalopathies is the intensity of the initial Loa microfilaraemia. The disorders of consciousness may occur when there are >50,000 Loa microfilariae per ml. The possible roles of co-factors, such as Loa strains, genetic predisposition of individuals, co-infestations with other parasites, or alcohol consumption, seem to be minor but they should be considered. The mechanisms of the post-ivermectin Loa-related encephalopathies should be investigated to improve the management of patients developing the condition.     

Blood oxidative stress generation after intraperitoneal administration of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes in rats

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been proposed for various medical applications. However, their safety for human administration has not been yet fully demonstrated. In vitro studies have pointed oxidative stress as a mechanism involved in their cytotoxic effects. In the present study we have evaluated the capacity of DNA functionalized SWCNTs to induce oxidative stress in blood after intraperitoneal (ip) administration in rats. The presence of SWCNTs in blood was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy 30 minutes after their ip administration. Oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde - MDA, protein carbonyls - PC, antioxidant capacity measured as hydrogen donating capacity - HD, sulfhydryl groups - SH, glutathione - GSH and nitrites - NO) were assessed in blood at 3, 6, 24, respectively, and 48 hours after ip injection. MDA, PC and NO exhibited a significant increase at 3-6 hours interval from exposure, followed by a recovery trend. The levels of HD reached a bottom level at 6 hours after administration, while SH strongly decreased at 3 hours interval and increased slightly up to 48 hours without attending the initial values. GSH level recorded an increasing tendency at the 3rd hour, an incomplete recovery process at 24 hours followed by a secondary significant increase following a 48-hour interval. Significant inverse correlations were obtained between the PC and SH levels and between the NO and HD values. In conclusion, the ip administration of DNA functionalized SWCNT in rats results in oxidative stress generation in plasma, with a transient pattern of evolution.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on liver metallothionein synthesis and lipid peroxidation in rats.

Several studies have recently shown that metallothionein (MT), a protein characterized by a high thiol content and that binds Zn2+ and Cu+, might be involved in the protection against oxidative stress and can act as a free radical scavenger. Oxidative stresses, such as irradiation, increase lipid peroxidation (LP) and subsequent tissue damage through free radical production. The induction of hepatic MT synthesis by gamma-irradiation (20 Gy) at 8, 24, 30 and 48 hrs. post-irradiation in two different age groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (39-40 and 48-49 days old) was studied. LP measured by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay and Cu and Zn levels in liver have also been determined. In the younger group, the gamma-irradiation induced hepatic MT synthesis and increased LP that peaked 24 hrs. after irradiation. During the first 30 hrs. post-irradiation, a positive and statistically significant correlation between hepatic MT content and LP level in liver was found. In the older group, liver MT synthesis was only increased 1.7-fold and LP levels were not altered at 24 hrs. post-irradiation compared with sham-irradiated rats.Therefore it appears that LP is not necessary for induction of MT synthesis by gamma-irradiation.     

Modifications of liver content of cyclic nucleotides in the rat poisoned with white phosphorus]

In rat liver following white phorphorus poisoning a biphasic increase in cyclic AMP concentration was observed. After a lag period of 1 hour the cyclic AMP content rose to a first peak at 4 hours and to a second peak at 12 hours of intoxication. The cyclic AMP level fell to normal after 24 hours, by which time the cyclic nucleotide concentration was approaching control values. On the contrary, cyclic GMP content was found to the normal level during the different stages of intoxication. Only at 36 hours the cyclic GMP amount appeared significantly increased above the control values. Serum activity of alanine- and aspartate-amino transferases was found changed from 8 hours to 24 hours after poisoning. The serum level of the two enzymes was overlapping the control values after 36 hours. These results are discussed in relation to hepatocyte necrosis following white phosphorus intoxication.     

Natural abundance Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of liver and adipose tissue of the living rat

We have employed the topical magnetic resonance (TMR) technique to obtain natural abundance 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra from liver and adipose tissue in the living rat. Experiments were performed in a TMR magnet (20-cm diameter) with a two-turn radio-frequency coil ("surface" coil) combined with a focused static magnetic field. The in vivo spectra that were obtained at 20.2 MHz have been assigned by comparison with those from excised organs obtained in a conventional spectrometer operating at 90.5 MHz. Signals in the TMR spectra corresponding to carbons of the carbohydrates, glucose and glycogen, and of the lipids, triglycerides and phospholipids, have been resolved in vivo and assigned. The effects of chronic modification of dietary fat and carbohydrate on the in vivo spectra have been investigated. The levels of carbohydrates and of saturated and unsaturated fats in the liver as measured by 13C TMR reflect the relative amounts of these compounds in the long-term diet.     

Effect of biliary obstruction on formation and metabolism of bile acids in rat

The effect of biliary obstruction in the rat on several hydroxylations involved in the formation and metabolism of bile acids was studied. The hydroxylations studied were all catalyzed by the microsomal fraction of liver homogenate fortified with NADPH. The rate of 7α-hydroxylation of cholesterol increased two- to threefold between 24 and 48 hours after ligation of the bile duct and remained at this level the next 48 hours. During the first 24 hours of obstruction the rates of 1 2α-hydroxylation of 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one and 7α-hydroxylation of taurodeoxycholic acid decreased but returned to control levels between 24 and 48 hours after operation. The rate of 6β-hydroxylation of lithocholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid increased gradually and reached a plateau between 24 and 48 hours at which time the rate was two to three times faster than in the controls. The increase in 6β-hydroxylase activity was reflected in the pattern of the bile acids excreted in urine. After 48 hours of obstruction β-muricholic acid accounted for 50% or more of the bile acids in urine.