Differential binding of (+) and (-) gossypol to plasma protein and their entry into rat testis.

Concentrations of (+) and (-) gossypol were measured by high performance liquid chromatography after they were incubated with plasma proteins in vitro. The concentration of (-) gossypol decreased more than the concentration of (+) gossypol. A similar decrease in free gossypol concentrations in the blood plasma of rats was observed after intravenous infusion of gossypol enantiomers. The concentration of (-) gossypol was also found to be lower than the concentration of (+) gossypol at the blood-testis barrier. The biological effect of (-) gossypol probably results from its stereospecific binding to extra- and intracellular proteins in vivo and inhibition of the biological activity of some proteins.     

Interaction of gossypol with amino acids and peptides as a model of enzyme inhibition

In order to clarify the interaction of gossypol with proteins, the pure diastereoisomeric Schiff bases from L-tryptophan methyl ester and both gossypol enantiomers were prepared. Their c.d. and n.m.r. spectra demonstrate that the interaction between gossypol and tryptophan, previously reported to involve a weakly associated complex, consists in Schiff base formation. Recent studies on enzyme inhibition by gossypol are discussed; it is suggested that nonspecific covalent binding of gossypol to proteins may be responsible for a significant proportion of the in vitro effects of gossypol.     

Inhibitory effect of gossypol on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced progesterone secretion in cultured bovine luteal cells

Inhibitory effects of gossypol on the female reproductive system have been recently reported. This study investigated a possible site of gossypol action on progesterone synthesis. Bovine luteal cells were cultured with hCG and forskolin in the presence or absence of gossypol. At 10 micrograms/ml, gossypol significantly inhibited hCG- and forskolin-stimulated progesterone secretion and intracellular cAMP formation; at 20 micrograms/ml, gossypol completely abolished the stimulative effect of hCG and forskolin. The results suggest that adenylate cyclase may be a site of gossypol action on steroidogenesis of bovine luteal cells.     

棉酚对鼠类生精细胞LDH-X活性的影响

本文测定了连续饲喂棉酚达6周的大鼠和小鼠的生精细胞的LDH-X活性。结果表明,棉酚能够明显地抑制大鼠成熟精子的LDH-X活性;而对睾丸LDH-X活性的抑制,与对照相比,无显著性差异。在小鼠中,未发现棉酚对成熟精子及睾丸生精细胞中的LDH-X活性产生具统计学意义的抑制作用。本文结合精子发生过程及LDH-X的特殊功能,对棉酚抗生育作用的可能机理进行了讨论。     

Enzyme inactivation and inhibition by Gossypol

Summary Three lactate dehydrogenase isozymes and malate dehydrogenase purified from mouse tissues were inactivated with time by low concentration of gossypol. The degree of enzyme inactivation is both gossypoland enzyme-concentration-dependent. Under the same experimental conditions, lactate dehydrogenase-X and lactate dehydrogenase-5 were inactivated faster than lactate dehydrogenase-1. NADH was shown to partially protect the enzymes against inactivation by gossypol. The results of this study suggest that the enzymes are inactivated by the minor components in gossypol preparations. Isozymes of glutathione S-transferases were reversibly inhibited by gossypol. The inhibition of transferases by gossypol was shown to be competitive with respect to the 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. It is proposed that the male antifertility effect of gossypol may be related to the selective inactivation of sperm-specific lactate dehydrogenase-X.     

Gossypol isomers bind specifically to blood plasma proteins and spermatozoa of rainbow trout fed diets containing cottonseed meal

We investigated the role of gossypol isomers binding to blood plasma, seminal plasma and spermatozoa to elucidate gossypol anti-fertility action in the teleost fish, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Growth and hematological indicators of males were depressed when fish meal protein in diets was completely replaced with cottonseed meal. The cottonseed meal contained equal proportions of (-) (47.8+/-1.6%) and (+) gossypol isomers. Concentrations of spermatozoa were decreased with increasing proportions of gossypol in diets (from 0.22% to 0.95%); however, sperm motility and fertilizing ability were not affected. In contrast to mammals, steroid hormone concentrations were not suppressed in fish given diets with gradual increase of gossypol level. Gossypol concentrations were 100-fold higher in blood plasma than in seminal plasma, confirming a barrier in gossypol transfer between the general circulation and the testis. Spermatozoa accumulated predominantly (+) enantiomer (65-75%) with decreasing proportions as dietary gossypol concentrations increased. Spermatozoa bound most of the gossypol contained in the semen; however, this did not result in impairment of the sperm motility apparatus. Teleost fish sperm rely on ATP stores that accumulate during maturation as a source of energy during activation. In addition, the duration of sperm movement is short in these fish. As such, we hypothesize that the major action of gossypol on mammalian sperm, which is uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, does not impair the energy supply required for flagellar beating in fish spermatozoa.     

Synthesis,structures, and acute toxicity of gossypol nonsymmetrical aldehyde derivatives

Nonsymmetrical aldehyde derivatives of gossypol, a yellow polyphenolic pigment of cottonseed, were synthesized by reactions with ammonia, aniline, 4-aminoantipyrine, and barbituric acid. Their structures were determined by UV spectrophotometry and IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy methods. Their acute toxicities in white mice were compared with those of gossypol and the corresponding symmetrical analogues. It was demonstrated that in general, the fewer free aldehyde groups available in the gossypol derivative, the lower its acute toxicity. Only in the case of a nonsymmetrical gossypol derivative bearing a 4-aminoantipyrine residue did we observe a deviation from the above correlation: its symmetrical counterpart was even more toxic, but still less toxic than gossypol.     

Antifertility effect of gossypol in male Japanese quail

Conventionally housed 130-160 g adult male Japanese quail were given gossypol acetic acid (gossypol) im at 25 mg/kg in 0.5 ml of 10% EtOH for 12 and 24 days (Groups 1 and 2), respectively. One day after treatment was terminated they were allowed to mate with laying females individually for 20 days. Fertility was 0% from mating of the Group 1 birds on days 1-2 and increased to 25, 35, 55 and 65% on days 3-6 after cessation of gossypol treatment. At day 11, fertility was 80 vs 84% in controls, whereas hatchability was 70% for both. By comparison, eggs from Group 2 mated quail were infertile for up to 20 days after the termination of gossypol treatment. In a parallel experiment, the percent testes to body weight ratio in control and 7, 14, 21, and 28-day gossypol-treated quail was 2.5, 2.2, 1.8, 0.5, and 0.2%, respectively. In 12 vs 24-day treated birds, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after gossypol treatment, the ratios were 1.0 vs 0.5%, 2.0 vs 0.8% and 2.8 vs 1.9%, respectively. The decreased fertility and hatachability, and testicular atrophy resulting from gossypol given to male quail was dose-time related. Furthermore, the androgen-dependent cloacal gland was drastically reduced in size by the treatment with gossypol. The mode of action of gossypol in male quail is different than it is in mammals in that the testicular size of mammals remains unchanged with long-term gossypol treatment. It is concluded that quail may be a useful avian animal model for investigating the antifertility effects of gossypol.     

不同饲喂下棉铃虫肠道内生菌的分离鉴定及脱毒效果研究

[目的]本研究对比饲喂正常饲料和棉粕饲料下棉铃虫(Helicoverpa armigera)肠道中可培养微生物的异同,并对筛选菌株进行棉酚耐受及降解作用的研究,为棉铃虫肠道微生物在棉源饲料中的脱毒作用提供理论和实验支持.[方法]通过饲喂不同饲料、醋酸棉酚单一碳源微生物选择性培养,分离饲喂正常饲料和棉粕饲料下棉铃虫肠道可...     

高效降解棉酚菌株的分离鉴定及诱变选育

作为一种蛋白资源, 棉籽粕因其含有毒素——游离棉酚限制了其在饲料工业中的应用。为获得能高效降解棉籽粕中棉酚的菌株, 以醋酸棉酚为唯一碳源培养基从16份样品中筛选出一株高效降解棉酚菌株(Y-2), 经生理生化及18S rDNA鉴定为Pichia guilliermondii, 此菌种为非致病酵母, 且首次报道用于棉酚的降解, 在工业生产中具有潜在的应用前景。通过紫外诱变获得一株棉酚降解率更高的突变株YUV-51。通过对突变株YUV-51发酵温度、时间及接种量的初步优化, 获得其固态发酵优化条件: 30 °C培养48 h, 接种量0.025 g湿菌体/g棉籽粕, 初始水分含量50%。为避免游离棉酚在前处理中大量降解棉籽粕, 不进行湿热处理, 经接种发酵后脱毒率可达到58%。这使微生物脱毒在实际生产中应用成为可能。     

Metabolism of round spermatids: gossypol induces uncoupling of respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation

The effect of gossypol on energy metabolism of round spermatids of rats was examined. When spermatids were treated with various concentrations of gossypol for 30 min at 32 degrees C, a biphasic response (stimulation at low concentrations and inhibition at high concentrations) was seen in pyruvate and CO2 production from lactate. At the early period of incubation, gossypol at even high concentrations stimulated CO2 production to an extent similar to that stimulated by 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). At longer periods of incubation, however, the rates of CO2 production from lactate dropped to those seen in the rotenone-treated cells. The rates of oxygen consumption were not increased further by DNP when cells were pretreated with gossypol. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in spermatids was reduced markedly, although lactate oxidation to CO2 and mitochondrial respiration were stimulated by gossypol. These results suggest that gossypol probably exerts its effect on spermatids by uncoupling respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.     

Molecular approach of gossypol-induced reproductive toxicity in male rabbits. Changes in seminal plasma amino acids and fatty acids

This study was done to evaluate the effects of two sublethal doses of gossypol (4 and 20 mg/kg of BW, every other day) on some amino and fatty acid concentrations in male rabbit seminal plasma. Rabbits were chosen as an experimental animal owing to the fact that they are excellent model for reproductive toxicological effects. The experiment lasted 16 weeks and included two periods: a treatment period (first 8 weeks) where the animals were given the tested product, and a recovery period (second 8 weeks) where all drugs were withdrawn. Results showed that total amino acids (TAA), total essential amino acids (EAA), total non-essential amino acids (non-EAA) and EAA/non-EAA ratio were decreased in a dose-dependent manner during gossypol treatment. The deleterious effect on TAA concentrations was mainly due to the reduction in total EAA. However, these concentrations regained their normal values after gossypol cessation. Basic, acidic, neutral amino acids and basic/acidic amino acids ratio decreased in a dose-dependent manner by gossypol treatment. Additionally, gossypol administration caused decreases in total unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) and increases in total saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the SFA/USFA ratio in a dose-dependent manner. During the recovery period, total SFA and USFA showed significant reduction and significant increase, respectively, after gossypol withdrawal. In conclusion, gossypol administration affected rabbit seminal plasma concentrations of amino and fatty acids in a dose-dependant manner. Gossypol reduced TAA, total EAA and total non-EAA. Additionally, gossypol caused decreases in total USFA and increases in total SFA. These deleterious effects were associated with poor-quality semen observed in our previous studies.     

Gossypol toxicity and detoxification in Helicoverpa armigera and Heliothis virescens

Gossypol is a polyphenolic secondary metabolite produced by cotton plants, which is toxic to many organisms. Gossypol's aldehyde groups are especially reactive, forming Schiff bases with amino acids of proteins and cross-linking them, inhibiting enzyme activities and contributing to toxicity. Very little is known about gossypol's mode of action and its detoxification in cotton-feeding insects that can tolerate certain concentrations of this compound. Here, we tested the toxicity of gossypol and a gossypol derivative lacking free aldehyde groups (SB-gossypol) toward Helicoverpa armigera and Heliothis virescens, two important pests on cotton plants. Larval feeding studies with these two species on artificial diet supplemented with gossypol or SB-gossypol revealed no detectable toxicity of gossypol, when the aldehyde groups were absent. A cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP6AE14, is upregulated in H. armigera feeding on gossypol, and has been claimed to directly detoxify gossypol. However, using in vitro assays with heterologously expressed CYP6AE14, no metabolites of gossypol were detected, and further studies suggest that gossypol is not a direct substrate of CYP6AE14. Furthermore, larvae feeding on many other plant toxins also upregulate CYP6AE14. Our data demonstrate that the aldehyde groups are critical for the toxicity of gossypol when ingested by H. armigera and H. virescens larvae, and suggest that CYP6AE14 is not directly involved in gossypol metabolism, but may play a role in the general stress response of H. armigera larvae toward plant toxins.     

Acute hypokalemic effect of gossypol

Clinical trials had demonstrated that chronic ingestion of gossypol induced infertility in males. Hypokalemia of various severities were reported in volunteers taking gossypol. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of acute gossypol infusion into alkalotic rats. Plasma potassium concentration decreased from 4.08 to 2.87 mM after gossypol infusion with minimal change in urinary potassium excretion. The hypokalemic effect of gossypol was also observed in nephretomized rats. Some of the factors that are known to affect potassium distribution between the extracellular and intracellular fluid compartment have been investigated in these rats. Plasma glucose concentration was not significantly altered. Gossypol induced hypokalemia was not blocked in rats treated with propranolol. It is therefore believed that the acute hypokalemic effect of gossypol is a direct shifting of potassium into cells.     

Inhibition of rabbit sperm acrosomal enzymes by gossypol

The effect of gossypol on the activities of 10 acrosomal enzymes of the rabbit sperm was evaluated. Acrosin, Azocoll proteinase, neuraminidase, and arylsulfatase were significantly inhibited or completely inactivated by 12–76 μM gossypol. Hyaluronidase, β-glucuronidase, and acid phosphatase were inhibited only at a higher concentration of gossypol (380 μM). Phospholipase C, alkaline phosphatase, and β-N-Acetyl glucosaminidase were not inhibited even at 380 μM gossypol. Gossypol was found to be a noncompetitive inhibitor of arylsulfatase with a Ki of 120 μM. The inhibition was reversible and dose-dependent. As the acrosomal enzymes were more sensitive to the inhibition by gossypol compared to sperm enzymes involved in glycolysis or energy production, these assays may serve as a more reliable indicator for monitoring the occurence of gossypol-induced sterility. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Binding of 3H-gossypol in organelles of cultured bovine luteal cells.

Gossypol is an antifertility agent which inhibits steroidogenesis in both sexes. The present study investigated the binding of gossypol in organelles of cultured bovine luteal cell to elucidate its inhibitory site of action in steroid biosynthesis. Cultured bovine luteal cells were incubated with 3H-gossypol (4.3 or 2.15 microM) for 3 hours. At the end of treatment, cultured bovine luteal cells were harvested, homogenized and centrifuged for organelle preparation. The radioactivity of gossypol was measured in each subcellular fraction. The cell membrane fraction has the highest binding capacity for gossypol, and the majority of gossypol was located in the particulate fractions. Results of the present study provide information in understanding the regulatory mechanism of gossypol on antisteroidogenic and/or toxic effects in cultured bovine luteal cells.     

Different pathways of cell killing by gossypol enantiomers

Gossypol, a polyphenolic, aldehyde-containing constituent of cottonseed, produced partial responses (>50% reduction in tumor size) in some patients with advanced cancer and suppressed sperm as an antifertility agent for men. This action in vivo and its novel side effect profile suggest a specific mechanism of the action of gossypol. Using the random homozygous knockout approach of Li and Cohen (1), we developed a cell line resistant to killing by gossypol, but sensitive to methotrexate and doxorubicin. It showed stereospecific resistance to killing by (-) gossypol (ED(50) 4.9 microM) compared with wild type (ED(50) 2.0 microM). The resistant and wild-type cells were equally sensitive to (+) gossypol (ED(50) 8.8 and 8.4 microM, respectively), methotrexate, and doxyrubicin. We conclude that gossypol affects cells by a stereospecific pathway for (-) gossypol, possibly related to its selective effects, and a nonstereospecific pathway for (+) gossypol and higher concentrations of (-) gossypol. Further knowledge about the stereospecific pathway may lead to new therapeutic drugs.     

棉酚对大鼠前列腺细胞增殖的影响

The effect of gossypol on prostate cells of rat was studied both in vitro and in vivo. For in vivo study, mature male Sprague Dawley rats were given gossypol orally, 5 mg/day, 5 times a week for one month. Then the prostates were examined histologically. By adding gossypol to the culture system directly, NbE-1 cells were used in vitro study. Several parameters, including histological structure, cell growth, DNA synthesis and mitotic cycle of cells were measured by different methods. The prostate size and weight in experimental rats decreased and significant differences between acini in controls and gossypol treated animals were noted. Acini of control prostate were full of protruding folds constituted by columnar epithelial cells, whereas, the most of the acini in treated animals were composing of cubic or square epithelial cells and epithelial folds were rarely seen. Thus, acini with normal appearance were about 14% less than that in controls. In the in vitro experiments, both cell proliferation and DNA synthesis decreased from 0 to 80% and from 0 to 90% respectively, when the concentrations of gossypol were increased from 0 to 20 micrograms/ml. It seems that 10 micrograms/ml of gossypol could cause the most significant inhibition in these two cellular functions. The cell mitotic assay showed that in treated groups, the cell number of S phase was decreased from 43 to 31%, this fact indicated that the inhibition on cell proliferation caused by gossypol might be due to preventing cells to enter S phase. Besides, inhibition effect on the proliferation of prostatic epithelial cells was dosage dependent and related to the duration of treatment.     

Taenia taeniaeformis: inhibition of metacestode development in the rat by gossypol

The effect of gossypol, a polyphenolic compound, on developing Taenia taeniaeformis larvae in the rat liver was examined. Five groups of rats were used. In group 1, subcutaneous injection of gossypol at 10 mg/kg was started 5 days prior to administration of tapeworm eggs. In group 2, gossypol injections were started 5 days after administration of eggs. Groups 3 and 4 were infected and noninfected rats, respectively, which received the vehicle (10% ethyl alcohol in 0.85% NaCl) only. Group 5 rats were noninfected but received gossypol. From each group, 5 rats were killed on days 7, 12, and 22 of infection, respectively. The number and size of larvae and the size of the livers were much less in rats gossypol injected 5 days before infection than those in the vehicle-treated group. Administration of gossypol 5 days after infection resulted in less inhibition. The size and the thickness of the fibrous capsule around larvae of the gossypol-treated rats were much smaller than those of the control-infected group. The actively developing larvae excrete or secrete a sulfated glycosaminoglycan which is specifically stained with alcian blue. There was much more alcian blue-positive substance around the larvae and the capsule of the control-infected liver compared to the gossypol-treated infected animal. The percentage body weight of the spleen was significantly greater in the gossypol-treated rats in both infected and noninfected groups. These results suggest that gossypol may directly inhibit tapeworm larval development or that elimination of the tapeworm may be resulted from gossypol-induced stimulation of host cell-mediated immunity.     

高效棉酚降解枯草芽孢杆菌M-4菌株的常压室温等离子体诱变及发酵工艺优化

【背景】棉粕中游离棉酚的存在制约了棉粕作为饲料蛋白源的利用,棉酚的微生物降解问题成为研究热点。本实验室前期发现枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis) M-4菌株具有较强的降解棉酚能力,而且已经应用于棉粕脱毒工业。【目的】进一步提高枯草芽孢杆菌M-4菌株降解棉粕中棉酚的能力,扩大棉粕在养殖业的应用领域。【方法】采用常压室温等离子体诱变(atmospheric and room temperature plasma,ARTP)技术对菌株M-4进行诱变,以液体培养条件下的棉酚降解率为初筛指标,筛选获得正向突变株。以棉粕固体发酵条件下的棉酚降解率为复筛指标,测定初筛获得的正向突变株实际降解棉粕中游离棉酚的能力。以棉酚残存量和棉酚降解率为检测指标,采用单因素试验优化固体条件下棉粕发酵条件,获得突变株发酵棉粕的最适工艺参数。【结果】初筛获得正向突变株19株。复筛得到一株高效的突变株MY-4-17,在棉粕固体发酵条件下其棉酚降解率高达97.15%,比菌株M-4的棉酚降解率提高了2.55%。经过5次传代培养,突变株MY-4-17的遗传稳定性良好。突变株MY-4-17发酵棉粕的最适工艺参数为...