Preanalytical standardization for reactive oxygen species derived oxysterol analysis in human plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

The analysis of the oxysterols 7-keto-, 7-α/β-hydroxy-, 5α,6α-epoxy-, 5β,6β-epoxycholesterol and cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol derived from reactive oxygen species (ROS) is of interest as biomarkers in the field of atherosclerosis. Preanalytical validation is a crucial point to minimize the susceptibility of oxysterols to in vitro autoxidation. The aim of this study was to standardize a preanalytical protocol for ROS-derived oxysterol analysis by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in human plasma.     

7-Ketocholesterol and cholestane-triol increase expression of SMO and LXRα signaling pathways in a human breast cancer cell line

Oxysterols are 27-carbon oxidation products of cholesterol metabolism. Oxysterols possess several biological actions, including the promotion of cell death. Here, we examined the ability of 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC), cholestane-3β-5α-6β-triol (triol), and a mixture of 5α-cholestane-3β,6β-diol and 5α-cholestane-3β,6α-diol (diol) to promote cell death in a human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). We determined cell viability, after 24-h incubation with oxysterols. These oxysterols promoted apoptosis. At least part of the observed effects promoted by 7-KC and triol arose from an increase in the expression of the sonic hedgehog pathway mediator, smoothened. However, this increased expression was apparently independent of sonic hedgehog expression, which did not change. Moreover, these oxysterols led to increased expression of LXRα, which is involved in cellular cholesterol efflux, and the ATP-binding cassette transporters, ABCA1 and ABCG1. Diols did not affect these pathways. These results suggested that the sonic hedgehog and LXRα pathways might be involved in the apoptotic process promoted by 7-KC and triol.     

Determination of 7-ketocholesterol in plasma by LC-MS for rapid diagnosis of acid SMase-deficient Niemann-Pick disease

Acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase)-deficient Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) is caused by mutations in the sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1) gene, resulting in accumulation of sphingomyelin in the lysosomes and secondary changes in cholesterol metabolism. We hypothesized that the oxidation product of cholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC), might increase in the plasma of patients with ASMase-deficient NPD. In this study, a rapid and nonderivatized method of measurement of plasma 7-KC by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed. Plasma samples from healthy subjects, patients with ASMase-deficient NPD, nonaffected ASMase-deficient NPD heterozygotes, Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease, glycogen storage disorder type II (GSDII), Gaucher disease (GD), mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPSII), Krabbe disease (KD), and metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) were tested retrospectively. Markedly elevated 7-KC was found in patients with ASMase-deficient NPD and NPC disease that showed significant differences from ASMase-deficient NPD heterozygotes; patients with GSDII, GD, MPSII, KD, and MLD; and normal controls. The analysis of plasma 7-KC by LC-MS/MS offers the first simple, quantitative, and highly sensitive method for detection of ASMase-deficient NPD and could be useful in the diagnosis of both ASMase-deficient NPD and NPC disease.     

The identification and characterization of the c19o3 steroid metabolites of 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol produced by the canine prostate: 5α-androstane-3β, 6α, 17β-triol and 5α-androstane-3β, 7α, 17β-triol

This study has identified the polar metabolites of 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol(3β-diol) produced by the canine prostate. The major metabolite is 5α-androstane-3β, 7α, 17β-triol (7α-triol) accounting for approximately 80% of the total polar metabolites of 3β-diol. The remaining 20% is accounted for exclusively by another triol, 5α-androstane-3β, 6α, 17β-triol(6α-triol). This study has also characterized two enzymatic hydroxylases responsible for respective triol formation: 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol 6α-hydroxylase (6α-hydroxylase) and 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol 7α-hydroxylase (7α-hydroxylase). Both of these irreversible hydroxylases are located in the particulate fraction of the prostate and can utilize either NADH or NADPH as cofactor. Several $\text{in vitro}$ steroid inhibitors of these hydroxylases were identified including cholesterol, estradiol and diethylstilbestrol. Neither of the hydroxylases were found to be decreased by castration (3 months) when expressed as activity/DNA. Using a variety of C₁₉ androstane substrates, 6α- and 7α-triol were found to be major components of the total 3β-hydroxy-5α-androstane metabolites produced by the canine prostate.     

苋科植物的丛枝菌根

有些种子植物如莎草科、十字花科、灯心草科、藜科、石竹科等20余科,以往曾被认为不能或不易形成丛枝菌根(郭秀珍等,1989;刘润进等,2000).随着对菌根的深入研究,曾被认为是不易与菌根菌组合的湿地生植物、寄生性植物、或一年生植物都被发现是可以形成内生菌根的(Trappe等,1992).此外,Allen等(1989)研究证实,Salsola kali,Atriplex roseum等生长于沙漠、海滨的藜科植物,进行接种处理后,也能形成丛枝菌根.我们在西双版纳调查热带雨林植物的丛枝菌根状况时,偶然发现刺苋(Amaranthus spinosus Linn.)的根系受到了丛枝菌根真菌的侵染,因此,对苋科植物作了扩大采样调查.本文主要报道从热带采集的5属6种苋科植物的根受丛枝菌根真菌感染形成丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM)和这些植物根际士壤中的丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)的状况.     

竹黄菌与竹红菌的化学成分及细胞毒活性比较研究

为研究竹黄菌与竹红菌化学成分及细胞毒活性的差异,本研究通过高效液相色谱(HPLC)分析结合常规色谱方法,分离鉴定了两种真菌的6个相同成分,分别为3个主要成分竹红菌甲素(1)、竹红菌乙素(2)和竹红菌丙素(3),以及3,6,8-三羟基-1-甲基口山酮(7)、3,8-二羟基-6-甲氧基-1-甲基口山酮(8)和过氧麦角甾醇(9)。另外,从竹黄菌中还分离得到11,11′-二去氧沃替西林(5)、麦角甾-7,22E-二烯-3β,5α,6β-三醇(10)和麦角甾-7,22E-二烯-2β,3α,9α-三醇(11),并首次从竹红菌中分离得到竹红菌丁素(4)、灰黄霉素(6)、化合物7和8。活性筛选发现,化合物5对三株肿瘤细胞NCI-H1975、HepG2和MCF-7有很强细胞毒活性,化合物1有较强细胞毒活性,而化合物6活性较弱。     

Metabolism of 17α-methyl-5β-dihydrotestosterone in the rabbit

17α-Methy1-5β-androstane-3α, 17β-diol together with the hydroxylated metabolites 17α-methyl-5β-androstane-1β, 3α, 17β-triol, 17α-methyl-5β-androstane-3α, 12β, 17β-triol, 17α-methyl-5β-androstane-3α, 16α, 17β-triol and 17α-methyl-5β-androstane-3α, 16β, 17β-triol were isolated and identified in the urine of rabbits orally dosed with 17α-methyl-5β-dihydrotestosterone. Biotransformations differ from the 5α-series where hydroxylation occurred at C-6 and C-15. In both series, the C-3 equatorial epimer was the major urinary excretion product among the non-hydroxylated metabolites. The 5β-compound was more resistant to metabolic hydroxylation than the 5α-compound. No evidence for epimerization at the C-17 position was observed.     

Identification of CYP3A4 as the major enzyme responsible for 25-hydroxylation of 5β-cholestane-3α,7α,12α-triol in human liver microsomes

Human liver microsomes catalyze an efficient 25-hydroxylation of 5β-cholestane-3α,7α,12α-triol. The hydroxylation is involved in a minor, alternative pathway for side-chain degradation in the biosynthesis of cholic acid. The enzyme responsible for the microsomal 25-hydroxylation has been unidentified. In the present study, recombinant expressed human P-450 enzymes have been used to screen for 25-hydroxylase activity towards 5β-cholestane-3α,7α,12α-triol. High activity was found with CYP3A4, but also with CYP3A5 and to a minor extent with CYP2C19 and CYP2B6. Small amounts of 23- and 24-hydroxylated products were also formed by CYP3A4. The V_max for 25-hydroxylation by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 was 16 and 4.5 nmol/(nmol×min), respectively. The K_m was 6 μM for CYP3A4 and 32 μM for CYP3A5. Cytochrome b₅ increased the hydroxylase activities. Human liver microsomes from ten different donors, in which different P-450 marker activities had been determined, were incubated with 5β-cholestane-3α,7α,12α-triol. A strong correlation was observed between formation of 25-hydroxylated 5β-cholestane-3α,7α,12α-triol and CYP3A levels (r²=0.96). No correlation was observed with the levels of CYP2C19. Troleandomycin, a specific inhibitor of CYP3A4 and 3A5, inhibited the 25-hydroxylase activity of pooled human liver microsomes by more than 90% at 50 μM. Tranylcypromine, an inhibitor of CYP2C19, had very little effect on the conversion. From these results, it can be concluded that CYP3A4 is the predominant enzyme responsible for 25-hydroxylation of 5β-cholestane-3α,7α,12α-triol in human liver microsomes.     

高等真菌黑虎掌子实体的化学成分

黑虎掌 (Ｓａｒｃｏｄｏｎａｓｐｒａｔｕｍ (Ｂｅｒｋ .)Ｓ .Ｉｔｏ) ,又名香茸 ,是一种美味食用菌。近年来发现该属Ｓ .ｓｃａｂｒｏ ｓｕｓ (Ｆｒ.)Ｐ .Ｋａｒｓｔ.中含有对神经生长因子 (ＮＧＦ)的合成具有诱导作用的生物活性二萜 (Ｏｈｔ等 ,1998)。作为“高等真菌生物活性代谢产物研究”的一部分 ,我们对采自云南武定的样品进行了化学分析。从黑虎掌的新鲜子实体中分得 15个化合物。它们分别为ｃｅｒｅｂｒｏｓｉｄｅＢ (1) (12 0ｍｇ) ,阿洛酮糖腺苷(2 ) (12ｍｇ) ,三磷酸尿苷 (3) (7ｍｇ) ,尿嘧啶 (4 ) (12ｍｇ) ,腺嘌呤 (5 ) (8ｍ…     

Lycopene prevents 7-ketocholesterol-induced oxidative stress,cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human macrophages

The present study was undertaken to examine whether lycopene is able to counteract 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC)-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human macrophages. Human THP-1 macrophages were exposed to 7-KC (10–25 μM) alone and in combination with lycopene (0.5–2 μM), and we monitored changes in cell oxidative status [reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, NOX-4, hsp70 and hsp90 expressions, 8-OHdG formation] and in cell proliferation and apoptosis. After 24 h of treatment, lycopene significantly reduced the increase in ROS production and in 8-OHdG formation induced by the oxysterol in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the carotenoid strongly prevented the increase of NOX-4, hsp70 and hsp90 expressions as well as the phosphorylation of the redox-sensitive p38, JNK and ERK1/2 induced by the oxysterol. The attenuation of 7-KC-induced oxidative stress by lycopene coincided with a normalization of cell growth in human macrophages. Lycopene prevented the arrest in G0/G1 phase of cell cycle induced by the oxysterol and counteracted the increased expression of p53 and p21. Concomitantly, it inhibited 7-KC-induced apoptosis, by limiting caspase-3 activation and the modulatory effects of 7-KC on AKT, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bax. Comparing the effects of lycopene, β-carotene and (5Z)-lycopene on ROS production, cell growth and apoptosis show that lycopene and its isomer were more effective than β-carotene in counteracting the dangerous effects of 7-KC in human macrophages. Our study suggests that lycopene may act as a potential antiatherogenic agent by preventing 7-KC-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human macrophages.     

A practical radiochromatographic assay for cholesterol epoxide hydrase.

A method for the assay of cholesterol epoxide hydrase activity is described. The assay involves the thin-layer chromatographic separation and quantitation of radiolabeled cholestan-3β,5α,6α-epoxide and its major hydration product, cholestan-3β,5α,6β-triol. Radiochromatographic scanning is employed to quantitate the reaction. The procedure is sensitive, rapid, and nondestructive.     

云南产玉米须的化学成分研究

从玉米须60%乙醇提取液中分离得到了14个化合物,经波谱学方法分别鉴定为柯伊利素-7-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷(1)、柯伊利素-6-C-β-波伊文糖-7-O-β-葡萄糖苷(2)、柯伊利素-6-C-β-波伊文糖苷(3)、L-鼠李糖(4)、豆甾-4-烯-3β,6β-二醇(5)、7α-羟基谷甾醇(6)、7β-羟基谷甾醇(7)、胡萝卜苷棕榈酸酯(8)、大豆脑苷I(9)、7α-羟基谷甾醇-3-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷(10)、麦角甾-7,22-二烯-3β,5α,6β-三醇(11)、棕榈酸(12)、胡萝卜苷(13)和β-谷甾醇(14),其中化合物1、4和7～12为首次从玉米须中分离得到。     

omega-Hydroxylase for 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol in the biosynthesis of chenodeoxycholic acid.

The 5β-cholestane-3α,7α-diol 26-hydroxylase system, which is involved in the conversion of cholesterol to chenodeoxycholic acid, was studied in rat liver mitochondria. 26-Hydroxylase of 5β-cholestane-3α,7α-diol showed the following characteristics. (i) 5β-Cholestane-3α,7α-diol 26-hydroxylase requires electron donors similar to those required for 5β-cholestane-3α,7α,12α-triol 26-hydroxylase. (ii) Both enzyme activities are inhibited by similar inhibitors such as carbon monoxide and phenylisocyanide, but not by respiratory inhibitors such as rotenone, amytal, antimycin A, and cyanide. (iii) The presence of 5β-cholestane-3α,7α-12α-triol in the incubation mixture for 5β-cholestane-3α,7α-diol inhibits the latter activity in a competitive manner. (iv) The distribution patterns of both enzyme activities in submitochondrial fractions are similar. (v) The reconstituted enzyme system composed of partially purified cytochrome P-450 from rat liver mitochondrial inner membrane, NADPH-adrenodoxin reductase and adrenodoxin (both purified from bovine adrenocortical mitochondria), and NADPH showed 26-hydroxylation activity not only for 5β-cholestane-3α,7α-diol but also for 5β-cholestane-3α,7α,12α-triol; both activities were comparable.     

Metabolism of 17α-methyl-5α-dihydrotestosterone in the rabbit

17α-Methyl-5α-dihydrotestosterone and the reduced metabolites, 17α-methyl-5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol and -3β, 17β-diol together with two hydroxylated metabolites, 17α-methyl-5α-androstane-3β, 15α, 17β-triol and 17α-methyl-5α-androstane-3α, 6α, 17β-triol were isolated and identified in the urine of rabbits orally dosed with 17α-methyl-5α-dihydrotestosterone. Formation of the C-6 hydroxylated derivative demonstrates that the 4,6-enolization of a 4-en-3-one is not a necessary requirement for hydroxylation at C-6 of the androstane nucleus in the rabbit. No evidence was obtained for the presence of 17α-methyl/17β-hydroxyl epimerization.     

裂褶菌化学成分研究

经硅胶反复柱层析,从裂褶菌子实体的醇提物中首次分离得到8个化合物,利用波谱方法及理化性质鉴定为5,α8α-过氧麦角甾-6,22E-二烯-3β-醇(1)、麦角甾-7,22-二烯-3β醇(2)、(22E,24R)-麦角甾-7,22-二烯-3β,5α,6β-三醇(3)、烟酸(4)、苯甲酸(5)、D-阿拉伯糖醇(6)、甘露醇(7)、海藻糖(8)。     

Biotransformation of dehydroepiandrosterone with Macrophomina phaseolina and β-glucuronidase inhibitory activity of transformed products

The biotransformation of dehydroepiandrosterone (1) with Macrophomina phaseolina was investigated. A total of eight metabolites were obtained which were characterized as androstane-3,17-dione (2), androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (3), androst-4-ene-17β-ol-3-one (4), androst-4,6-diene-17β-ol-3-one (5), androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol (6), androst-4-ene-3β-ol-6,17-dione (7), androst-4-ene-3β,7β,17β-triol (8), and androst-5-ene-3β,7α,17β-triol (9). All the transformed products were screened for enzyme inhibition, among which four were found to inhibit the β-glucuronidase enzyme, while none inhibited the α-chymotrypsin enzyme.     

Bile acids. LXIV. Synthesis of 5α-cholestane-3α,7α,25-triol and esters of new 5α-bile acids

Interest in the structural requirements of a sterol or bile acid for maximal activity by an hepatic microsomal steroid 12α-hydroxylase prompted the preparation of 5α-cholestane-3α, 7α, 25-triol and 5α-analogs of 3α, 7α-dihydroxy-5β-cholane-24-carboxylic acid. Methyl 3α, 7α-dihydroxy-5β-cholane-24-carboxylate derived from methyl chenodeoxycholate via the Arndt-Eistert reaction was allomerized with Raney nickel in boiling p-cymene to provide a number of products of which methyl 3,7-dioxo-5β- and 5α-cholane-24-carboxylates, methyl 3-oxo-7α-hydroxy-5β-and 5α-cholane-24-carboxylates, were identified. Reduction with K-Selectride of methyl 3-oxo-7α-hydroxy-5β-cholane-24-carboxylate, provided a high yield of methyl 3α, 7α-dihydroxy-5α-cholane-24-carboxylate. Treatment of this ester with an excess of methyl magnesium iodide afforded 5α-cholestane-3α, 7α, 25-triol. The products were characterized by thin-layer and gas liquid chromatography, proton resonance, infrared and mass spectrometry.     

Novel taxa-4(20),12-diene and 2(3→20)abeotaxane from needles of Taxus canadensis

A novel 6/8/6-membered taxane with a rare C-12(13)-double bond and rare 2(3→20)abeotaxane were isolated from the needles of Taxus canadensis. Their structures were characterized as 7β,9α,10β-triacetoxytaxa-4(20),12-diene-2α,5α,11β-triol (1) and 2α,7β,10β-triacetoxy-5α-hydroxy-2(3→20)abeotaxa-4(20),11-diene-9,13-dione (2) on the basis of 1D and 2D spectroscopic data. 1 is the first example of a natural taxane without substitution at both C-13 and C-14.     

肋果茶中的萜类化学成分研究

从肋果茶(Sladenia celastrifolia)95％乙醇提取物的乙酸乙酯部位中分离得到15个萜类化合物,经波谱学方法分别鉴定为sladeniafolin A(1),grasshopper ketone (2),(3S,5R,6S,7E,9R) -7-megastigmene-3,6,9-triol (3),hedytriol (4),(3S,5R,6R,7E,9R) -3,5,6,9-tetrahydroxy-7-megastigmene(5),1′S*,4′R*-8-(4′-hydroxy-2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohex-2-enyl)-6-methyloct-3E,5E,7E-trien -2-one (6),2α,3α,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (7),2α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid(8),pomolic acid(9),3-O-acetyl pomolic acid(10),ursaldehyde (11),camarolide (12),3β-hydroxyurs-11-en-13β(28) -olide (13),3β-hydroxy -11α,12α-epoxy-urs-13β,28-olide (14)和28-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl euscaphic acid (15).以上化合物均首次从该植物中分离得到,其中1为新的C9裂环烯醚萜.     

海洋真菌Fusarium sp.次级代谢产物的研究

采用硅胶柱色谱、Sephadex LH-20凝胶柱色谱、开放ODS柱色谱以及HPLC等方法从海洋真菌Fusarium sp.的菌丝体中分离得到5个化合物,通过波谱数据及理化性质分别鉴定为3β,15β-二羟基-(22E,24R)-麦角甾-5,8(14),22-三烯-7-酮(1)、3β,5α,9α-三羟基-(22E,24R)-麦角甾-7,22-二烯-6-酮(2)、(22E,24R)-麦角甾-7,22-二烯-3β,5α,6β-三醇(3)、5α,8α-过氧-(22E,24R)-麦角甾-6,22-二烯-3β-醇(4)和丁二酸(5).其中化合物1和2首次从该属真菌中分离得到.