Effect of butylated hydroxyanisole on the toxicity of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone to rats

It has previously been shown that rats pre-treated with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a well-known inducer of the enzyme DT-diaphorase, are protected against the harmful effects of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. This is consistent with a role for diaphorase in the detoxification of this quinone, but it is not known if increased tissue levels of this enzyme give protection against other naphthoquinone derivatives. In the present study, rats were dosed with BHA and then challenged with a toxic dose of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, a substance that causes haemolytic anaemia and renal damage in vivo. Pre-treatment with BHA had no effect upon the nephrotoxicity of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, but the severity of the haemolysis induced by this compound was increased in the animals given BHA. DT-Diaphorase is known to promote the redox cycling of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone in vitro, with concomitant formation of 'active oxygen' species. The results of the present experiment suggest that activation of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone by DT-diaphorase may also occur in vivo and show that increased tissue levels of DT-diaphorase are not always associated with naphthoquinone detoxification.     

Effects of modulation of tissue activities of DT-diaphorase on the toxicity of 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone to rats

The enzyme DT-diaphorase mediates the two-electron reduction of quinones to hydroquinones. It has previously been shown that the toxicity of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone to rats is decreased by pre-treatment of the animals with compounds that increase tissue levels of this enzyme. In contrast, the severity of the haemolytic anaemia induced in rats by 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone was increased in animals with high levels of DT-diaphorase. In the present experiments, the effect of alterations in tissue diaphorase activities on the toxicity of a third naphthoquinone derivative, 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, has been investigated. This compound induced severe haemolysis and slight renal tubular necrosis in control rats. Pre-treatment of the animals with BHA, a potent inducer of DT-diaphorase, diminished the severity of the haemolysis induced by this compound and abolished its nephrotoxicity. Pre-treatment with dicoumarol, an inhibitor of this enzyme, caused only a slight increase in the haemolysis induced by 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, but provoked a massive increase in its nephrotoxicity. Modulation of DT-diaphorase activity in animals may therefore not only alter the severity of naphthoquinone toxicity, but also cause pronounced changes in the site of toxic action of these substances. The factors that may control whether induction of DT-diaphorase in animals will decrease or increase naphthoquinone toxicity are discussed.     

Effect of inducers of DT-diaphorase on the haemolytic activity and nephrotoxicity of 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone in rats

Reduction of naphthoquinones by DT-diaphorase is often described as a detoxification reaction. This is true for some naphthoquinone derivatives, such as alkyl and di-alkyl naphthoquinones, but the situation with other substances, such as 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, is more complex. In the present study, the effect of several substances that are known to increase tissue activities of DT-diaphorase on the toxicity of 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone has been investigated. Like 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, the 2-amino-derivative was found to cause both haemolytic anaemia and renal tubular necrosis in rats. Again like 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, the severity of the haemolysis induced by the 2-amino derivative was increased in animals pre-treated with inducers of DT-diaphorase, but the degree of nephrotoxicity was decreased. With these substances, therefore, DT-diaphorase both activates and detoxifies the quinone, depending on the target organ. It is not possible to generalise with regard to the effects of modulation of tissue levels of DT-diaphorase on naphthoquinone toxicity in vivo, since this may change not only the severity of the toxic effects, but also the target organ specificity. In evaluating the possible therapeutic applications of such compounds, the possibility of toxic effects upon the blood and kidney must be borne in mind. In man, renal damage by compounds such as 2-hydroxy- and 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone may be a particular problem, because of the low level of DT-diaphorase in human liver.     

DT-diaphorase-catalysed reduction of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives and glutathionyl-quinone conjugates. Effect of substituents on autoxidation rates.

DT-diaphorase catalysed the reduction of 1,4-naphthoquinones with hydroxy, methyl, methoxy and glutathionyl substituents at the expense of reducing equivalents from NADPH. The initial rates of quinone reduction did not correlate with either the half-wave reduction potential (E1/2) value (determined by h.p.l.c. with electrochemical detection against an Ag/AgCl reference electrode) or the partition coefficient of the quinones. After their reduction by DT-diaphorase the 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives autoxidized at distinct rates, the extent of which was influenced by the nature of the substituents. Thus for the 1,4-naphthoquinone series the following order of rate of autoxidation was found: 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 3-glutathionyl-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 5-hydroxy-3-glutathionyl-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. For the 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (menadione) series the following order was observed: 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 3-glutathionyl-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 3-glutathionyl-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. The autoxidized naphthohydroquinone derivatives were re-reduced by DT-diaphorase, thus closing a cycle of enzymic reduction in equilibrium autoxidation. This was expressed as an excess of NADPH oxidized over the initial concentration of quinone present as well as H2O2 formation. These findings demonstrate that glutathionyl conjugates of 1,4-naphthoquinone and 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and those of their respective 5-hydroxy derivatives are able to act as substrates for DT-diaphorase and that they also autoxidize at rates higher than those for the unsubstituted parent compounds. These results are discussed in terms of the cellular role of DT-diaphorase in the reduction of hydroxy- or glutathionyl-substituted naphthoquinones as well as the further conjugation of these hydroquinones with glucuronide or sulphate within the cellular milieu, thereby facilitating their disposal from the cells.     

Concerted action of DT-diaphorase and superoxide dismutase in preventing redox cycling of naphthoquinones: An evaluation

It has been suggested that the enzymes DT-diaphorase and superoxide dismutase act in concert to prevent redox cycling of naphthoquinones and thus protect against the toxic effects of such substances. Little is known, however, about the scope of this process or the conditions necessary for its operation. In the presence of low levels of DT-diaphorase, 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone was found to undergo redox cycling. This was very effectively inhibited by SOD, and in the presence of both enzymes the hydroquinone was maintained in the reduced form. The inhibitory effect of the enzyme combination was overcome, however, at high concentrations of the quinone, or by small increases in pH. Furthermore, redox cycling was re-established by addition of haemoproteins such as cytochrome c and methaemoglobin. DT-diaphorase and SOD strongly inhibited redox cycling of 2,3-dimethyl- and 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, but not that of 2-hydroxy-, 5-hydroxy- or 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone. Inhibition of redox cycling by a combination of DT-diaphorase and SOD is therefore not applicable to all naphthoquinone derivatives, and when it does occur, it may be overwhelmed at high quinone concentrations, and it may not operate under slightly alkaline conditions or in the presence of tissue components capable of initiating hydroquinone autoxidation.     

Inhibition of naphthohydroquinone autoxidation by DT-diaphorase (NAD(P)H:[quinone acceptor] oxidoreductase)

Summary

It has been reported that little redox cycling occurs during the reduction of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone by DT-diaphorase, suggesting that the reduction product, 2-methyl-1,4-naphthohydroquinone, does not readily undergo autoxidation. In the present study, however, it has been shown that DT-diaphorase, by virtue of its ability to re-reduce the naphthoquinone formed in the oxidation reaction, decreases the rate of autoxidation of 2-methyl-1,4- naphthohydroquinone. Therefore, the low rate of redox cycling observed does not reflect an intrinsic stability of the hydroquinone but inhibition of its autoxidation by the enzyme. Redox cycling of 2,3-dimethyl-, 2,3-dimethoxy- and 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, and the autoxidation of their respective hydroquinones, were similarly inhibited by diaphorase. The concentration of the enzyme required for inhibition varied widely among the different compounds, and this was related to the autoxidation rate of the hydroquinone and the rate at which the corresponding quinone was reduced by diaphorase. The behaviour of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone was exceptional in that the rate of redox cycling increased with increasing levels of diaphorase and no inhibition of the autoxidation of the hydroquinone derived from this substance could be demonstrated, even at very high enzyme concentrations. The results of the present experiments indicate that the relative stability of naphthohydroquinones cannot be judged on the basis of studies involving reduction of the quinone by DT-diaphorase and suggest that current concepts on the role of this enzyme in the detoxification of quinones may need revision.     

Comparative toxicity of alkyl-1,4-naphthoquinones in rats: Relationship to free radical production in vitro

2-Methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone causes haemolysis in vivo. This toxic effect is believed to result from oxidative damage to erythrocytes by “active oxygen” species formed via one-electron reduction of the naphthoquinone by oxyhaemoglobin. In the present investigation, seven 2-alkyl-1,4-naphthoquinones have been studied with regard to their haemolytic activity in rats, their ability to cause oxidative damage in erythrocytes in vitro, and their reactivity toward oxyhaemoglobin. A close correlation was observed between the in vivo and in vitro parameters, suggesting that the proposed mechanism of toxicity of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone is correct and is also applicable to other alkylnaphthoquinones.     

Chemical structures critical for the induction of FMN-dependent NADH-quinone reductase in Escherichia coli.

An FMN-dependent NADH-quinone reductase is induced in Escherichia coli by growing the cells in the presence of menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone). Since the properties of induced enzyme are very similar to those of NAD(P)H: (quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.99.2), known as DT-diaphorase, from animal cells, structural requirements of quinone derivatives as an inducer of NADH-quinone reductase in E. coli were examined. Among quinone derivatives examined, it was found that 2-alkyl-1,4-quinone structure with C-3 unsubstituted or substituted with Br is critical as a common inductive signal. Michael reaction acceptors which have been reported to be strong inducers of DT-diaphorase in mouse hepatoma cells were not always effective inducers in E. coli. However, several compounds, such as 2-methylene-4-butyrolactone, methylacrylate and methyl vinyl ketone, showed a slight inductive activity. The efficient inducers of NADH-quinone reductase in E. coli contain 1,4-quinone structure as a part of the inductive signal. These compounds belong to Michael acceptors and are likely to conjugate with thiol compounds such as glutathione.     

Effect of hydroxy substituent position on 1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity to rat hepatocytes.

The effect of hydroxy substitution on 1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity to cultured rat hepatocytes was studied. Toxicity of the quinones decreased in the series 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, and intracellular GSSG formation decreased in the order 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone much greater than 1,4-naphthoquinone much greater than 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. The electrophilicity of the quinones decreased in the order 1,4-naphthoquinone much greater than 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone much greater than 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. Treatment of the hepatocytes with BSO (buthionine sulfoximine) or BCNU (1,3-bis-2-chloroethyl-1-nitrosourea) increased 5-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone and 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity, whereas neither BSO nor BCNU largely affected 1,4-naphthoquinone and 2-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone toxicity. Dicumarol increased the toxicity of 1,4-naphthoquinone dramatically and somewhat the toxicity of 2-hydroxy-1,4- naphthoquinone, whereas 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity increased only slightly. The toxicity of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone decreased dramatically in reduced O2 concentration, whereas 1,4-naphthoquinone, 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity was not largely affected. It was concluded that 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone toxicity is due to free radical formation, whereas the toxicity of 1,4-naphthoquinone and of 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone also has an electrophilic addition component. The toxicity of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone could not be fully explained by either of these phenomena.     

Hydroxysesamone and 2,3-epoxysesamone from roots of Sesamum indicum.

A red naphthoquinone, named hydroxysesamone, was isolated from the roots of Sesamum indicum together with a known yellow naphthoxirene derivative, 2,3-epoxy-2,3-dihydro-5,8-dihydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone, named 2,3-epoxysesamone. The structure of the naphthoquinone was characterized as 2,5,8-trihydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone on the basis of spectral evidence. Full assignments of NMR resonances of 2,3-epoxysesamone were also confirmed by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic experiments. Chlorosesamone, hydroxysesamone and 2,3-epoxysesamone all showed antifungal activities toward Cladosporium fulvum.     

Effects of butylated hydroxyanisole on the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase of rats and mice

The effects of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activities in the liver, lung and skin of rats and mice have been studied to examine the possible mechanisms of the anticarcinogenic actions of these compounds. Both compounds inhibit the hydroxylase activities of hepatic microsomes and nuclei, with BHA a more potent inhibitor than BHT. The AHH of lung microsomes is inhibited to a lesser extent by BHA and BHT than that of the liver. The AHH activities of both liver and lung microsomes become less susceptible to the inhibition after pretreatment of the animals with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) but phenobarbital (PB) pretreatment does not produce such an effect. In skin homogenates, however, the AHH activities of control rats and mice are not inhibited by BHA and BHT. The only skin sample which is inhibited by BHA and BHT is that from TCDD-pretreated mice. It has been established that the extent of inhibition with different samples is related to the concentration of BHA in the incubation but not to the amounts or specific activities of microsomes used. Double reciprocal plots suggest that BHA exerts a mixed inhibition on the hydroxylase of liver microsomes with a K_i of 7.7 μM. Analysis of the metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) shows that BHA inhibits the formation of various metabolites uniformly without changing the regio-selectivity of the enzyme system. The mechanism of inhibition has also been studied with a reconstituted AHH system consisting of cytochrome P-450 (P-450), reductase and phospholipid. The system with P-450 isolated from PB-induced microsomes is inhibited to a much greater extent than that with MC-induced P-450. The results indicate that the inhibitory action of BHA is dependent on the species of the animal, tissue types and treatment with inducers.     

Study of the redox properties of naphthazarin (5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) and its glutathionyl conjugate in biological reactions: one- and two-electron enzymatic reduction

Naphthazarin (5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), the basic unit of several tetracyclic antitumor antibiotics, and its glutathione conjugate were reduced by the one- and two-electron transfer flavoproteins NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and DT-diaphorase to their semi- and hydroquinone forms, respectively. Kinetic studies performed on purified DT-diaphorase showed the following results: KNADPHm = 68 microM, KQuinonem = 0.92 microM, and Vmax 1300 nmol X min-1 X microgram enzyme-1. Similar studies performed on purified NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase indicated a lower KNADPHm (10.5 microM) and higher KQuinonem (2.3 microM). The Vmax values were 20-fold lower (46 nmol X min-1 X micrograms enzyme-1) than those observed with DT-diaphorase. DT-diaphorase reduced the naphthazarin-glutathione conjugate with an efficiency 5-fold lower than that observed with the parent quinone. The nucleophilic addition of GSH to naphthazarin proceeded with GSH consumption at rates slower than those observed with 1,4-naphthoquinone and its monohydroxy derivative, 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. The initial rate of GSH consumption during these reactions did not vary whether the assay was carried out under anaerobic or aerobic conditions. Autoxidation accompanied the DT-diaphorase and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase catalysis of naphthazarin and its glutathionyl adduct as well as the 1,4-reductive addition of GSH to naphthazarin. Superoxide dismutase at catalytic concentrations (nM range) enhanced slightly (1.1- to 1.6-fold) the autoxidation following the enzymatic catalysis of naphthazarin. Autoxidation during the GSH reductive addition to 1,4-naphthoquinones decreased with increasing number of -OH substituents, 1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone greater than 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, thus revealing that the contribution of redox transitions other than autoxidation, e.g., cross-oxidation, to the decay of the primary product of nucleophilic addition increases with increasing number of -OH substituents. Superoxide dismutase enhanced substantially the autoxidation of glutathionyl-naphthohydroquinone adducts, thereby affecting only slightly the total GSH consumed and GSSG formed during the reaction. The present results are discussed in terms of the relative contribution of one- and two-electron transfer flavoproteins to the bioreductive activation of naphthazarin and its glutathionyl conjugate as well as the importance of autoxidation reactions in the mechanism(s) of quinone cytotoxicity.     

Insecticidal activities of a Diospyros kaki root-isolated constituent and its derivatives against Nilaparvata lugens and Laodelphax striatellus

Diospyros kaki root-derived materials were examined for insecticidal properties against Nilaparvata lugens and Laodelphax striatellus. Based on the LD₅₀ values, the chloroform fraction of D. kaki extracts showed the most activity against N. lugens (3.78 μg/female) and L. striatellus (7.32 μg/female). The active constituent of the chloroform fraction was isolated by various chromatographic methods and was identified as 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone by spectroscopic analyses. To establish the structure–activity relationships, the insecticidal effects of 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives against N. lugens and L. striatellus were determined using micro-topical application bioassays. On the basis of LD₅₀ values, 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone was the most effective against N. lugens (0.072 μg/female) and L. striatellus (0.183 μg/female). 2-Bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, and 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone also had potent insecticidal activities against N. lugens and L. striatellus. In contrast, no insecticidal activity was observed with 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone or 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. These results indicate that the functional group (bromo- and hydroxyl-) at the C-2 position of the 1,4-naphthoquinone skeleton and the change in position of the hydroxyl group play important roles in insecticidal activity. Therefore, naturally occurring D. kaki root-derived 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives may be suitable as insecticides.     

Activity of 7-methyljuglone derivatives against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and as subversive substrates for mycothiol disulfide reductase

The naphthoquinone 7-methyljuglone (5-hydroxy-7-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) has previously been isolated and identified as an active component of root extracts of Euclea natalensis which displays antitubercular activity. Herein, a series of synthetic and plant-derived naphthoquinone derivates of the 7-methyljuglone scaffold have been prepared and evaluated for antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Several of these compounds have been shown to operate as subversive substrates with mycothiol disulfide reductase. The absence of a direct correlation between antitubercular activity and subversive substrate efficiency with mycothiol disulfide reductase, might be a consequence of their non-specific reactivity with multiple biological targets (e.g. other disulfide reductases).     

Synthesis of fluoro- and hydroxy-derivatives of vitamin K as substrates or inhibitors of the liver microsomal vitamin K-dependent carboxylase.

The rat liver microsomal vitamin K-dependent carboxylase catalyzes the carboxylation of glutamyl to gamma-carboxyglutamyl residues in the presence of reduced vitamin K, O2 and CO2. The specificity of the enzyme for the vitamin substrate has been probed by the synthesis of a series of fluoro- hydroxy- and methoxy-analogs. 2-Fluoro-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and 2-methyl-3-(1'-fluorodecyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone were synthesized but found to be unstable under enzyme assay conditions. The reduced (naphthohydroquinone) forms of 2-hydroxy-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-methoxymethyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and 2-methyl-3-(1'-hydroxy-decyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone were inactive as substrates, but inhibitors of the enzyme. The two hydroxy analogs were shown to be low Ki (less than 10 microM) inhibitors of the reduced 2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone-dependent activity of the enzyme. The oxidized forms of these compounds did not inhibit the enzyme and they had no activity as in vivo anticoagulants.     

Reduction of Brain Antioxidant Defense Upon Treatment with Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Sudan III in Syrian Golden Hamster

Treatment with the antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or the azo dye Sudan III during two weeks led to changes in the brain enzymatic antioxidant defense of Syrian golden hamsters. BHA was able to induce liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) 2-fold but had no effect on the brain SOD activity, whereas SOD activity was reduced to 50% in brain and remained unchanged in liver with Sudan III. These two substances are known inducers of DT-diaphorase and in fact this enzymatic activity was induced 4- and 6-fold in liver with BHA and Sudan III, respectively. However, BHA promoted a significant 40% reduction, whereas no change was observed with Sudan III in brain DT-diaphorase activity. Glutathione(GSH)-related enzymatic activities were also assayed in brain and liver. No induction was observed with BHA or Sudan III for any of the activities tested in hamster brain: GSH S-transferase (GST), GSH peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) reductase (GR). Only 1.3- and 1. 4-fold increases of GST and GR activities were observed in liver and no change in any of these enzymatic activities in brain with BHA; a partial limitation of permeability to BHA of the blood-brain barrier may explain this results. Furthermore, Sudan III promoted reductions in all these GSH-related enzymatic activities in brain and liver. The possible explanations for these results are discussed.Deceased 4th November 1998     

Rat strain variations in liver cytosolic DT-diaphorase activity and possible significance of the trait in carcinogenesis by azo dyes

1. Strain variations among female rats in terms of cytosolic DT-diaphorase activity were studied in liver, heart and glandular stomach tissues with or without administration of 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA). 2. BHA induced liver DT-diaphorase activity in all strains examined, and both the basal and induced activities varied according to strain. Among the five strains tested, Brown Norway (BN) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats showed relatively high levels of enzyme activity in the liver, whereas Fischer (F344) rats showed a relatively low level of activity. Results of examination of Fischer-BN-F1 rats indicated that a lower level of liver DT-diaphorase activity was inherited essentially as a dominant trait. 3. Liver DT-diaphorase activity in male rats was significantly lower than in female rats. Small strain variations of the activity, if any, were observed in the heart and stomach cytosolic fractions with or without induction by BHA. The magnitude of induction by BHA was also small, if any, in heart and stomach cytosolic fractions. 4. From these and other observations, we discussed the differences between rats and mice in these strain and tissue variations of DT-diaphorase activity, and also the possible significance of liver DT-diaphorase activity in carcinogenesis by azo dyes.     

Effect of superoxide dismutase on the autoxidation of substituted hydro- and semi-naphthoquinones

The effect of superoxide dismutase on the autoxidation of hydro- and semi-1,4-naphthoquinones with different substitution pattern and covering a one-electron reduction potential range from -95 to -415 mV was examined. The naphthoquinone derivatives were reduced via one or two electrons by purified NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase or DT-diaphorase, respectively. Superoxide dismutase did not alter or slightly enhance the initial rates of enzymic reduction, whereas it affected in a different manner the following autoxidation of the semi- and hydroquinones formed. Autoxidation was assessed as NADPH oxidation in excess to the amounts required to reduce the quinone present, H2O2 formation, and the redox state of the quinones. Superoxide dismutase enhanced 2--8-fold the autoxidation of 1,4-naphthosemiquinones, following the reduction of the oxidized counterpart by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, except for the glutathionyl-substituted naphthosemiquinones, whose autoxidation was not affected by superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase exerted two distinct effects on the autoxidation of naphthohydroquinones formed during DT-diaphorase catalysis: on the one hand, it enhanced slightly the autoxidation of 1,4-naphthohydroquinones with a hydroxyl substituent in the benzene ring: 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and the corresponding derivatives with methyl- and/or glutathionyl substituents at C2 and C3, respectively. On the other hand, superoxide dismutase inhibited the autoxidation of naphthohydroquinones that were either unsubstituted or with glutathionyl-, methyl-, methoxyl-, hydroxyl substituents (the latter in the quinoid ring). The inhibition of hydroquinone autoxidation was reflected as a decrease of NADPH oxidation, suppression of H2O2 production, and accumulation of the reduced form of the quinone. The enhancement of autoxidation of 1,4-naphthosemiquinones by superoxide dismutase has been previously rationalized in terms of the rapid removal of O2-. by the enzyme from the equilibrium of the autoxidation reaction (Q2-. + O2----Q + O2-.), thus displacing it towards the right. The superoxide dismutase-dependent inhibition of H2O2 formation as well as NADPH oxidation during the autoxidation of naphthohydroquinones--except those with a hydroxyl substituent in the benzene ring--seems to apply to those organic substrates which can break down with simultaneous formation of a semiquinone and O2-.. Inhibition of hydroquinone autoxidation by superoxide dismutase can be interpreted in terms of suppression by the enzyme of O2-.- dependent chain reactions or a direct catalytic interaction with the enzyme that might involve reduction of the semiquinone at expense of O2(-.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The peroxidase-dependent activation of butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) to reactive intermediates. Formation of BHT-quinone methide via a chemical-chemical interaction

The food antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are shown to be metabolized to covalent binding intermediates and various other metabolites by prostaglandin H synthase and horseradish peroxidase. BHA was extensively metabolized by horseradish peroxidase (80% conversion of parent BHA into metabolites) resulting in the formation of three dimeric products. Only two of these dimers were observed in prostaglandin H synthase-catalyzed reactions. In contrast to BHA, BHT proved to be a relatively poor substrate for prostaglandin synthase and horseradish peroxidase, resulting in the formation of a small amount of polar and aqueous metabolites (23% conversion of parent BHT into metabolites). With arachidonic acid as the substrate, prostaglandin H synthase catalyzed the covalent binding of [14C]BHA and [14C]BHT to microsomal protein which was significantly inhibited by indomethacin and glutathione. The covalent binding of BHA and its metabolism to dimeric products were also inhibited by BHT. In contrast, the addition of BHA enhanced the covalent binding of BHT by 400%. Moreover, in the presence of BHA, the formation of the polar and aqueous metabolites of BHT was increased and two additional metabolites, BHT-quinone methide and stilbenequinone, were detected. The increased peroxidase-dependent oxidation of BHT in the presence of BHA is proposed to occur via the direct chemical interaction of BHA phenoxyl radical with BHT or BHT phenoxyl radical. These results suggest a potential role for phenoxyl radicals in the activation of xenobiotic chemicals to toxic metabolites.     

Effects of the butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the arylamines N-acetyltransferase activity in rat white blood cells

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were used to determine any effects on the N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity in rat whole blood and white blood cells as measured by high performance liquid chromatography assay for the amounts of N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene (AAF) and 2-aminofluorene (AF). Two assay systems were performed, one with cellular cytosols, the other with intact white blood cells. The NAT activity in the whole blood and white blood cell cytosols was suppressed by BHA and BHT in a dose-dependent manner, i.e. the higher the concentrations of BHA and BHT, the higher the inhibition of NAT activity. Time-course experiments showed that NAT activity measured from the intact white blood cells was inhibited by BHA and BHT up to 24 h. The results suggest that BHA and BHT suppressed AF acetylation in rat blood with intact white blood cells.