Molecular modeling analysis: “Why is 2-hydroxypyridine soluble in water but not 3-hydroxypyridine?”

Molecular mechanics and semiempirical calculations using HyperChem 5 were carried out to investigate whether the results obtained can explain why 2-hydroxypyridine is far more soluble in water than 3-hydroxypyridine. The results of molecular mechanics calculations show that in solution in water the total energy of 2-hydroxypyridine in the oxo form is less than that of 3-hydroxypyridine in the zwitterionic form by 2.14 kcal x mol(-1). The difference is much greater for the AM1 optimized H-bonded molecules. The greater amount of energy released in dissolution and H-bond formation by 2-hydroxypyridine than by 3-hydroxypyridine together with a higher crystal lattice energy for the latter provide an explanation as to why 3-hydroxypyridine is much less soluble in water than 2-hydroxypyridine. When the predicted electronic spectral lines of the compounds were compared with the observed lambda(max) values, it is found that generally the results obtained using AM1 agree more closely with the experimentally observed values.     

Dissociative state in rats induced by ethanol and possibilities of the pharmacological correction of this phenomenon

It was shown that a state of dependent learning (SDL) developed in response to ethanol (1.2 g/kg) during experimental learning of rats in conditions of T-maze. Piracetam, lithium hydroxybutyrate, litonit and new oxypyridine derivative 3-OP given in combination with ethanol prevented the development of SDL and reduced an already formed SDL. The above-mentioned combinations made the learning more difficult. It is assumed that changes in the activity of dopaminergic system, as well as membranotropic and antioxidant effects of the investigated drugs play the most important role in the mechanisms of SDL reduction.     

Microbial metabolism of the pyridine ring. Formation of pyridinediols (dihydroxypyridines) as intermediates in the degradation of pyridine compounds by micro-organisms

1. Several species of micro-organisms that were capable of utilizing pyridine compounds as carbon and energy source were isolated from soil and sewage. Compounds degraded included pyridine and the three isomeric hydroxypyridines. 2. Suitable modifications of the cultural conditions led to the accumulation of pyridinediols (dihydroxypyridines), which were isolated and characterized. 3. Three species of Achromobacter produced pyridine-2,5-diol from 2- or 3-hydroxypyridine whereas an uncommon Agrobacterium sp. (N.C.I.B. 10413) produced pyridine-3,4-diol from 4-hydroxypyridine. 4. On the basis of chemical isolation, induction of the necessary enzymes in washed suspensions and the substrate specificity exhibited by the isolated bacteria, the initial transformations proposed are: 2-hydroxypyridine --> pyridine-2,5-diol; 3-hydroxypyridine --> pyridine-2,5-diol and 4-hydroxypyridine --> pyridine-3,4-diol. 5. A selected pyridine-utilizer, Nocardia Z1, did not produce any detectable hydroxy derivative from pyridine, but carried out a slow oxidation of 3-hydroxypyridine to pyridine-2,3-diol and pyridine-3,4-diol. These diols were not further metabolized. 6. Addition of the isomeric hydroxypyridines to a model hydroxylating system resulted in the formation of those diols predicted by theory.     

Effect of a 3-hydroxypyridine-class antioxidant on an ethanol-induced learning disorder in mice and the accumulation of lipofuscin

Molecular processes of biological aging could interact with molecular effects of ethanol, potentiating each other and culminating in accelerated aging process. According to this premise effect of antioxidant of 3-hydroxypyridine class (3-HP) on behaviour of 3-month-old mice after chronic alcoholisation was investigated. 5-month alcoholisation induced impairment of the process of learning in mice and accelerated accumulation of lipofuscin (age pigment) in the brain. 3-HP consumption (20-25 mg/kg/day in drinking water) during alcoholisation contributed to preservation of learning ability in mice and decreased lipofuscin accumulation in the brain in comparison with alcohol-treated mice. Effect of 3-HP may be due to its antioxidant properties and its ability to increase animals resistance to the extreme factors.     

Pusillimonas sp. 5HP degrading 5-hydroxypicolinic acid

A bacterial strain 5HP capable of degrading and utilizing 5-hydroxypicolinic acid as the sole source of carbon and energy was isolated from soil. In addition, the isolate 5HP could also utilize 3-hydroxypyridine and 3-cyanopyridine as well as nicotinic, benzoic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids for growth in the basic salt media. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolate 5HP was shown to belong to the genus Pusillimonas. Both the bioconversion analysis using resting cells and the enzymatic assay showed that the degradation of 5-hydroxypicolinic acid, 3-hydroxypyridine and nicotinic acid was inducible and proceeded via formation of the same metabolite, 2,5-dihydroxypyridine. The activity of a novel enzyme, 5-hydroxypicolinate 2-monooxygenase, was detected in the cell-free extracts prepared from 5-hydroxypicolinate-grown cells. The enzyme was partially purified and was shown to catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of 5-hydroxypicolinate to 2,5-dihydroxypyridine. The activity of 5-hydroxypicolinate 2-monooxygenase was dependent on O₂, NADH and FAD.     

Antioxidants--stabilizers of the Ca2+ transport enzyme system in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes in vivo

It has been demonstrated that natural and synthetic antioxidants of different chemical structures (alpha-tocopherol, butylated hydroxytoluene, 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine) were capable of stabilizing enzymatic Ca2+ transport in sarcoplasmic membranes of the heart and skeletal muscles in vivo. Chronic administration of water-soluble antioxidant 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine to young and old rats resulted in the increased rate of Ca2+ transport into sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles of the heart and skeletal muscle homogenates. Keeping rats on vitamin E-rich diets supplemented with synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene led to stabilization of Ca2+-ATPase against thermal denaturation in sarcoplasmic reticular membranes.     

Imprinting as a mechanism of information memorizing in the adult BALB/c mice

Study of spatial learning in adult BALB/c mice revealed that a short exposition to the environment (from 3 to 8 minutes) could be enough for spatial information to be fixed in the long-term memory, and affected subsequent learning process in the new environment. Control group, learning in the same maze, followed the "shortest path" principle during formation of the optimal food-obtaining habit. Experimental animals, learning in a slightly changed environment, were unable to apply this rule due to persistent coupling of the new spatial information with the old memory traces which led to constant errors. The obtained effect was observed during the whole learning period and depended neither on frequency nor on interval of repetition during the initial information acquisition. The obtained data testify that memorizing in adult state share the properties with the imprinting process inherent in the early ontogeny. The memory fixation on all development stages seems to be based on a universal mechanism.     

3-hydroxypyridine chromophores are endogenous sensitizers of photooxidative stress in human skin cells

Photocarcinogenesis and photoaging are established consequences of chronic exposure of human skin to solar irradiation. Accumulating evidence supports a causative involvement of UVA irradiation in skin photo-damage. UVA photodamage has been attributed to photosensitization by endogenous skin chromophores leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species and organic free radicals as key mediators of cellular photooxidative stress. In this study, 3-hydroxypyridine derivatives contained in human skin have been identified as a novel class of potential endogenous photosensitizers. A structure-activity relationship study of skin cell photosensitization by endogenous pyridinium derivatives (pyridinoline, desmosine, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate) and various synthetic hydroxypyridine isomers identified 3-hydroxypyridine and N-alkyl-3-hydroxypyridinium cation as minimum phototoxic chromophores sufficient to effect skin cell sensitization toward UVB and UVA, respectively. Photosensitization of cultured human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT) and fibroblasts (CF3) by endogenous and synthetic 3-hydroxypyridine derivatives led to a dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation, cell cycle arrest in G2/M, and induction of apoptosis, all of which were reversible by thiol antioxidant intervention. Enhancement of UVA-induced intracellular peroxide formation and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent stress signaling suggest a photooxidative mechanism of skin cell photosensitization by 3-hydroxypyridine derivatives. 3-hydroxypyridine derivatives were potent photosensitizers of macromolecular damage, effecting protein (RNase A) photocross-linking and peptide (melittin) photooxidation with incorporation of molecular oxygen. Based on these results, we conclude that 3-hydroxypyridine derivatives comprising a wide range of skin biomolecules, such as enzymatic collagen cross-links, B6 vitamers, and probably advanced glycation end products in chronologically aged skin constitute a novel class of UVA photosensitizers, capable of skin photooxidative damage.     

Biodegradation of 2-methyl, 2-ethyl, and 2-hydroxypyridine by an Arthrobacter sp. isolated from subsurface sediment

A bacterium capable of degrading 2-methylpyridine was isolated by enrichment techniques from subsurface sediments collected from an aquifer located at an industrial site that had been contaminated with pyridine and pyridine derivatives. The isolate, identified as an Arthrobacter sp., was capable of utilizing 2-methylpyridine, 2-ethylpyridine, and 2-hydroxypyridine as primary C, N, and energy sources. The isolate was also able to utilize 2-, 3-, and 4-hydroxybenzoate, gentisic acid, protocatechuic acid and catechol, suggesting that it possesses a number of enzymatic pathways for the degradation of aromatic compounds. Degradation of 2-methylpyridine, 2-ethylpyridine, and 2-hydroxypyridine was accompanied by growth of the isolate and release of ammonium into the medium. Degradation of 2-methylpyridine was accompanied by overproduction of riboflavin. A soluble blue pigment was produced by the isolate during the degradation of 2-hydroxypyridine, and may be related to the diazadiphenoquinones reportedly produced by other Arthrobacter spp. when grown on 2-hydroxypyridine. When provided with 2-methylpyridine, 2-ethylpyridine, and 2-hydroxypyridine simultaneously, 2-hydroxypyridine was rapidly and preferentially degraded; however there was no apparent biodegradation of either 2-methylpyridine or 2-ethylpyridine until after a seven day lag. The data suggest that there are differences between the pathway for 2-hydroxypyridine degradation and the pathway(s) for 2-methylpyridine and 2-ethylpyridine.     

Antioxidative activity of lipids in mice during aging and administration of an antioxidant with gerontological protective action

Changes in the antioxidative activity (AOA) of the liver were studied during natural aging in noninbred and C3HA mice and during administration of the synthetic anti-oxidant 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine hydroxypyridine hydrochloride to the animals, and the effect of the doses of this compound on the level of AOA in the liver of animals aged 2 months also was investigated. Liver AOA in mice was found to decrease during aging; the decreae in animals with tumors was found to be two or three times slower than in animals without tumors. Administration of the compound after the age of 8 months led to a considerable increase in liver AOA, and this may evidently account for the considerable lengthening of the life of the experimental animals.     

Aminoacrylate intermediates in the reaction of Citrobacter freundii tyrosine phenol-lyase

Tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL) from Citrobacter freundii is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reversible hydrolytic cleavage of l-Tyr to give phenol and ammonium pyruvate. The proposed reaction mechanism for TPL involves formation of an external aldimine of the substrate, followed by deprotonation of the alpha-carbon to give a quinonoid intermediate. Elimination of phenol then has been proposed to give an alpha-aminoacrylate Schiff base, which releases iminopyruvate that ultimately undergoes hydrolysis to yield ammonium pyruvate. Previous stopped-flow kinetic experiments have provided direct spectroscopic evidence for the formation of the external aldimine and quinonoid intermediates in the reactions of substrates and inhibitors; however, the predicted alpha-aminoacrylate intermediate has not been previously observed. We have found that 4-hydroxypyridine, a non-nucleophilic analogue of phenol, selectively binds and stabilizes aminoacrylate intermediates in reactions of TPL with S-alkyl-l-cysteines, l-tyrosine, and 3-fluoro-l-tyrosine. In the presence of 4-hydroxypyridine, a new absorption band at 338 nm, assigned to the alpha-aminoacrylate, is observed with these substrates. Formation of the 338 nm peaks is concomitant with the decay of the quinonoid intermediates, with good isosbestic points at approximately 365 nm. The value of the rate constant for aminoacrylate formation is similar to k(cat), suggesting that leaving group elimination is at least partially rate limiting in TPL reactions. In the reaction of S-ethyl-l-cysteine in the presence of 4-hydroxypyridine, a subsequent slow reaction of the alpha-aminoacrylate is observed, which may be due to iminopyruvate formation. Both l-tyrosine and 3-fluoro-l-tyrosine exhibit kinetic isotope effects of approximately 2-3 on alpha-aminoacrylate formation when the alpha-(2)H-labeled substrates are used, consistent with the previously reported internal return of the alpha-proton to the phenol product. These results are the first direct spectroscopic observation of alpha-aminoacrylate intermediates in the reactions of TPL.     

Geropsychotropic properties of an antioxidant of the 3-hydroxypyridine class in an experiment

Comparative experimental investigation of albino male rats 3 and 16 months old has been performed. 16-month-old rats demonstrated age-dependent functional insufficiency in some behavioural tests. 2 month injection of 3-hydroxypyridine antioxidant (50 mg/kg/day) normalized memory function, motor skill learning and motor coordination function in 16-month-old rats.     

Inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from the rod outer segments of the frog retina by 3-hydroxypyridine

The influence of 8 analogues of 3-hydroxypyridine upon the phosphodiesterase of rod outer segments of frog retinae has been investigated. It has been shown that the analogues of 3-hydroxypyridine inhibit the enzeme reversely and noncompetitively in case of hydrolysis towards the cAMP and cGMP. The natural analogues of 3-hydroxypyridine (pyridoxol, pyridoxale, pyridoxale-phosphate) do not exert the inhibiting effect. It is suggested that the inhibition of phosphodiesterase from rod outer segments of retinae is caused by the interaction of 3-hydroxypyridines with the hydrophobic microenvironment of the active site of the enzyme.     

Fluorescence studies on some hydroxypyridines including compounds of the vitamin B6 group

1. The variations with pH (from 36n-sulphuric acid to 10n-sodium hydroxide) of the excitation and fluorescence wavelengths and fluorescence intensity of 2-, 3- and 4-hydroxypyridine and their O- and N-methyl derivatives were investigated. 2. 4-Hydroxy- and 4-methoxy-pyridine were non-fluorescent at all pH values. 3. The cations and dipolar ions of the 3-hydroxypyridine derivatives and the anion of 3-hydroxypyridine were fluorescent, but the neutral forms were not. 4. All the forms of the 2-hydroxypyridine derivatives were fluorescent. 5. Pyridoxol, pyridoxal and its 5-phosphate, pyridoxamine and pyridoxic acid and its lactone were studied similarly. All these compounds, except pyridoxal 5-phosphate, were more fluorescent than 3-hydroxypyridine. 6. The most fluorescent forms of these compounds are the anions, except for pyridoxol, where the dipolar ion was the most fluorescent form. The least fluorescent forms are the neutral molecules. The dipolar ions were appreciably fluorescent in all cases. 7. The most fluorescent form examined was the dianion of pyridoxic acid lactone. 8. The cations were all fluorescent except the cations of 2- and 3-methoxypyridine. All the cations showed excited-state ionization. The excited pK(a) values of these cations were determined and the results are discussed with reference to Weller's (1952) equation relating ground- and excited-state dissociation constants. 9. The pK(a) values for all ionizations undergone by the compounds examined were determined from fluorescence data. 10. Stokes shifts for the various ionic and neutral species of the compounds examined were calculated and are discussed.     

Characterization of the Starvation-Survival Response of Staphylococcus aureus

The starvation-survival response of Staphylococcus aureus as a result of glucose, amino acid, phosphate, or multiple-nutrient limitation was investigated. Glucose and multiple-nutrient limitation resulted in the loss of viability of about 99 to 99.9% of the population within 2 days. The remaining surviving cells developed increased survival potential, remaining viable for months. Amino acid or phosphate limitation did not lead to the development of a stable starvation-survival state, and cells became nonculturable within 7 days. For multiple-nutrient limitation, the development of the starvation-survival state was cell density dependent. Starvation survival was associated with a decrease in cell size and increase in resistance to acid shock and oxidative stress. There was no evidence for the formation of a viable but nonculturable state during starvation as demonstrated by flow cytometry. Long-term survival of cells was dependent on cell wall and protein biosynthesis. Analysis of [³⁵S]methionine incorporation and labelled proteins demonstrated that differential protein synthesis occurred deep into starvation.     

Dependence of long-lasting effects of the ACTH(4-10) analogue semax on the time of its neonatal administration

Long-lasting behavioural effects of chronic administration of synthetic ACT(4-10) analogue Semax (MEHFPGP) during early neonatal life were studied. The peptide was injected daily intraperitoneally in dose 0.05 mg/kg during the first, second or second-third weeks of postnatal development. It was shown that the peptide injections during the first week lead to a decrease and during second or second-third weeks--to an increase of exploratory activity in 4-8-week aged rats. Furthermore, the peptide adminictration at all times diminished anxiety and improved learning ability of adult rats. The data obtained show that Semax neonatal administration during the first three weeks of life modulates development of brain structures involved in regulation of exploration, anxiety and learning.     

Microbial metabolism of the pyridine ring. The metabolism of pyridine-3,4-diol (3,4-dihydroxypyridine) by Agrobacterium sp

1. The first metabolic step in the biodegradation of 4-hydroxypyridine by an Agrobacterium sp. was hydroxylation to form pyridine-3,4-diol. 2. Extracts required 1mol of O(2) and 1mol of NADH or NADPH for the conversion of 4-hydroxypyridine into pyridine-3,4-diol, suggesting that the enzyme responsible, 4-hydroxypyridine-3-hydroxylase, was a mixed function mono-oxygenase. 3. After treatment with acidic (NH(4))(2)SO(4) the enzyme required FAD for activity; FMN and riboflavin would not substitute for FAD. 4. The rate of anaerobic reduction of FAD by NAD(P)H was increased more than tenfold in the presence of 4-hydroxypyridine, suggesting that the mechanism of hydroxylation was similar to that of other aromatic hydroxylases which are of the mono-oxygenase type. 5. The partially purified enzyme was extremely specific for its heterocyclic substrate but would utilize either NADH or NADPH. 6. 4-Hydroxypyridine-3-hydroxylase was strongly inhibited by high substrate concentration (above 0.5mm) especially below pH7.5. 8. The inflexion at pH8.4 in a pK(m) versus pH plot, together with strong inhibition by p-chloromercuribenzoate, suggested a role for thiol groups in substrate binding.     

Effect of 3-hydroxypyridine derivatives on the central nervous system

Experiments on mice and rats were made to study the effect of inhibitors-antioxidants (3-hydroxypyridine derivatives) on the central nervous system. It was established that 3-hydroxypyridine derivatives (50 to 200 mg/kg) possess a broad spectrum of psychotropic effects. They cause normalization of behavior in conflict situations, exert an antiaggressive and anticonvulsant action (antagonism with corazol), are capable of potentiating the hypnotic effect of barbiturates, and of suppressing the animals' motor activity if given in high doses. Most compounds under study have antihypoxic and antiamnestic effects.     

The formation of a blue pigment in the bacterial oxidation of isonicotinic acid

Summary A pseudomonad was isolated from soil which can utilize isonicotinic acid as its sole carbon source. Growth on this substrate leads to the accumulation of a compound with absorption maxima at 240 and 345 m which was isolated and identified as citrazinic acid. Subsequent to citrazinic acid formation a soluble blue pigment is produced. This pigment was crystallized and shown to be identical to one formed by the chemical oxidation of citrazinic acid. The pigment, although similar in properties, is distinct from those arising during the metabolism of 2-hydroxypyridine, nicotinic acid and nicotine by other bacteria. The possible structure of the pigment is discussed and a pathway of its formation from isonicotinic acid is suggested.     

Anti-arrhythmia action of the antioxidant SD-6 in the development of ischemic and reperfusion rhythm disorders of the isolated rat heart

An antiarrhythmic action of water-soluble antioxidant SD-6 from 3-hydroxypyridine class and its effect on the transmembrane potentials were studied using the isolated rat heart and papillary muscle. Ischemia was induced by the occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. 10 minutes later the ligation was removed and reperfusion was achieved. In the control, ischemia induced premature ventricular complexes, tachycardia and, in some cases, fibrillation. During perfusion total fibrillation occurred in 100% of the experiments. SD-6 in the doses of 10(-6) g/ml and 5 X 10(-6) g/ml significantly reduced the incidence of fibrillation and tachycardia. In the experiments on the papillary muscle SD-6 during reperfusion completely normalized the action potential duration and removed depolarization developed in hypoxia, which suggests the ability of the antioxidant to block reperfusion-induced arrhythmias by normalization of the parameters of electrical heterogeneity. These data show that the origin of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias is connected with the activation of free radical metabolites and that their scavengers--synthetic antioxidants from 3-hydroxypyridine class--can be used as new antiarrhythmic agents.