Testicular creatine and urinary creatine-creatinine profiles in mice after the administration of the reproductive toxicant methoxyacetic acid

It was previously observed that the acute or subchronic administration of some testicular toxicants, caused a significant raise in urinary creatine in rats. The aim of this study was to verify whether creatinuria could be detected in mice (a species with a different excretion profile of creatine) and whether it could be correlated to the levels of creatine in testis and to other parameters of testicular toxicity. The well known testicular toxicant methoxyacetic acid (MAA) was orally administered as a single dose (400 or 600 mg kg^-) to male adult mice B6C3F1. Twenty-four hours after dosing, urinary creatine and creatinine showed a significant reduction with respect to the pre-treatment values. At the following times post-dosing (48 and 72 h) the creatine exceeded the control and pre-treatment values, while creatinine had not yet recovered. The ratio creatine/creatinine was significantly higher than control and pre-treatment values, at 24 and 48 h after the treatments. In testis a significant, dose-dependent, decrease of creatine was observed 24 h after dosing, with a pattern related to the histopathologic alterations observed at different times after the treatments. Creatine determination was the earlier quantitative parameter of testicular toxicity, since at this time testis weights, sperm head number and enzyme activities (LDH-C4, SDH) were less affected, their maximum decrease being reached at 14 days after the treatments. These data suggest that in mice, 2-MAA could interfere with the metabolism of creatine, both in testis and other biosynthetically active tissues.     

New insights into creatine function and synthesis

The text-book view of the role of the creatine/creatine phosphate system as an energy buffer has been expanded to include functions such as energy shuttling, proton buffering and regulating cytosolic ADP levels. There is continuous need for creatine replacement due to creatinine formation. Replacement involves a combination of diet and de novo synthesis. Creatine synthesis makes very significant demands on amino acid metabolism, in particular that of glycine, arginine and methionine. It uses about 40% of all methyl groups transferred from S-adenosylmethionine. Although the traditional view of the function of the creatine/creatine phosphate system is largely concerned with its role in skeletal and cardiac muscle, recent work obliges us to take a broader view. In particular, its role in the brain is brought into sharp focus by the neurological symptoms displayed by children suffering from inborn errors of creatine synthesis and transport, as well as by suggestions that brain creatine status may play a role in cognitive performance in adults.     

Non-enzymatic cyclization of creatine ethyl ester to creatinine

Creatine ethyl ester was incubated at 37 °C in both water and phosphate-buffered saline and the diagnostic methylene resonances in the ¹H NMR spectrum were used to identify the resultant products. It was found that mild aqueous conditions result in the cyclization of creatine ethyl ester to provide inactive creatinine as the exclusive product, and this transformation becomes nearly instantaneous as the pH approaches 7.4. This study demonstrates that mild non-enzymatic conditions are sufficient for the cyclization of creatine ethyl ester into creatinine, and together with previous results obtained under enzymatic conditions suggests that there are no physiological conditions that would result in the production of creatine. It is concluded that creatine ethyl ester is a pronutrient for creatinine rather than creatine under all physiological conditions encountered during transit through the various tissues, thus no ergogenic effect is to be expected from supplementation.     

Differential extractability of creatine phosphate and ATP from cardiac muscle with ethanol and perchloric acid solution.

To compare the extractability of creatine phosphate with that of ATP by alcohol extraction, both compounds were extracted from normal perfused rat heart tissues by using various stepwise concentrations of ethanol and 0.4 M HClO4. Powdered samples (6-15 mg wet wt) from the freeze-clamped tissues were homogenized in 2 ml of the ethanol solutions. After centrifugation, the supernatant was removed; each centrifuged sediment was rehomogenized with 2 ml of 0.4 M HClO4 and centrifuged. The supernatant was neutralized with 0.4 m KHCO3. The same powdered samples were directly homogenized with 2 ml of 0.4 M HClO4 and treated in the same manner. Only a small amount of ATP in the tissues was extracted by an 85% or higher concentration of ethanol. Further, about 13% of the tissue ATP was not extractable by the subsequent perchloric acid extraction. In contrast to ATP, creatine phosphate in the tissues was partially extracted by 95% ethanol and nearly all of the tissue creatine phosphate was extracted by 70% ethanol. The total creatine phosphate obtained by 70% ethanol and by subsequent perchloric acid extraction was significantly higher than that obtained by direct perchloric acid extraction. From these results, it was concluded that the extractability of creatine phosphate in the tissue by alcohol extraction is clearly different from that of ATP. Additionally, the stepwise extraction is recommended as a useful method for the extraction of energy metabolites in perfused rat heart tissue.     

A new method to synthesize creatine derivatives

Creatine is an amino acid that has a pivotal role in energy metabolism of cells. Creatine acts as an “ATP shuttle”, carrying ATP to the sites where it is utilized, through its reversible phosphorylation by creatine kinase. Moreover, the creatine-phosphocreatine system delays ATP depletion during anoxia or ischemia, thus exerting a neuroprotective role during those pathological conditions. Thus, its administration has been advocated as a treatment or prevention of several conditions involving the central nervous system. However, creatine crosses poorly the blood–brain barrier and the cell plasma membrane, thus its administration has but a limited effect. The use of more lipophilic creatine derivatives has thus been suggested. However, such a synthesis is complicated by the intrinsic characteristics of the creatine molecule that hardly reacts with other molecules and easily cyclizes to creatinine. We obtained amide derivatives from creatine starting from a new protected creatine molecule synthesized by us, the so-called (Boc)₂-creatine. We used a temporary protection only on the creatine guanidine group while allowing a good reactivity on the carboxylic group. This temporary protection ensured efficient creatine dissolution in organic solvents and offered simultaneous protection of creatine toward intramolecular cyclization to creatinine. In this manner, it was possible to selectively conjugate molecules on the carboxylic group. The creatine guanidine group was easily released from the protection at the end of the reaction, thus obtaining the desired creatine derivative.     

Enzymatic cycling method using creatine kinase to measure creatine by real-time detection

We have developed a novel enzymatic cycling method that uses creatine kinase (CK) to measure creatine. The method takes advantage of the reversibility of the CK reaction in which the forward (creatine phosphate forming) and reverse reactions are catalyzed in the presence of an excess amount of ATP and IDP, respectively. Real-time detection was accomplished using ADP-dependent glucokinase (ADP–GK) together with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. ADP, one of the cycling reaction products, was distinguished from IDP by using the nucleotide selectivity of the ADP–GK. The increasing level of ADP was measured from the level of reduced NADP at 340 nm. The method is appropriate for an assay that requires high sensitivity because the rate of increase in absorbance at 340 nm is proportional to the amount of CK present in the reaction mix. We reasoned that the method with CK in combination with creatinine amidohydrolase could be used to assay creatinine, an important marker of kidney function. Our results confirmed the quantitative capability of the assay.     

Metabolism of valine and the exchange of amino acids across the hind-limb muscles of fed and starved sheep

A combination of the isotope-dilution and arterio-venous (AV) difference techniques was used to study simultaneously the metabolism of valine in the whole body and in the hind-limb muscles of fed and starved (40 h) sheep. The net exchange of gluconeogenic amino acids across hind-limb muscles was also studied. Valine entry rate was unaffected by nutritional status. There was significant extraction of valine by hind-limb muscles in both fed and starved sheep. The percentage of valine uptake decarboxylated was higher (P less than 0.05) in fed sheep but the amount of valine decarboxylated was not significantly different. The proportion of valine uptake that was transaminated was about 30 times higher in starved sheep. About 54% of valine taken up by hind-limb muscle of starved sheep was metabolized. The corresponding value for fed sheep was 21%. The contribution of CO2 from valine decarboxylation to total hind-limb muscle CO2 output was about 0.2%. The output of alanine in both fed and starved sheep was low but the output of glutamine was relatively high and roughly equivalent to the amounts of aspartate, glutamate and branched-chain amino acids that were catabolized. This study has confirmed that valine is catabolized in sheep skeletal muscle, and shown that glutamine is a major carrier of amino nitrogen out of muscle.     

Creatine kinase from muscle cell nuclei]

It has been firstly demonstrated that rat heart and skeletal muscle nuclei contain creatine dinase, one of the most important enzymes of energy metabolism. The nuclei isolated in concentrated sucrose were practically free from cytoplasm and mitochondrial fragments. Electrophoresis in acetyl cellulose revealed that the nuclear extracts from rat heart and skeletal muscles contain only one isoenzyme of creatine kinase similar in mobility to the mitochondrial isoenzyme. The magnitude of Km values for creatine kinase from the nuclei of both tissues was determined. It was shown histochemically that creatine kinase is localized inside the nuclei, predominantly in the sites of chromatin location. A possible role of the enzyme in nuclear metabolism is discussed.     

The metabolic burden of creatine synthesis

Creatine synthesis is required in adult animals to replace creatine that is spontaneously converted to creatinine and excreted in the urine. Additionally, in growing animals it is necessary to provide creatine to the expanding tissue mass. Creatine synthesis requires three amino acids: glycine, methionine and arginine, and three enzymes: l-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT), methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) and guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT). The entire glycine molecule is consumed in creatine synthesis but only the methyl and amidino groups, respectively, from methionine and arginine. Creatinine loss averages approximately 2 g (14.6 mmol) for 70 kg males in the 20- to 39-year age group. Creatinine loss is lower in females and in older age groups because of lower muscle mass. Approximately half of this creatine lost to creatinine can be replaced, in omnivorous individuals, by dietary creatine. However, since dietary creatine is only provided in animal products, principally in meat and fish, virtually all of the creatine loss in vegetarians must be replaced via endogenous synthesis. Creatine synthesis does not appear to place a major burden on glycine metabolism in adults since this amino acid is readily synthesized. However, creatine synthesis does account for approximately 40% of all of the labile methyl groups provided by S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and, as such, places an appreciable burden on the provision of such methyl groups, either from the diet or via de novo methylneogenesis. Creatine synthesis consumes some 20–30% of arginine’s amidino groups, whether provided in the diet or synthesized within the body. Creatine synthesis is, therefore, a quantitatively major pathway in amino acid metabolism and imposes an appreciable burden on the metabolism of methionine and of arginine.     

The response by microorganisms to steady-state growth in controlled concentrations of oxygen and glucose. II. Saccharomyces carlsbergensis

The growth of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis in continuous culture has been studied when dissolved oxygen and glucose concentrations were held constant at a series of steady-state levels. Both oxygen and glucose controlled the degree of aerobic metabolism and of ethanolic fermentation. When the glucose uptake rate was low (between 1.2 and 2.8 mmoles per hour per gram of yeast) the relative distribution of glucose between ethanolic and aerobic fermentation was sensitive to oxygen: when dissolved oxygen was near to saturation, glucose metabolism was 0.98 aerobic; when dissolved oxygen was 0.01 saturated, 0.8 of intake glucose metabolism was by ethanolic fermentation. On the other hand when glucose intake was high (between 7.6 and 18.2 mmoles) metabolism was predominately by ethanolic fermentation even when dissolved oxygen concentration was at saturation. The extent, to which catabolism proceeded by an anaerobic or aerobic pathway, as judged by ethanol production, was controlled more by the uptake of glucose than of oxygen.     

Reduced growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in creatine depleted mice fed beta-guanidinopropionic acid

The effect of implantation of Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells on creatine distribution was investigated. It was also studied how depletion of creatine by feeding creatine-analogue beta-guanidinopropionic acid (beta-GPA) affects the growth of EAT cells in mice. Enhanced mobilization of creatine from host tissues to EAT cells against a greater concentration gradient was observed. The creatine (but not creatinine) level in blood plasma was lowered to 22% of the normal value by beta-GPA feeding alone and assimilation of 14C-creatine into EAT cells was inhibited. The growth of EAT cells was significantly reduced and the duration of survival of mice after implantation of EAT cells was extended when the creatine concentration was decreased. A decrease in daily food consumption and the degree of muscle atrophy after implantation of EAT cells was less in beta-GPA than control groups. In the creatine-depleted mice, the rate of increase in total EAT cell number and the volume of abdominal ascites were approximately half of the control values, and more dead EAT cells were observed. These results suggest that supplementation of beta-GPA inhibits creatine transfer to EAT cells and reduces the growth of cancer cells.     

Postprandial exchange of urea and ammonia nitrogen between the digestive tract and portal blood in the conscious pig after ingestion of a diet with or without urea

The concentrations of urea and ammonia were measured in the portal and arterial blood simultaneously to the blood flow rate in the portal vein during the postprandial period (8 hrs.) after ingestion of a normal protein diet with 3% urea (10 meals) or without urea (12 meals) in conscious pigs (mean body weight: 55.5 +/- 2.3 kg). When no urea was present in the diet, there was a slight and permanent uptake of blood urea by the gut (570 mg/h, i.e. 9,5 mmoles/h) as well as a permanent appearance of ammonia in the portal vein (258 mg/h i.e. 15.2 mmoles/h), increasing with time (P less than 0.05). The absorbed ammonia nitrogen represented a maximum of 70% of urea nitrogen taken up. 2. Addition of urea to the diet brought about a large absorption of that substance (73% of the ingested amount) followed by a rather large excretion (960 mg/h, i.e. 16 mmoles/h), 5-6 hrs. after the meal and led to an increase (P less than 0.05) in the absorption of ammonia.     

假单胞菌株K9510产肌酐酰氨基水解酶的条件

肌酐酰氨基水解酶是酶法分析血清肌酐浓度的关键酶。本实验室从空气中分离到能分解肌酐的菌株K9510,K9511和K9512,其中K9510菌株初步分类鉴定为假单胞菌（Pseudomonas sp.)。菌株产酶条件优化研究结果表明：菌株在底物或底物类化物的诱导下产酶;混合金属离子溶液对菌株产酶有促进作用,菌株产肌酐酰氨基水解酶是适培养基组成为：肌酐9克,酵母提取物1．5g,麦芽汁0．9g,NH4Cl0.5g,定容1L。适量混合金属离子溶液,用0．1mol/L pH5.5磷酸缓冲液配制.。在250mL三角瓶中装50mL培养基,在250r/min的旋转摇床上35度振荡培养33h,在此条件下菌株产酶量可达1．0u/mL发酵液。     

Analysis of creatine and creatinine in urine by capillary electrophoresis

Creatine is found in the urine of subjects ingesting creatine monohydrate as an ergogenic aid. Creatinine, the catabolic breakdown product of creatine, is a major constituent of normal urine. It is of interest to follow the excretion of creatine and creatinine in urine as a function of time after creatine ingestion. In this study, creatine and creatinine were analyzed in urine by capillary electrophoresis. The optimization of the method was discussed, with the best results being obtained using a 30 mM phosphate–150 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate buffer at pH 6, with the detector set at 214 nm and an applied voltage of 15 kV across a 45 cm capillary. Verification of the method was provided by HPLC analysis and spiking. The application of the method was demonstrated by analysis of creatine and creatinine in urine samples collected in a 24-h period following creatine ingestion.     

Contact site between inner and outer mitochondrial membrane: a dynamic microcompartment for creatine kinase activity

Creatine kinase is involved in the integration of high-energy metabolism in various tissues. In this study the tissue-specific distribution of the mitochondrial isoform was investigated, both by electrophoresis of rat tissue extracts, and by ultrastructural localisation of creatine kinase activity. Furthermore, the influence of uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation on mitochondrial creatine kinase activity associated with intermembrane contacts was investigated by enzyme cytochemistry and morphometric analysis. The results of the cytochemical survey indicate that contact sites are a prerequisite for creatine kinase to demonstrate enzymatic activity. Moreover, the extent of creatine kinase active membrane contacts depends on the metabolic state of the mitochondrion, as shown for heart mitochondria in vivo and in vitro, before and after treatment with dinitrophenol.     

Diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of inborn errors of creatine metabolism and transport using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in urine,plasma and CSF

Biochemical detection of inborn errors of creatine metabolism or transport relies on the analysis of three main metabolites in biological fluids: guanidinoacetate (GAA), creatine (CT) and creatinine (CTN). Unspecific clinical presentation of the diseases might be the cause that only few patients have been diagnosed so far. We describe a LC–MS/MS method allowing fast and reliable diagnosis by simultaneous quantification of GAA, CT and CTN in urine, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and established reference values for each material.     

Creatinine hydrolase and creatine amidinohydrolase: II. Partial purification and properties

Summary The optimal conditions for growing A. ureafaciens for producing maximum amounts of creatinine hydrolase and creatine amidinohydrolase relative to total protein are described. This required a medium in which either creatinine or creatine was the sole source of carbon.The specific activity of a crude, cell-free sonicate of creatinine hydrolase was increased 110- to 140-fold by a series of purification steps including heat treatment which inactivated creatine amidinohydrolase, precipitation of nucleic acids with streptomycin, ammonium sulfate precipitation of inert proteins, Sephadex Gel-200 filtration and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The most highly purified preparation of creatinine hydrolase still contained a number of inert proteins as demonstrated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis but was completely devoid of creatine amidinohydrolase activity.The pH optimum of creatinine hydrolase was 8.3 and the K_m was 0.125 M. The molecular weight of creatinine hydrolase as determined by filtration on a Sephadex Gel-200 column was approximately 240,000 and appeared to be composed of eight subunits. The molecular weight of creatine amidinohydrolase was in the vicinity of 100,000.The inhibitory effects of heavy metals and sulfhydryl compounds on the activities of the enzymes were studied.Predoctoral Fellow supported by NIH Training Grant 5T1-GM00052. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the M.S. degree.     

Effect of glucose load and of insulin on the metabolism of glucose and of palmitate in sheep

1. Simultaneous measurements of the entry rates of palmitate and glucose have been made in Merino sheep (wethers), starved for 24hr., by using constant infusions of [9,10-(3)H(2)]palmitate and [U-(14)C]glucose. 2. The infusion of glucose into the peripheral circulation of the sheep lowered the endogenous entry of both glucose and palmitate. Since palmitate is roughly metabolically representative of the free fatty acid fraction, there was no marked change in the calories available to the sheep. 3. The infusion of insulin into either the peripheral or portal circulation increased the uptake of glucose and decreased the uptake of palmitate by the tissues of the sheep. 4. The infusion of insulin into the peripheral circulation produced a depression in glucose entry after about 80min., whereas the infusion of insulin into the portal circulation produced an almost immediate depression in glucose entry. 5. The hypoglycaemia produced gave rise to an increase in free fatty acid production followed by an increase in glucose production. 6. No direct effect of insulin on the metabolism of free fatty acids has been demonstrated by the techniques used. The effect of insulin on the metabolism of free fatty acids is apparently mediated through its effect on glucose metabolism.     

Na and K in outer segments of retinal rods

The amount of Na⁺ and K⁺ in isolated bovine retina outer segments and slices of outer segments obtained from frozen and freeze-dried bovine and frog retinas was established. It is shown that during the conventional procedure of isolation nearly 75% of the Na⁺ and K⁺ present in native structures was lost.

The average amount of K⁺ in bovine outer segments is 158 mmoles/kg dry wt.; Na⁺, 136 mmoles/kg dry wt. In frog outer segments there is: K⁺, 133 mmoles/kg dry wt.; Na⁺, 91 mmoles/kg dry wt.

With the help of the electron microscopic technique Na⁺ was shown to be located predominantly in the sacs of the outer segments. As for K⁺, it is, in all probability, in the extrasaccular space which agrees with some experimental biochemical data obtained.