Quinolinic acid, alpha-picolinic acid, fusaric acid, and 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid enhance the Fenton reaction in phosphate buffer.

Quinolinic acid, alpha-picolinic acid, fusaric acid, and 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid enhanced the Fenton reaction in phosphate buffer, respectively. The enhancement by quinolinic acid, alpha-picolinic acid, fusaric acid, and 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid of the Fenton reaction may be partly related to their respective actions in the biological systems such as a neurotoxic effect (quinolinic acid), a marked growth-inhibitory action on rice seeding (alpha-picolinic acid and fusaric acid), and an antiseptic (2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid). The ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of the mixture of alpha-picolinic acid with ferrous ion showed a characteristic visible absorbance band with a lambda(max) at 443 nm, suggesting that alpha-picolinic acid chelate of Fe2+ ion forms in the solution. Similar characteristic visible absorbance band was also observed for the mixture of Fe2+ ion with quinolinic acid (or fusaric acid, or 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid). The chelation seems to be related to the enhancement by quinolinic acid, alpha-picolinic acid, fusaric acid, and 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid of the Fenton reaction. alpha-Picolinic acid was reported to be a toxic substance isolated from the culture liquids of blast mould (Piricularia oryzae CAVARA). On the other hand, it has also been known that chlorogenic acid protects rice plants from the blast disease. The chlorogenic acid inhibited the formation of the hydroxyl radical in the reaction mixture of alpha-picolinic acid, FeSO4(NH4)2SO4, and H2O2. Thus the inhibition may be a possible mechanism of the protective action of the chlorogenic acid against the blast disease.     

Inhibition behaviours of some phenolic acids on rat kidney aldose reductase enzyme: an in vitro study

Aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors have vital importance in the treatment and prevention of diabetic complications. In this study, rat kidney AR was purified 19.34-fold with a yield of 3.49% and a specific activity of 0.88?U/mg using DE-52 Cellulose anion exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography and 2′5′ ADP Sepharose-4B affinity chromatography, respectively. After purification, the in vitro inhibition effects of some phenolic acids (tannic acid, chlorogenic acid, sinapic acid, protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, α-resorcylic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and gallic acid) were investigated on purified enzyme. We determined IC₅₀, K_i values and inhibition types of these phenolic acids. As a result, tannic and chlorogenic acid had a strong inhibition effect. On the other hand, gallic acid had a weak inhibition effect. In this study, all phenolic acids except for chlorogenic acid and p-coumaric acid showed non-competitive inhibition effects on rat kidney AR.     

Abnormal urinary bile acids in a patient suffering from cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis during oral administration of ursodeoxycholic acid

The urinary bile acid profile, obtained by capillary gas chromatography, of a patient suffering from cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis and treated with ursodeoxycholic acid demonstrated, besides the occurrence of 23-norcholic acid and (23R)-hydroxycholic acid (as a consequence of this disease), six additional unknown bile acids and three known bile acids, viz. ursodeoxycholic acid, hyocholic acid and omega-muricholic acid. The structure of two of the unknown bile acids were elucidated and proven by organic syntheses. These were 23-norursodeoxycholic acid and 3 beta-ursodeoxycholic acid. The structures of three bile acids were tentatively elucidated as being 1 beta-hydroxyursodeoxycholic acid, 21-hydroxyursodeoxycholic acid and 22-hydroxyursodeoxycholic acid, and the possibility that the structure of the remaining bile acid is that of 5-hydroxyursodeoxycholic acid is discussed. Two of these bile acids (1 beta-hydroxyursodeoxycholic acid and 5-hydroxyursodeoxycholic acid) also occurred in urine of a healthy individual during oral ursodeoxycholic acid treatment, whereas 23-norcholic acid, 23-norursodeoxycholic acid, (23R)-hydroxycholic acid, 21-hydroxyursodeoxycholic acid and 22-hydroxyursodeoxycholic acid were only present in urine of the patient suffering from cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. The metabolism of ursodeoxycholic acid, both in the normal state and in the cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, is discussed.     

酚酸类物质的抑草效应分析

运用正交旋转回归试验设计分析5种常见的化感物质替代物水饧酸、对羟基苯甲酸、肉桂酸、香草酸和阿魏酸对田间伴生杂草稗草的抑制效应．结果表明,肉桂酸对稗草根长抑制率的影响最显著。其关系函数的二次项系数为-6．18,达极显著水平,水杨酸、对羟基苯甲酸和阿魏酸对稗草根长的抑制效应趋势与肉桂酸相同,效应曲线均为“n”形抛物线;而香草酸的效应曲线则为“U”形抛物线．当水饧酸、对羟基苯甲酸、肉桂酸、香草酸和阿魏酸浓度水平分别为0．06、0．60、0．24、0．02和0．02mmol·L^-1时,混合物对稗草根长的抑制率最大,达到78．65％。     

Formation of hyodeoxycholic acid from muricholic acid and hyocholic acid by an unidentified gram-positive rod termed HDCA-1 isolated from rat intestinal microflora.

From the rat intestinal microflora we isolated a gram-positive rod, termed HDCA-1, that is a member of a not previously described genomic species and that is able to transform the 3alpha,6beta, 7beta-trihydroxy bile acid beta-muricholic acid into hyodeoxycholic acid (3alpha,6alpha-dihydroxy acid) by dehydroxylation of the 7beta-hydroxy group and epimerization of the 6beta-hydroxy group into a 6alpha-hydroxy group. Other bile acids that were also transformed into hyodeoxycholic acid were hyocholic acid (3alpha, 6alpha,7alpha-trihydroxy acid), alpha-muricholic acid (3alpha,6beta, 7alpha-trihydroxy acid), and omega-muricholic acid (3alpha,6alpha, 7beta-trihydroxy acid). The strain HDCA-1 could not be grown unless a nonconjugated 7-hydroxylated bile acid and an unidentified growth factor produced by a Ruminococcus productus strain that was also isolated from the intestinal microflora were added to the culture medium. Germfree rats selectively associated with the strain HDCA-1 plus a bile acid-deconjugating strain and the growth factor-producing R. productus strain converted beta-muricholic acid almost completely into hyodeoxycholic acid.     

The effect of 3-sulphation and taurine conjugation on the uptake of chenodeoxycholic acid by rat hepatocytes

The hepatic uptake of chenodeoxycholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulphate and taurochenodeoxycholate acid 3-sulphate by isolated rat hepatocytes was examined. Taurochenodeoxycholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulphate and chenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulphate uptake occurred by a saturable, energy-dependent process while chenodeoxycholic acid uptake was predominantly non-saturable, possibly simple diffusion. Apparent Km (mumol/l) and Vmax (nmol/mg protein per min) values (mean +/- S.D.), respectively, were: chenodeoxycholic acid (saturable component), 33 +/- 6.4 and 4.8 +/- 0.6; taurochenodeoxycholic acid, 11.1 +/- 2.0 and 3.1 +/- 0.5; chenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulphate, 6.1 +/- 0.9 and 2.3 +/- 0.4; and taurochenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulphate, 5.0 +/- 0.7 and 0.9 +/- 0.15. Both conjugation with taurine and sulphation at the 3 position resulted in a reduction in the values of Km and Vmax. Uptake of each of the bile acids taurochenodeoxycholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulphate and chenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulphate was competitively inhibited by the other two, with taurochenodeoxycholic acid a potent inhibitor of both taurochenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulphate and chenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulphate uptake. Other bile acids also inhibited. Uptake was inhibited by albumin in the order chenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulphate greater than taurochenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulphate greater than taurochenodeoxycholic acid and was dependent on the extent of bile acid binding to albumin.     

Biosynthesis and utilization of aromatic compounds by Mycobacterium smegmatis with particular reference to the origin of salicylic acid

1. Although Mycobacterium smegmatis could utilize a number of aromatic compounds as sole sources of carbon for growth, it did not appear to be able to use salicylic acid for growth or to metabolize it to any great extent. 2. When M. smegmatis was grown on shikimic acid as sole source of carbon, salicylic acid, anthranilic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid were released into the medium. When it was grown on quinic acid these compounds, together with p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and a number of unidentified compounds, were formed. When it was grown on glucose only small amounts of salicylic acid could be detected. 3. When a washed suspension of cells with a normal iron content was incubated with shikimic acid, only small amounts of aromatic compounds were formed in the medium. When the cells were iron-deficient, substantial amounts of salicylic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and catechol were formed, together with several other compounds not definitely identified. 4. When washed suspensions of cells, whether iron-sufficient or iron-deficient, were incubated with tryptophan no evidence of formation of salicylic acid, anthranilic acid or phenolic compounds was obtained. Washed suspensions did not convert anthranilic acid into salicylic acid. 5. When cell-free extracts of M. smegmatis were incubated with shikimic acid, or shikimic acid 5-phosphate, traces of anthranilic acid were formed under certain conditions. No formation of salicylic acid or other phenolic compound was observed even when a number of combinations of cofactors and coenzymes were tried.     

Identification of short side chain bile acids in urine of patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

Urine from patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) was found to contain a number of minor bile acids along with three major bile acids, 7-epicholic acid, norcholic acid, and cholic acid. The following minor bile acids were identified by combined gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: 7-ketobisnordeoxycholic acid; 12-ketobisnorchenodeoxycholic acid; 7-ketonordeoxycholic acid; 12-ketochenodeoxycholic acid; 7-ketodeoxycholic acid; 12-ketochendeoxycholic acid; bisnorcholic acid; allonorcholic acid; allocholic acid; 1 beta-hydroxybisnorcholic acid; 1 beta-hydroxynorcholic acid; 1 beta-hydroxycholic acid; 2 beta-hydroxybisnorcholic acid; 2 beta-hydroxy-norcholic acid; 2 beta-hydroxycholic acid. The presence of C22 and C23 bile acids in urine of the CTX patients suggests that bile alcohols having a hydroxyl group at C22 or C23 in the side chain may be further degraded to these bile acids.     

The metabolism of n-decane by a Pseudomonas

The growth of a Pseudomonas on n-decane was found to produce stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, decanoic acid, octanoic acid, beta-hydroxydecanoic acid, beta-hydroxyoctanoic acid, beta-hydroxyhexanoic acid and beta-hydroxyadipic acid. Small amounts of n-decanamide and n-valeramide were also isolated. The effects of nitrogen and oxygen limitation on the formation of these products in continuous fermentations is reported.     

Metabolism of Benzoic Acid by Bacteria: 3,5- Cyclohexadiene-1,2-Diol-1-Carboxylic Acid Is an Intermediate in the Formation of Catechol

3,5-Cyclohexadiene-1,2-diol-1-carboxylic acid (1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxy-benzoic acid) is converted enzymatically to catechol in cell extracts from Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Azotobacter, and three Pseudomonas species. This enzymatic activity is present only in cultures which have been grown in the presence of benzoic acid, and which convert benzoic acid to catechol rather than to protocatechuic acid. The reaction is assayed by the concomitant formation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The conversion of [(14)C]benzoic acid to [(14)C]dihydrodihydroxybenzoic acid is demonstrated in cell extracts. A scheme for the conversion of benzoic acid to catechol in bacteria is presented, involving the formation of dihydrodihydroxybenzoic acid from benzoic acid by a dioxygenase which is unstable in cell extracts, followed by the dehydrogenation and decarboxylation of dihydrodihydroxybenzoic acid to catechol by a previously undescribed enzyme. Experiments with anthranilic acid and phthalic acid suggest that dihydrodihydroxybenzoic acid is a metabolite unique to benzoic acid metabolism. Two new methods for assaying benzoic acid dioxygenase are suggested.     

Differential effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and oleic acid on lipid synthesis and secretion by HepG2 cells

The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and oleic acid on lipid synthesis and secretion by HepG2 cells were examined to identify fatty acid specific changes in lipid metabolism that might indicate a basis for the hypolipidemic effect attributed to eicosapentaenoic acid and related n-3 fatty acids. Cellular glycerolipid synthesis, as determined by [3H]glycerol incorporation, increased in a concentration-dependent manner in cells incubated 4 h with either eicosapentaenoic acid or oleic acid at concentrations between 10 and 300 microM. [3H]Glycerol-labeled triglyceride was the principal lipid formed and increased approximately fourfold with the addition of 300 microM oleic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid. Both fatty acids also produced a 20-40% increase in the total cellular triglyceride mass. Although both fatty acids increased triglyceride synthesis to similar extents, eicosapentaenoic acid-treated cells secreted 40% less [3H]glycerol-labeled triglyceride than cells fed oleic acid. Cellular synthesis of [3H]glycerol-labeled phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine was also reduced by 40% and 30%, respectively, in cells given eicosapentaenoic acid versus cells given oleic acid. Similar results were obtained in determinations of radiolabeled oleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid incorporation. At a fatty acid concentration of 300 microM, incorporation of radiolabeled eicosapentaenoic acid into cellular triglycerides was greater than the incorporation obtained with radiolabeled oleic acid, while the reverse relationship was observed for the formation of phosphatidylcholine from the same fatty acids. Eicosapentaenoic acid is as potent as oleic acid in inducing triglyceride synthesis but eicosapentaenoic acid is a poorer substrate than oleic acid for phospholipid synthesis. The intracellular rise in de novo-synthesized triglyceride in eicosapentaenoic acid-treated cells without corresponding increases in triglyceride secretion suggests that eicosapentaenoic acid is less effective than oleic acid in promoting the transfer of de novo-synthesized triglyceride to nascent very low density lipoproteins.     

Mechanism of intestinal 7 alpha-dehydroxylation of cholic acid: evidence that allo-deoxycholic acid is an inducible side-product

We previously reported that the 7 alpha-dehydroxylation of cholic acid appears to be carried out by a multi-step pathway in intestinal anaerobic bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. The pathway is hypothesized to involve an initial oxidation of the 3 alpha-hydroxy group and the introduction of a double bond at C4-C5 generating a 3-oxo-4-cholenoic bile acid intermediate. The loss of water generates a 3-oxo-4,6-choldienoic bile acid which is reduced (three steps) yielding deoxycholic acid. We synthesized, in radiolabel, the following putative bile acid intermediates of this pathway 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholenoic acid, 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acid, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-4,6-choldienoic acid, and 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholenoic acid and showed that they could be converted to 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acid (deoxycholic acid) by whole cells or cell extracts of Eubacterium sp. VPI 12708. During studies of this pathway, we discovered the accumulation of two unidentified bile acid intermediates formed from cholic acid. These bile acids were purified by thin-layer chromatography and identified by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-5 alpha-cholanoic acid and 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 alpha-cholanoic (allo-deoxycholic acid). Allo-deoxycholic acid was formed only in cell extracts prepared from bacteria induced by cholic acid, suggesting that their formation may be a branch of the cholic acid 7 alpha-dehydroxylation pathway in this bacterium.     

Biohydrogenation of C18 unsaturated fatty acids to stearic acid by a strain of Butyrivibrio hungatei from the bovine rumen

AIMS: To identify a ruminal isolate which transforms oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids to stearic acid and to identify transient intermediates formed during biohydrogenation. METHODS AND RESULTS: The stearic acid-forming bacterium, isolated from the rumen of a grazing cow, was a Gram-negative motile rod which utilized a range of growth substrates including starch and pectin but not cellulose or xylan. From its 16S rRNA gene sequence, the isolate was identified as a strain of Butyrivibrio hungatei. During conversion of linoleic acid, 9,11-conjugated linoleic acid formed as a transient intermediate before trans-vaccenic acid accumulated together with stearic acid. Unlike previously studied ruminal biohydrogenating bacteria, B. hungatei Su6 was able to convert alpha-linolenic acid to stearic acid. Linolenic acid was converted to stearic via conjugated linolenic acid, linoleic acid and trans-vaccenic acid as intermediates. Oleic acid and cis-vaccenic acid were converted to a series of trans monounsaturated isomers as well as stearic acid. An investigation of these isomers indicated that mixed trans positional isomers are intermediate in the biohydrogenation of cis monounsaturated fatty acids to stearic acid. CONCLUSION: This, the first rigorous identification and characterization of a ruminal bacterium which forms stearic acid, shows that B. hungatei plays an important role in unsaturated fatty acid transformations in the rumen. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Biohydrogenating bacteria which convert C18 unsaturated fatty acids to stearic acid have not been available for study for many years. Access to B. hungatei Su6 now provides a fresh opportunity for understanding biohydrogenation mechanisms and rumen processes which lead to saturated fat in ruminant products.     

ACTION OF THE NEUROTOXIN KAINIC ACID ON HIGH AFFINITY UPTAKE OF l-GLUTAMIC ACID IN RAT BRAIN SLICES

Kainic acid is a linear competitive inhibitor (K_is 250 μm ) of the ‘high affinity’ uptake of l -glutamic acid into rat brain slices. Kainic acid inhibits the ‘high affinity’ uptake of l -glutamic, d -aspartic and l -aspartic acids to a similar extent. Kainic acid is not actively taken up into rat brain slices and is thus not a substrate for the ‘high affinity’ acidic amino acid transport system or any other transport system in rat brain slices. Kainic acid (300 μm ) does not influence the steady-state release or potassium-stimulated release of preloaded d -aspartic acid from rat brain slices. Kainic acid binds to rat brain membranes in the absence of sodium ions in a manner indicating binding to a population of receptor sites for l -glutamic acid. Only quisqualic and l -glutamic acid inhibit kainic acid binding in a potent manner. The affinity of kainic acid for these receptor sites appears to be some 4 orders of magnitude higher than for the ‘high affinity’l -glutamic acid transport carrier. Dihydrokainic acid is approximately twice as potent as kainic acid as an inhibitor of ‘high affinity’l -glutamic acid uptake but is some 500 times less potent as an inhibitor of kainic acid binding and at least 1000 times less potent as a convulsant of immature rats on intraperitoneal injection. Dihydrokainic acid might be useful as a ‘control uptake inhibitor’ for the effects of kainic acid on ‘high affinity’l -glutamic acid uptake since it appears to have little action on excitatory receptors. N-Methyl-d -aspartic acid is a potent convulsant of immature rats, but does not inhibit kainic acid binding or ‘high affinity’l -glutamic acid uptake. N-Methyl-d -aspartic acid might be useful as a ‘control excitant’ that activates different excitatory receptors to kainic acid and does not influence ‘high affinity’l -glutamic acid uptake.     

Identification of Unknown Impurity of Azelaic Acid in Liposomal Formulation Assessed by HPLC-ELSD,GC-FID,and GC-MS

The identification of new contaminants is critical in the development of new medicinal products. Many impurities, such as pentanedioic acid, hexanedioic acid, heptanedioic acid, octanedioic acid, decanedioic acid, undecanedioic acid, dodecanedioic acid, tridecanedioic acid, and tetradecanedioic acid, have been identified in samples of azelaic acid. The aim of this study was to identify impurities observed during the stability tests of a new liposomal dosage form of azelaic acid that is composed of phosphatidylcholine and a mixture of ethyl alcohol and water, using high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD), gas chromatography–flame ionisation detection (GC-FID), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods. During the research and development of a new liposomal formulation of azelaic acid, we developed a method for determining the contamination of azelaic acid using HPLC-ELSD. During our analytical tests, we identified a previously unknown impurity of a liposomal preparation of azelaic acid that appeared in the liposomal formulation of azelaic acid during preliminary stability studies. The procedure led to the conclusion that the impurity was caused by the reaction of azelaic acid with one of the excipients that was applied in the product. The impurity was finally identified as an ethyl monoester of azelaic acid. The identification procedure of this compound was carried out in a series of experiments comparing the chromatograms that were obtained via the following chromatographic methods: HPLC-ELSD, GC-FID, and GC-MS. The final identification of the compound was carried out by GC with MS.     

Photoisomerization of retinoic acid and its influence on regulation of human keratinocyte growth and differentiation

Retinoic acid constantly undergoes structural inter-conversions among the geometrical isomers (all-trans-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid, 11-cis-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid and 9-13-di-cis-retinoic acid) by photoisomerization under natural light. Geometric isomers of retinoic acid thus formed showed different effects on human epidermal keratinocyte growth and differentiation. The ability of the isomers to inhibit the synthesis of cornified envelope (terminal event in the keratinocyte differentiation program) changed rapidly when illuminated by white fluorescent light. The 11-cis-retinoic acid had a 3-fold stronger activity to inhibit the growth of keratinocytes than the other geometric isomers. On the other hand, all-trans-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid and 9-13-di-cis-retinoic acid exhibited a 3-fold greater ability to inhibit synthesis of involucrin, transglutaminase and the cornified envelopes. The regulation of keratin expression by the geometric isomers of retinoic acids was extremely complex. Level of keratin-1 (K1) mRNA was increased by 11-cis-retinoic acid and 13-cis-retinoic acid, but suppressed by 9,13-di-cis-retinoic acids while all-trans-retinoic acid and 9-cis-retinoic acid had no effect. Level of keratin-10 (K10) mRNA was strongly inhibited by all-trans-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid and 11-cis-retinoic acid as compared to 13-cis-retinoic acid and 9,13-di-cis-retinoic acids. The mRNA level of keratin-14 (K14) was suppressed by all-trans-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid and 11-cis-retinoic acid but not influenced by 13-cis-retinoic acid and 9,13-di-cis-retinoic acid. Natural light induced structural inter-conversions among the geometric isomers of retinoic acids in tissues-especially the skin, might play a crucial role in the regulation of growth and differentiation of keratinocytes.     

The effects of unsaturated fatty acids on lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells

We investigated the effects of stearic acid (saturated), oleic acid (monounsaturated), linoleic acid (n-6 polyunsaturated), and alpha-linolenic acid (n-3 polyunsaturated) on lipid metabolism in a hepatocyte-derived cell line, HepG2. HepG2 cells were cultured in medium supplemented with either stearic acid (0.1% w/v), oleic acid (0.1% v/v), linoleic acid (0.1% v/v), or alpha-linolenic acid (0.1% v/v). After 24 h, expression of lipid metabolism-associated genes was evaluated by real-time PCR. Alpha-linolenic acid showed a suppressive effect on the hepatic fatty acid de novo synthesis and fatty acid oxidation pathways, while linoleic acid also showed a tendency to suppress these pathways although the effect was weaker. Moreover, alpha-linolenic acid enhanced the expression of enzymes associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) elimination. In contrast, oleic acid tended to promote fatty acid synthesis and oxidation. In conclusion, alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid may be expected to ameliorate hepatic steatosis by downregulating fatty acid de novo synthesis and fatty acid oxidation, and by upregulating ROS elimination enzymes. Oleic acid had no distinct effects for improving steatosis or oxidative stress.     

Characterization of liver cholic acid coenzyme A ligase activity. Evidence that separate microsomal enzymes are responsible for cholic acid and fatty acid activation.

Investigations on the cholic acid CoA ligase activity of rat liver microsomes were made possible by the development of a rapid, sensitive radiochemical assay based on the conversion of [3H]choloyl-CoA. More than 70% of the rat liver cholic acid CoA ligase activity was associated with the microsomal subcellular fraction. The dependencies of cholic acid CoA ligase activity on pH, ATP, CoA, Triton WR-1339, acetone, ethanol, magnesium, and salts were investigated. The hypothesis that the long chain fatty acid CoA ligase activity and the cholic acid CoA ligase activity are catalyzed by a single microsomal enzyme was investigated. The ATP, CoA, and cholic (palmitic) acid kinetics neither supported nor negated the hypothesis. Cholic acid was not an inhibitor of the fatty acid CoA ligase and palmitic acid was not a competitive inhibitor of the cholic acid CoA ligase. The cholic acid CoA ligase activity utilized dATP as a substrate more effectively than did the fatty acid CoA ligase activity. The cholic acid and fatty acid CoA ligase activities appeared to have different pH dependencies, differed in thermolability at 41 degrees, and were differentially inactivated by phospholipase C. Moreover, fatty acid CoA ligase activity was present in microsomal fractions from all rat organs tested while cholic acid CoA ligase activity was detected only in liver microsomes. The data suggest that separate microsomal enzymes are responsible for the cholic acid and the fatty acid CoA ligase activities in liver.     

An isoelectric focusing study of acid phosphohydrolases in rat liver lysosomes.

The differentiation of rat liver lysosomal acid phosphatase, acid ATPase, acid phosphodiesterase, acid ribonuclease, and acid deoxyribonuclease was studied by isoelectric focusing. To prevent autolytic digestion, inhibitors of cathepsins and neuraminidase were used. The proportion of acidic forms of acid phosphatase, acid ATPase and acid phosphodiesterase was increased by the use of extraction medium containing 0.05% Triton X-100. To investigate the identity of acid ATPase and acid phosphodiesterase, the relative activities among the multiple forms of these enzymes, the acid phosphodiesterase/acid ATPase ratio at each activity peak, and the degree of enzyme inhibition by p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid were estimated. The results suggest that acid ATPase is not identical with acid phosphodiesterase. With extraction medium free of Triton X-100, acid ribonuclease appeared in two forms. However, in addition to these forms, a new form of this enzyme with a more acidic pI (4.22) emerged when extraction medium containing 0.05% Triton X-100 was used. The major peak of acid deoxyribonuclease with pI=8.40-9.39 was obtained regardless of the extracting method.     

The reaction of hyaluronic acid and its monomers, glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine, with reactive oxygen species

Synovial fluid is a approximately 0.15% (w/v) aqueous solution of hyaluronic acid (HA), a polysaccharide consisting of alternating units of GlcA and GlcNAc. In synovial fluid of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, HA is thought to be degraded either by radicals generated by Fenton chemistry (Fe2+/H2O2) or by NaOCl generated by myeloperoxidase. We investigated the course of model reactions of these two reactants in physiological buffer with HA, and with the corresponding monomers GlcA and GlcNAc. meso-Tartaric acid, arabinuronic acid, arabinaric acid and glucaric acid were identified by GC-MS as oxidation products of glucuronic acid. When GlcNAc was oxidised, erythronic acid, arabinonic acid, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-gluconic acid, glyceric acid, erythrose and arabinose were formed. NaOCl oxidation of HA yielded meso-tartaric acid; in addition, arabinaric acid and glucaric acid were obtained by oxidation with Fe2+/H2O2. These results indicate that oxidative degradation of HA proceeds primarily at glucuronic acid residues. meso-Tartaric acid may be a useful biomarker of hyaluronate oxidation since it is produced by both NaOCl and Fenton chemistry.