Biosynthesis of carotenoids in plastids of plants

This review deals with various aspects of the biosynthesis of carotenoids in chromoplasts and chloroplasts of green algae and higher plants. Two pathways of biosynthesis of the key C5-isoprene units are considered: 1) from acetate via mevalonate (C6) followed by its enzymatic conversions to isopentenyl diphosphate (C5); 2) from glucose via formation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (C3) and pyruvate and their condensation via intermediary products to isopentenyl diphosphate (C5). Subsequent biosynthesis of carotenoids from isopentenyl diphosphate (C5) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (C5) involves a common route including their conversion into geranyl diphosphate (C10), farnesyl diphosphate (C15), geranylgeranyl diphosphate (C20), and synthesis of phytoene (C40). All stages of phytoene desaturation accompanied by formation of acyclic compounds such as zeta-carotene, neurosporene, and lycopene and their cyclization to alpha-, beta-, and epsilon-carotenes are considered in detail. Formation of xanthophylls in chloroplasts and chromoplasts involves sequential oxidations yielding hydroxy, epoxy, and oxo groups. Genetic control of biosynthesis of carotenoids is considered.     

Croton zehntneri essential oil: effects on behavioral models related to depression and anxiety.

Croton zehntneri (Cz), a popular plant used to treat "nervous disturbance", contains a complex mixture of compounds, including substances exhibiting central nervous system activity. The effects of Cz essential oil administration (p.o.) on the rat's central nervous system were studied in behavioral models used to evaluate anxiety and antidepressive drugs. The results showed that administration of Cz essential oil: 1) increased the immobility duration measured in the forced swimming test as compared to control group (control = 89.8 +/- 45.8; 1 microl = 153.0 +/- 48.7; 3 microl = 157.4 +/- 45.3; 10 microl = 145.3 +/- 51.0); 2) reduced the locomotion frequency observed in the open field (control = 62.5 +/- 22.7; 3 microl = 38.0 +/- 13.5; 10 microl = 39.2 +/- 22.2); 3) had no effect on the experimental group (1 microl) observed in open field; 4) had no effect on animals tested in social interactions, plus-maze and holeboard tests. These data suggest that Cz oil produced central depressor effects in rats without any anxiety alterations. These results may explain the popular use of this plant in Brazilian folk medicine for treating "nervous disturbances".     

Synthesis of a novel N[bond]O-interglycosidic disaccharide

The carbohydrate subunits carrying an N-O-interglycosidic bond play a very important role in the biological activity of the enediyne antibiotics. Condensation of O-(alpha- and beta-D-glucopyranosyl)hydroxylamine (5a and 5b) with the hex-3-ulopyranoside (6) furnished methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-dideoxy-3-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyloxy)imino-alpha- and beta-D-erythro-hexopyranoside (7a and 7b). Stereoselective reduction of the Cz.dbnd6;N bond of 7a and 7b with sodium cyanoborohydride resulted in the formation of the required protected N-O-interglycosidic disaccharides (8a and 8b). Finally, catalytic hydrogenation of 8a afforded methyl 2,3-dideoxy-3-(alpha-D-glucopyranosyloxy)amino-alpha-D-ribo-hexopyranoside (9a). Under similar conditions the beta anomer 8b underwent decomposition.     

The FSH-inhibin axis in Prader-Willi Syndrome: heterogeneity of gonadal dysfunction

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: We characterized the spectrum and etiology of hypogonadism in a cohort of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) adolescents and adults. METHODS: Reproductive hormonal profiles and physical examination were performed on 19 males and 16 females ages 16-34 years with PWS. Gonadotropins, sex-steroids, inhibin B (INB) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) were measured. We defined 4 groups according to the relative contribution of central and gonadal dysfunction based on FSH and INB levels: Group A: primary hypogonadism (FSH >15 IU/l and undetectable INB (<10 pg/ml); Group B: central hypogonadism (FSH <0.5 IU/l, INB <10pg/ml); Group C: partial gonadal & central dysfunction (FSH 1.5-15 IU/l, INB >20 pg/ml); Group D: mild central and severe gonadal dysfunction (FSH 1.5-15 IU/l, INB < 10 pg/ml. RESULTS: There were 10, 8, 9 and 8 individuals in Groups A-D respectively; significantly more males in group A (9, 4, 4 and 2; P=0.04). Significant differences between the groups were found in mean testosterone (P=0.04), AMH (P=0.003) and pubic hair (P=0.04) in males and mean LH (P=0.003) and breast development (P=0.04) in females. Mean age, height, weight, BMI and the distribution of genetic subtypes were similar within the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of FSH and inhibin B revealed four distinct phenotypes ranging from primary gonadal to central hypogonadism. Primary gonadal dysfunction was common, while severe gonadotropin deficiency was rare. Longitudinal studies are needed to verify whether the individual phenotypes are consistent.     

Analysis of metabolites in the terpenoid pathway of Catharanthus roseus cell suspensions

In Catharanthus roseus cell cultures, the monoterpenoid pathway has been shown to be a limiting factor in terpenoid indole alkaloid (TIA) production. This could be due to competition at the level of isopentenyl diphosphate::dimethylallyl diphosphate (C5) which leads to the biosynthesis of different terpenoid groups. For future engineering of the terpenoid pathway, chemical characterization of C. roseus cell cultures is a necessity. Therefore, in this study nine C. roseus cell suspension lines were characterized by analyzing the levels of the major terpenoids derived from different biosynthetic pathways which may compete for the same precursors; TIA (monoterpenoid, C10), carotenoids (tetraterpenoid, C40), and sterols (triterpenoid, C30). Among the cell lines, CRPP (S) was the most promising TIA-producing cell line which provided more TIA [24 μmol g^?1 dry weight (DW)] than carotenoids (15 μmol g^?1 DW) and sterols (2 μmol g^?1 DW). However, when considering the distribution of the isopentenyl-precursor (C5), the carotenoids which assemble from 8× C5 represent twofold more C5-units (122 μmol g^?1 DW) than the TIA in this cell line. In the CRPP (G), A12A2 (G), and A12A2 (S) cell lines, the C5 distribution was predominant toward carotenoid biosynthesis as well, resulting in a relatively high accumulation of carotenoids. The geranylgeranyl diphosphate (C20) pathway toward carotenoid production is therefore considered competitive toward TIA biosynthesis. For channeling more precursors to the TIA, the branch point for C10 and C20 seems an interesting target for metabolic engineering. Using principal component analysis of the chromatographic data, we characterized the cell lines chemically based on their metabolite levels. The information on the metabolic composition of C. roseus cell cultures is useful for developing strategies to engineer the metabolic pathways and for selection of cell lines for future studies.     

The effect of an acute phase response on tissue carotenoid levels of growing chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Plasma, liver and skin carotenoids decrease following infectious disease challenges. Since these challenges often involve substantial host pathology and chronic immune responses, the mechanism underlying altered carotenoid deposition is unclear. Therefore, changes in tissue carotenoid levels were examined during an acute phase response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin-1 (IL-1). In two experiments, chicks were hatched from carotenoid-deplete eggs (n=28, n=64, respectively) and fed 0, 8 or 38 mg carotenoids (lutein+canthaxanthin)/kg diet. For chicks fed 38 mg carotenoids, but not those fed 0 or 8 mg, LPS generally reduced plasma lutein, canthaxanthin and total carotenoids (P<0.05), and liver lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin and total carotenoids (P<0.05). Additionally, LPS reduced thymic total carotenoids (P=0.05) and increased thymocyte lutein (P=0.07), zeaxanthin (P=0.07) and total carotenoids (P=0.07). Finally, LPS increased bursal canthaxanthin (P<0.01), but had no effect on shank carotenoids (P>0.5). In chicks hatched from carotenoid-replete eggs (n=36) and fed dietary lutein (38 mg/kg diet), LPS reduced plasma and liver zeaxanthin and liver total carotenoids (P<0.05); IL-1 reduced plasma and liver lutein, zeaxanthin and total carotenoids (P<0.05). Therefore, an acute phase response plays a role in reduced tissue carotenoids during infectious disease.     

I b 型慢性丙肝患者血清IL-10、IL-12 水平 与HCV-RNA 载量关系的研究*

目的:研究I b型慢性丙肝患者血清IL-10、IL-12水平与HCV-RNA载量的关系,探讨难治性丙肝的免疫发病机制。方法:选取HCV-RNA阳性的I b型慢性丙肝患者48例,依据病毒载量将其分为三个组,低病毒载量组(1.0*103IU/mL1.0*106IU/mL)13例,另选HCV-RNA阴性的慢性HCV感染者15例,健康献血员15例作为对照组;应用ELISA法检测所有研究对象的血清IL-10、IL-12水平。结果:慢性丙肝患者外周血IL-10水平显著高于健康献血员(P=0.003),IL-12水平低于健康献血员(P=0.045);随着HCV-RNA载量的升高,HCV-RNA阳性的I b型慢性患者外周血IL-10水平逐渐升高,组间比较差异具有统计学意义(F=18.65,P=0.000);血清HCV-RNA载量与血清IL-10水平呈正相关(相关系数r=0.71,P=0.000),与血清IL-12水平无相关性(P=0.479)。结论:慢性HCV感染者与患者的细胞免疫均倾向于TH2型;I b型慢性丙肝患者外周血IL-10水平与HCV-RNA病毒载量呈正相关。     

不同密度下的鲤鱼扰动作用对沉积物-水界面硝化、反硝化和氨化速率的影响

为研究不同密度下的鲤鱼（Cyprinus carpio）扰动作用对沉积物-水界面硝化、反硝化及硝酸盐氨化速率的影响,实验设置了一个对照组（不放鲤鱼组,用C0表示）和5个不同鲤鱼放养密度组（2、4、6、8、10尾/水槽,分别用C2、C4、C6、C8、C10表示）,定期用无扰动底泥采集器采集沉积物样品,乙炔抑制法测定沉积物-水界面的硝化、反硝化及硝酸盐氨化速率,示踪颗粒法测定鲤鱼的物理扰动深度。主要实验结果如下:（1）在5种密度下,鲤鱼对底泥的物理扰动深度主要集中在15 cm。（2）空白组（C0）沉积物-水界面硝化速率显著高于鲤鱼放养组（P0.05）,而放养密度较大的C8和C10组,其沉积物-水界面的硝化速率显著高于低密度放养组（C2、C4和C6）（P0.05）。（3）实验期间,空白组（C0）沉积物-水界面几乎检测不出反硝化速率,而鲤鱼放养组则总体表现为放养密度越大,沉积物-水界面反硝化速率越高。（4）各组硝酸盐氨化速率波动范围不大,但放养密度较大的C8和C10组,其硝酸盐氨化速率相对其他组较高。实验结果表明:在实验条件下,鲤鱼对沉积物-水界面的硝化和反硝化作用均有明显的促进作用,放养密度越高促进作用越明显,在沉积物中有机碳含量充足的情况下,鲤鱼的扰动可以对富营养化池塘起到很好的去氮作用。       

五种国产梾木属(广义)植物的核型

对分布于我国的木来木属CornusL .(广义 ) 4个主要类群的 5种植物进行了细胞学研究。结果表明 ,这 5种植物的染色体数目和核型分别为 :灯台树C .controversaHemsl.2n=2 0 =2m 8sm 1 0st;红瑞木C .albaL .2n =2 2 =8sm 1 2st 2t;毛木来C .walteriWanger.2n =2 2 =8sm 1 4st(0_2SAT) ;山茱萸C .officinalisSeib .etZucc .2n =1 8=8m 1 0sm (0_2SAT) ;四照花 (变种 )C .kousavar.chinensisOsborn 2n =2 2=2sm 6st (0_2SAT) 1 4t     

Reaction of astaxanthin with peroxynitrite

The in vitro reactivities of astaxanthin toward peroxynitrite were investigated and the reaction products after scavenging with peroxynitrite were analyzed in order to determine the complete mechanism of this reaction. A series of carotenoids, 13-apo-astaxanthinone (1), 12'-apo-15'-nitroastaxanthinal (2), 12'-apo-astaxanthinal (3), 10'-apo-astaxanthinal (4), 9-cis-14'-s-cis-15'-nitroastaxanthin (5), 14'-s-cis-15'-nitroastaxanthin (6), 13-cis-14'-s-cis-15'-nitroastaxanthin (7), 10'-s-cis-11'-cis-11'-nitroastaxanthin (8), 13,15,13'-tri-cis-15'-nitroastaxanthin (9), 9-cis-astaxanthin (10), and 13-cis-astaxanthin (11), were isolated from the reaction products of carotenoids with peroxynitrite. Our previous studies achieved for the first time the isolation of nitro derivatives from the reaction of astaxanthin with peroxynitrite. Here we identify the major remaining reaction products of this reaction and investigate the stabilities of the nitro astaxanthins.     

Carotenoids in ripe green and in autumn senescing leaves of apple tree: I - Qualitative composition of free carotenoids,xanthophyll esters and fatty acids of esters

Abstract

By different chemical, spectral and chromatographic procedures seven carotenoids, two carotenes (α- and β-carotene) and five free xanthophylls (violaxanthin, lutein, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin and neoxanthin) have been isolated and identified in green apple leaves. In autumn senescing leaves, besides the above seven carotenoids, the occurrence of at least seven xanthophyll esters has also been proved. Four esters, violaxanthin mono- and diester and lutein mono- and diester, (≥90% of total esters) and a minor component, neoxanthin triester, have been identified. Another minor component is most probably a monoester of antheraxanthin; the seventh, present in traces, has not been identified.

The fatty acids combined with the above xanthophyll esters have been analysed by gas-chromatography. The unusual presence of low molecular weight fatty acids, C7-C11, has been registered (1,5-8% of the total); caprilic and capric acids have been identified. Lauric acid with three minor homologous (2-7% and myristic acid (9-15%) are also present. The major component, palmitic acid, with palmitoleic and two other minor components, reaches 36-44%. In addition a remarkable presence of oleic acid (12-26%) has been observed together with stearic (8-10%), linolenic (5-6%), arachidic (0,7-2,5%) and linolenic-gadoleic acids (2,5-9,3%).     

Force-dependent changes in movement-related cortical potentials

The purpose of this study was to compare movement-related cortical potentials (MRCPs) associated with different levels of isometric contractions by elbow flexors. Eight healthy, right-handed male subjects participated in this study and performed different levels (10 and 50% of maximal voluntary contraction) of isometric contractions by the right elbow flexors. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were recorded from Fz, C3, Cz and C4 of the international 10/20 system. Motor potential (MP) amplitudes (from −200 to approximately −50 ms before force onset) for C3 associated with both force generations was significantly greater (P < 0.01) than those for C4, indicating that contralateral predominance of MRCP was observed in the right arm flexion. In Fz, the potentials of negative slope (NS′) (from −600 to approximately −200 ms) and MPs for 50% MVC were significantly greater than those of 10% MVC. In Cz, the MP associated with 50% MVC revealed a significantly greater (P < 0.05) value than that with 10% MVC. In C3 and C4, the MP associated with 50% MVC tended to be greater than that with 10% MVC, but no statistically significant differences were found. These force-dependent changes in MRCPs imply increased activation of neural circuits involved in motor preparation and initiation. It is therefore suggested that the larger potentials from Fz and Cz for 50% MVC compared with 10% MVC reflect a greater activation of supplementary motor area for the preparation of the larger force generation.     

Combined effect of temperature and bleaching herbicides on photosynthesis,pigment and fatty acid composition of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Norflurazon (Nf) and fluridone (Fd) are phytoene desaturase inhibitor herbicides that are widely used for the control of grasses and invasive aquatic weeds, respectively. These herbicides enter aquatic environments where they can negatively affect non-target plant species (e.g. algae). Their toxicity towards algae may be modified by abiotic factors such as light intensity, temperature, pH and nutrients. Investigating the effect of low temperature on the toxicity of Nf and Fd is particularly important because both temperature and herbicides affect some of the same physiological process (e.g. carotenoid biosynthesis). Here we demonstrate that Nf reduced photosynthesis in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii more strongly at 15 than at 25ºC, while Fd showed stronger effects at 25 than at 15ºC. Neither herbicide significantly inhibited photosynthesis at 8ºC. Although the overall pigment content decreased with lower temperature, there was an increase in photo-protective carotenoids relative to chlorophylls at both 15 and 8ºC in the absence of herbicides. Moreover, most of the measured pigments decreased markedly in the presence of Nf and Fd at 15 and 25ºC, including β-carotene which fell to below detection limits. The fatty acid composition was modified by temperature and the level of unsaturation noticeably increased at 15 compared with 25ºC. At 8ºC, however, despite a 2.4 times decrease in fatty acid content, the unsaturation level was similar to 25ºC acclimated cells. Monounsaturated fatty acids increased concomitant with a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acid in the 2.5 µM Nf treatment at 25ºC. Differences in the effect of Nf and Fd on photosynthesis at 15 and 25ºC can be attributed to the marked decrease in carotenoids, which play an important role in photoprotection. At 8ºC, the apparent lack of inhibitory effects compared with control cultures could be due to enhanced photoprotection and/or decreased uptake of herbicides by the alga.     

Comparative biochemical studies of carotenoids in catfishes

The carotenoids of 12 species of Siluriformes fishes (eight families) were investigated from a comparative biochemical point of view. The patterns of carotenoids in catfishes belonging to the family Siluridae were quite different from those of the other seven families of catfishes (Bagridae, Amblycipitidae, Clariidae, Plotosidae, Ictaluridae, Callichthyidae and Malapteruridae). 7, 8-Dihydro-beta-carotene; 7, 8, 7', 8'- and 7, 8, 9, 10-tetrahydro-beta-carotene; (3R)-7', 8'-dihydro-beta-cryptoxanthin; 7, 8-dihydrolutein A; 7, 8-dihydrolutein B; parasiloxanthin; 7', 8'-dihydroparasiloxanthin; and 4 or 4'-hydroxyparasiloxanthin were characteristic carotenoids found in only one family, Siluridae, and these carotenoids accounted for 24-60% of total carotenoids. In catfishes belonging to the other seven families except Siluridae, the carotenoid patterns were very similar and the most predominant carotenoid was zeaxanthins (23-56%).     

抗阻训练对增龄大鼠骨骼肌线粒体功能的影响*

目的: 从线粒体动力学的角度,探讨抗阻运动对增龄大鼠骨骼肌线粒体功能的影响。方法: 40只雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组:2月龄安静对照组(C1组)、2月龄抗阻运动训练组(R1组)、6月龄安静对照组(C2组)、6月龄抗阻运动训练组(R2组),每组10只。C1、C2组正常喂养,R1、R2组大鼠进行跑台坡度为35°,速度为15 m/min的抗阻运动,一次跑动15 s,间歇30 s,4次为一组,组间间歇3 min,3组为一次循环,一天为2个循环,循环间歇10 min,每周6 d,共8周。采用Western blot法测定各组大鼠股四头肌线粒体融合蛋白2(Mfn2)、GTP酶1(DRP1) 蛋白含量,使用流式细胞仪测定各组大鼠股四头肌线粒体膜电位(ΔΨm)、活性氧(ROS)和游离钙(Ca²⁺)水平。结果: ① 与C1组相比,R1组大鼠DRP1蛋白升高(P＜0.01)、Mfn2蛋白无显著变化,C2组大鼠DRP1、Mfn2蛋白均降低(P均＜0.01);与C2组相比,R2组大鼠DRP1、Mfn2蛋白均升高(P＜0.01,P＜0.05);与R1组相比,R2组DRP1、Mfn2蛋白均降低(P＜0.01,P＜0.05)。② 与C1组相比,R1组Ca²⁺含量降低(P＜0.01)、C2组Ca²⁺含量升高(P＜0.01);与C2组相比,R2组Ca²⁺含量降低(P＜0.01);与R1组相比,R2组Ca²⁺含量升高(P＜0.01)。③ 与C1组相比,R1组ROS含量有所上升,但无显著性差异,C2组ROS含量升高(P＜0.01);与C2组相比,R2组ROS含量降低(P＜0.01);与R1组相比,R2组ROS含量升高(P＜0.01)。④ 与C1组相比,C2组ΔΨm降低(P＜0.01);与C2组相比,R2组ΔΨm升高(P＜0.01);与R1组相比,R2组ΔΨm有所降低,但无统计学差异。结论: 大鼠增龄过程中股四头肌线粒体出现Ca²⁺堆积、活性氧增多、线粒体膜电位下降、融合蛋白减少等现象,抗阻训练可有效改善这些变化。     

Hypothermic storage of sheep embryos with antifreeze proteins: development in vitro and in vivo

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) non-colligatively lower the freezing point of aqueous solutions, block membrane ion channels and thereby confer a degree of protection during cooling. Ovine embryos following prolonged hypothermic storage were used to determine 1) the type and concentration of a group of AFPs that can confer hypothermic tolerance, 2) the storage temperature, 3) the cooling rate, and 4) the in vitro and in vivo viability. In Experiment 1, Grade 1 and 2 embryos produced following superovulation were either cultured fresh (control) or stored at 4 degrees C for 4 d in media containing protein from 1 of 3 sources: Winter Flounder (WF; AFP Type 1); Ocean Pout (OP; AFP Type 3) at a concentration of 1 or 10 mg/ml; or bovine serum albumen (BSA) at 4 mg/ml in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Following 72 h of culture, the viability rates were not different between controls (18 21 ); BSA (9 15 ); WF at 1 mg/ml (14 15 ); WF at 10 mg/ml (13 15 ) or OP at I mg/n-d (15 21 ), but were decreased (P < 0.05) in embryos stored in OP at 1 0 mg/ml (I 1 20 ). Pooled data showed higher (P < 0.05) viability rates for WF (27 30 ) than for OP (26 41 ) or BSA (9 15 ). There was no effect of protein source on hatching rates, but mean hatched diameters of embryos were lower (P < 0.05) following storage in BSA. In Experiment 2, Grade I to 3 embryos were either cultured fresh or stored for 4 d at 0 degrees or 4 degrees C in 4 mg/n-d BSA or 1 mg/ml WF. Embryos stored in WF at 4 degrees C (WF/4 degrees C) had comparable hatching rates (8 12 ) to that of controls (10 10 ), but embryos in the other treatments (WF 0 degrees C, 5 11 , BSA 4 degrees C, 6 11 and BSA 0 degrees C, 3 10 ) had significantly lower hatching rates (P < 0.01) compared with controls. Hatched diameters were comparable between controls and embryos stored in WF 4 degrees C, but embryos stored in WF 0 degrees C and BSA at both temperatures had smaller diameters (P < 0.05). In Experiment 3, Grade 1 to 3 embryos were either transferred fresh or were stored for 4 d at 4 degrees C in 4 mg/ml BSA or 1 mg/ml WF at different cooling rates (T1, BSA > 2 degrees C/min; T2, WF > 2 degrees C/min and T3, WF < 1 degrees C/min) prior to transfer. There were no differences in the number of ewes pregnant (T1, 10 1 1; T2, 6 10 and T3, 8 10 ) or in the number of viable fetuses recovered per treatment (T1, 14 25 ; T2, 10 1 4 and T3, 15 2 1) to indicate a negative effect of cooling rate or protein on embryo survival. In conclusion, ovine embryos can be stored in WF or BSA at 4 degrees C for 4 d, yielding similar pregnancy and embryo survival rates as fresh embryos following transfer to recipient ewes.     

Dynamics of alpha-fetoprotein concentration in mice of different genotypes during the neonatal period]

A comparative assay of the alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP) level in mice of various genotypes (CBA, C3H, C57BL/Se/Sn, BALB/c, CC57W, AKR and nude--nu/nu) was conducted in the course of 3 weeks of postnatal period. The concentration of alpha-FP reached the following levels: the first day 2(-10)-2(-9); the 5th day 2(-8); the 8th day 2(-7); the 15th day 2(-4); on the 22nd day the level was zero. Nude mice which showed the alpha-FP concentration of 2(-2) on the 15th day were an exception. A conclusion was drawn that the alpha-FP synthesis was based not on the athymia of nude mice per se, but upon other unknown factors.     

Effects of methyl-eugenol administration on behavioral models related to depression and anxiety, in rats

Croton zehntneri (Cz) is a popular plant in Brazilian folk medicine. Recently, the use of its essential oil showed depressive activity response in the central nervous system (CNS). Chemical studies show that the main compound of this oil is the methyl-eugenol (ME). This work seeks to evaluate the ME activity in behavioral models of depression and anxiety, in the rat. Male rats (60 days old) were divided into four groups (n = 10) and treated with doses of 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 ml/100 g body wt., v.o., of ME (experimental) and saline (control). One hour after treatment, they were observed in the forced swimming test and 15 min later in the open-field test. A decrease was observed in the immobility time during the forced swimming test for all experimental groups, in comparison with control group (C = 168.8 +/- 27.3; 1.0 microl = 139.1 +/- 23.5; 3.0 microl = 137.2 +/- 18.7 and 10.0 microl = 139.8 +/- 23.6). The open-field results showed no differences in comparison to the control group. The same was observed for social interaction, plus-maze and holeboard tests, suggesting no alterations in anxiety behavior. These data suggest that ME administration induced antidepressive CNS alterations, expressed by the smallest immobility in the swimming model, and not of a level able to alter motor and exploratory activity in the open-field. The absence of effects observed in the open-field can be a result of the experimental contingency, taking low anxiety levels. These data are in contradiction to observations with Cz essential oil in these models.     

Gas-phase molecular structures of substituted 1,3-bisketenes: A challenge for theory and experiment

Molecular structures of dimethylbis(trimethylsilylketyl)silane (Me₂Si[C(SiMe₃)CO]₂), dimethylbis(trimethylgermylketyl)silane (Me₂Si[C(GeMe₃)CO]₂), and dimethylbis(trimethylstannylketyl)germane (Me₂Ge[C(SnMe₃)CO]₂) have been studied in the gas phase by electron diffraction accompanied by high level ab initio and DFT calculations. Extensive theoretical conformational analyses of the molecules in the vapour predicted a possibility of existence of two types of conformers with small energy differences. The first type had gauche-gauche arrangements of the ketenyl groups in the central C(CO)XC(CO) fragments directed away from each other. The second type had nearly syn-gauche arrangements of the ketenyl groups. In addition, the energy differences were found to depend on the level of computations used. The experimental analysis, in turn, was unable to distinguish between different conformers due to the large number of similar overlapping distances. The experimental data were fitted by an averaged single-conformer model, which nevertheless allowed reliable determination of bonds and bonded angles in the molecules. Main experimental (r_h1) structural parameters for Me₂Si[C(SiMe₃)CO]₂, Me₂Si[C(GeMe₃)CO]₂, and Me₂Ge[C(SnMe₃)CO]₂, i.e. Me₂X[C(YMe₃)CO]₂ (X,Y = Si, Ge, Sn), are (X-C)_mean 187.7(1) pm, 194.6(2) pm, 216.1(3) pm; (Y-C)_mean, 187.7(1) pm, 188.8(8) pm, 194.6(4) pm; (CC)_mean, 135.3(5) pm, 131.6(5) pm, 131.5(13) pm; (CO)_mean, 117.0(7) pm, 117.4(7) pm, 119.0(11) pm; (C-H)_mean, 110.6(7) pm, 110.0(4) pm, 109.1(13) pm; (X(Y)-CC)_mean, 114.4(2)°, 115.6(1)°, 115.6(2)°; (C-X(Y)-C_Me)_mean, 108.3(3)°, 108.4(3)°, 108.9(13)°; C(2)-C(1)-Y(4)-C(10), −19(6)°, 5(4)°, −9(10)°; C(7)-C(6)-Y(9)-C(38),−22(7)°, −32(3)°, −9(10)°; C(2)-C(1)-X(5)-C(6), 128(4)°, 142(1)°, 108(9)°; C(7)-C(6)-X(5)-C(1), 92(6)°, 115(2)°, 108(9)°, respectively.