Comparative detoxication. The detoxication of aromatic acids by invertebrates: detection of agmatine conjugates in scorpions

1. Benzoic acid and p-nitrobenzoic acid were converted in the scorpion Palamnaeus into N(1)-benzoylagmatine and N(1)-p-nitrobenzoylagmatine. 2. Some benzoyl- and p-nitrobenzoyl-arginine were also formed and these compounds were probable precursors of the agmatine derivatives. 3. p-Nitrobenzoyl- and p-aminobenzoyl-arginine were formed in millipedes dosed with the aromatic acids. 4. Woodlice excreted p-amino- and p-nitro-benzoic acid as their glycine conjugates and no conjugation could be found in the crab Gecarcinus and a freshwater crayfish Astacus.     

The detoxication of TETRISO by Bacillus cereus T.

TETRISO, 0,0-diisopropyl S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl phosphorothiolate, was detoxified by Bacillus cereus T., a gram positive spore forming microorganism. It was found that, after 5 days, a crude soluble fraction of Bacillus cereus T. eliminates up to 92% of acetylcholinesterase inhibition caused by TETRISO, in the concentration range 10^-3 to 10^-5M.     

Ligand binding and detoxication

In an organism the binding of a toxic chemical to a binding site can act as a detoxication mechanism when toxicity is a property of the unbound ligand. This qualitative statement has been evaluated in quantitative terms. To this end parameters have been defined for which numerical values are required, equations are derived and a procedure is outlined that allows assessment of when and to what extent binding is of value in detoxication. In the process two new quantities are introduced, i.e. the binding capacity and the binding activity, which make for easier handling and comparison of binding data. It is concluded that to be important in detoxication the numerical value of the binding activity must be greater than unity and the total ligand concentration should not exceed the binding capacity. These general conclusions can be further refined depending on the accuracy with which the values of the parameters involved are known. Due to its generality the results of the analysis are useful in all situations where it is desirable to know the magnitude of the free fraction of a bound chemical.     

Evaluation of the modulatory influence of food additive-garam masala on hepatic detoxication system.

Potential chemopreventive role of an Indian food additive-garam masala has been assessed through its impact on the hepatic levels of detoxication enzymes like glutathione S-transferase (GST), cytochrome b5 (cyt. b5) and cytochrome P-450 (cyt. P-450), and acid soluble sulfhydryl (-SH) content in 8-9 weeks old Swiss albino mice of either sex fed on the 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% (w/w) garam masala in the diet for 10 days. The data from this short term study revealed the significant but dose-independent alteration in the levels of detoxication system enzymes. The results suggest the possible chemopreventive potency of this widely used food additive by being a bifunctional inducer of detoxication system.