PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “ACID”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Stability of amino acids and the availability of acid in total parenteral nutrition solutions containing hydrochloric acid.

The stability of amino acids and the availability of acid from total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions containing hydrochloric acid were studied. Hydrochloric acid in the concentrations of 40 (TPN 1), 60 (TPN 2), and 100 (TPN 3) meq/liter was added to TPN solutions (4.25% amino acids, 25% dextrose monohydrate) containing various electrolytes (TPN control). Amino acid concentrations were determined from one sample of each solution using a Technicon Automatic Amino Acid Analyzer. Samples were analyzed 24 hours after mixing and compared with the TPN control at 24 hours. Tryptophan was assayed using a specific colorimetric assay at 0, 6, 24, and 48 hours. The concentrations of proline (76.2 of control) and histidine (85.7% of control) wee decreased in TPN 3. This phenomenon appeared to be dependent upon the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the TPN solution. There was no appreciable loss of any of the other amino acids in the test solution as compared with the control. Tryptophan levels fell in both the TPN control and the test solutions independent of the hydrochloric acid concentration. The pH of the solutions decreased with increasing concentrations of hydrochloric acid from 5.87 in the TPN control to 3.18 in TPN 3. The titratable acidity increased with increasing concentrations of hydrochloric acid (28.21 meq/liter in the TPN control to 115.54 meq/liter in TPN 3). Concentrations of some amino acids decreased in the presence of hydrochloric acid. Because of the short-time period in which these solutions will usually be infused (4-24 hours), this probably has a negligible effect on patients' nutritional therapy. The availability of acid from these solutions makes this combination useful in treating severe metabolic alkalosis.

Alkalosis↗

Biosynthesis of bile acids in man. An in vivo evaluation of the conversion of R and S 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic and 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-24 xi-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acids to cholic acid.

In vivo studies were carried out on three bile fistula patients to further elucidate the side chain oxidation pathways from C-27 bile acids to cholic acid in man. Two patients each received (25-R)- and (25-S)-3 alpha, 7 alpha,-12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-[7 beta-3H]cholestanoic acid (THCA) on consecutive days and three patients wee administered 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alhpa, 24 xi-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-[7 beta-3H]cholestanoic acid (varanic acid). The varanic acid was biosynthetically prepared with rat liver microsomes and was probably the 24 alpha isomer. The patients efficiently (84 to 97%) converted both (R)- and (S)-THCA to cholic acid. There was no apparent significant difference in the ability of either (R)- or (S)-THCA to form cholic acid. Varanic acid was poorly converted (20 to 27%) to cholic acid in all three patients. From 49 to 75% of the administered 3H activity was recovered in the bile as other labeled products. The bulk (30 to 35%) of this 3H activity was identified by thin layer chromatography as varanic acid. The rate of conversion of (R)-THCA, (S)-THCA, and varanic acid was extremely rapid in all three patients with a t 1/2 of 35 to 74 min. The findings suggest that (a) the stereospecific configuration at C-25 of THCA has no significant effect on the efficiency of side chain oxidation to cholic acid; and (b) side chain cleavage pathways may exist which do not pass through varanic acid, or the oxidation of varanic acid in man is highly stereospecific with respect to the hydroxyl group at C-24. To prove the latter, it will be necessary to compare the metabolism of the 24 alpha and 24 beta isomers of varanic acid.

Bile↗

The effect of retinoids and clofibric acid on the peroxisomal oxidation of palmitic acid and of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid in rat and rabbit hepatocytes.

The effects of retinoids and the peroxisome proliferator clofibric acid on peroxisomal enzyme pathways were studied in hepatocytes from both rat and rabbit. Retinoic acid and retinol increased the activity of acyl-CoA oxidase in rabbit hepatocytes around 60% and around 30% in rat hepatocytes. Exposure to clofibric acid caused an increase in acyl-CoA oxidase activity of 115% in rat hepatocytes and of 40% in rabbit hepatocytes, indicating that rabbit is less sensitive to peroxisome proliferator than rat. Simultaneous exposure to clofibric acid and retinoids did not act additatively or synergistically. Both rabbit and rat hepatocytes expressed mRNA for the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor, (PPAR), although the transcript in rabbit was slightly smaller compared to that expressed in rat hepatocytes. The effect of retinoic acid in 7800 C1 Morris rat hepatoma cells, a cell line known to have an inducible peroxisomal beta-oxidation of fatty acids, was only slight with an increase of the acyl-CoA oxidase activity of 25% compared with control cells. As for clofibric acid, which gave a 2-fold induction of the acyl-CoA oxidase activity, the effect of retinoic acid was potentiated by dexamethasone. These cells also expressed mRNA for PPAR, with the same size as that found in rat hepatocytes. The oxidation of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid (THCA), an intermediate in bile acid formation, in rat hepatocytes increased 110% by clofibric acid and around 80% by retinoic acid. In rabbit hepatocytes, clofibric acid increased the oxidation rate 75% and retinoic acid 100%. The results presented here show similarities in the effects of retinoids and clofibric acid on the acyl-CoA oxidase activity and the oxidation rate of THCA, since they increase these two peroxisomal activities in hepatocytes in vitro. A decrease in both these enzyme activities occurs during cultivation time in untreated primary hepatocyte cultures. The present data may therefore either be explained by an increased expression or an induced stability of the enzymes involved.

Animals↗

Novel retinoic acid, 9-cis retinoic acid, in combination with all-trans retinoic acid is an effective inducer of differentiation of retinoic acid-resistant HL-60 cells.

Recent studies have shown that a high proportion of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) achieve complete remission after treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (RA). Nevertheless, despite an initial good response, most patients that received continuous treatment with all-trans RA relapse and develop RA-resistant disease. The 9-cis RA is a high-affinity ligand for retinoid X receptors (RXRs) and also binds efficiently to retinoic acid receptors (RARs); all-trans RA is a ligand for RARs. Both alone are able to induce differentiation of wild-type HL-60 cells. We found that neither all-trans RA nor 9-cis RA (< 2 x 10(-6) mol/L) induced differentiation of RA-resistant HL-60 cells into either mature granulocytes or monocytes. However, morphologic differentiation of the RA-resistant HL-60 cells was induced by 10(-6) mol/L all-trans RA combined with various concentrations (10(-12) to 10(-6) mol/L) of 9-cis RA. Electron microscopic examination also confirmed that the combination of both retinoids induced RA-resistant HL-60 cells to differentiate to mature granulocytes. Functional analysis of differentiation (NBT reduction activity) confirmed the necessity of both analogs to induce differentiation. Also, expression of myeloid-specific differentiation antigens (CD11b and CD14) as well as migration inhibitory factor-related protein (MRP)-8/14 mRNAs were upregulated only in the presence of both retinoids in a dose-dependent manner. In these conditions 3H-thymidine incorporation was inhibited and numbers of viable cells were decreased, suggesting that all-trans RA with 9-cis RA may inhibit cell growth and induce differentiation of RA-resistant HL-60 cells into mature granulocytes. These studies suggest that 9-cis RA in combination with all-trans RA is an effective inducer of RA-resistant HL-60 cells and may have implications for both the biology of retinoids and clinical treatment of RA-resistant acute myelogenous leukemia, including APL patients.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Lipoic acid favors thiolsulfinate formation after hypochlorous acid scavenging: a study with lipoic acid derivatives.

Lipoic acid, the oxidized form of 6,8-dimercapto-octanoic acid has a strained cyclic disulfide in a 1,2-dithiolane ring. Recently its antioxidant activity gained attention. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is an oxidant produced by neutrophils. A prominent effect of HOCl is the inactivation of alpha-1-antiproteinase. Due to this inactivation, the ability of alpha-1-antiproteinase to inhibit elastase is lost. The resulting higher activity of elastase is held responsible for tissue damage in lung emphysema. We studied the HOCl scavenging capability of three metabolites of lipoic acid: tetranor-, bisnor-, and beta-lipoic acid. To obtain some insight on the molecular basis of HOCl scavenging 1,2-dithiane-4,5-diol, cystine, lipoic acid methyl ester, and lipoamide were also included in the study. The extent of alpha-1-antiproteinase inactivation by HOCl in the presence of scavenger was taken as a parameter to quantify the scavenging activity. It was found that lipoic acid, tetranor- and bisnorlipoic acid, lipoic acid methyl ester, and lipoamide all showed the same activity toward HOCl. beta-Lipoic acid, 1,2-dithiane-4,5-diol and cystine were less active. The products of lipoic acid after reaction with HOCl were studied using GC/MS. Indications for thiolsulfinate formation were found by comparing these products with the GC/MS profile of beta-lipoic acid. Thiolsulfinate formation may also be suggested in the reaction of tetranor- and bisnorlipoic acid and lipoic acid methyl ester with HOCl. The present results show an antioxidant activity of the metabolites tetranor- and bisnorlipoic acid. The 1,2-dithiolane ring may enhance the reactivity toward HOCl compared to less strained disulfides, resulting in the formation a thiolsulfinate.

Free Radical Scavengers↗

Suitability of [11, 12-3H2]chenodeoxycholic acid and [11, 12-3H2]lithocholic acid for isotope dilution studies of bile acid metabolism in man.

Studies were carried out to assess the stability of the label in [11,12-(3)H(2)]chenodeoxycholic acid and [11,12-(3)H(2)]lithocholic acid during enterohepatic cycling and thus define the suitability of these tracers for isotope dilution studies of bile acids in man. To do this, [11,12-(3)H(2)]-chenodeoxycholic acid and [24-(14)C]chenodeoxycholic acid were administered simultaneously to six healthy adults. The (3)H/(14)C ratio of biliary chenodeoxycholic acid and the specific activity of biliary chenodeoxycholic acid were determined to permit calculation of pool size and turnover rate by the conventional isotope dilution procedure of Lindstedt (1957. Acta Physiol. Scand. 40: 1). Excretion of label in urine was measured as well as the (3)H/(14)C ratio of fecal bile acids. Similar studies were carried out with [11,12-(3)H(2)]lithocholic acid and [24-(14)C]lithocholic acid. With [11,12-(3)H(2)]chenodeoxycholic acid, 10-15% of the label was lost during the first 24 hours, after which the (3)H/(14)C ratio of biliary chenodeoxycholic acid remained constant. The loss of (3)H caused a consistent overestimate of pool size by 10-15%, but since the fractional turnover rate of the two isotopes was identical, the calculated rate of synthesis was 10-15% greater when determined using (3)H. The loss of (3)H was attributed to the presence of (3)H in positions other than 11 and 12 occurring during the labeling procedure when the unsaturated precursor was exposed to carrier-free tritium gas. The (3)H/(14)C ratio of feces was consistently below that of bile, suggesting bacterial removal of additional (3)H during distal intestinal passage. In contrast, [11,12-(3)H(2)]lithocholic acid lost (3)H continuously, so that by 2 days after administration, the (3)H/(14)C ratio had fallen to nearly half of that of the administered mixture. It is concluded that isotope dilution studies may be carried out with one preparation of [11,12-(3)H(2)]chenodeoxycholic acid with an error of 10-15%; possibly a more stable preparation can be prepared with a gentler tritiation procedure. One preparation of [11,12-(3)H(2)]lithocholic acid was unsatisfactory for isotope dilution studies in man.

Adult↗

Uptake of the beta-lactam precursor alpha-aminoadipic acid in Penicillium chrysogenum is mediated by the acidic and the general amino acid permease.

External addition of the beta-lactam precursor alpha-aminoadipic acid to the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum leads to an increased intracellular alpha-aminoadipic acid concentration and an increase in penicillin production. The exact route for alpha-aminoadipic acid uptake is not known, although the general amino acid and acidic amino acid permeases have been implicated in this process. Their corresponding genes, PcGAP1 and PcDIP5, of P. chrysogenum were cloned and functionally expressed in a mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (M4276) in which the acidic amino acid and general amino acid permease genes (DIP5 and GAP1, respectively) are disrupted. Transport assays show that both PcGap1 and PcDip5 mediated the uptake of alpha-aminoadipic acid, although PcGap1 showed a higher affinity for alpha-aminoadipic acid than PcDip5 (K(m) values, 230 and 800 microM, respectively). Leucine strongly inhibits alpha-aminoadipic acid transport via PcGap1 but not via PcDip5. This difference was exploited to estimate the relative contribution of each transport system to the alpha-aminoadipic acid flux in beta-lactam-producing P. chrysogenum. The transport measurements demonstrate that both PcGap1 and PcDip5 contribute to the alpha-aminoadipic acid flux.

2-Aminoadipic Acid↗

Regulation of pathways of extramitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and liver fatty acid-binding protein by long-chain monocarboxylic fatty acids in hepatocytes. Effect of inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I.

The regulation of the extramitochondrial fatty acid oxidation pathways located in the peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum is not fully understood. Although both long-chain dicarboxylic fatty acids, which are poorly metabolized in hepatocytes, and non-beta-oxidizable fatty acid analogs induce peroxisomal beta-oxidation and liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) by a pretranslational mechanism, monocarboxylic long-chain fatty acids, which are rapidly esterified and oxidized, do not. To establish whether impaired utilization and, hence, sustained intracellular levels of monocarboxylic long-chain fatty acids increase their efficacy as inducers, the effect of oleic acid on cytochrome P-450 4A1, peroxisomal beta-oxidation, and L-FABP during inhibition of mitochondrial beta-oxidation was determined. In primary hepatocyte cultures, oleic acid had no inducing effect, but in the presence of 2-tetradecylglycidic acid (TDGA), an inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, it induced P-450 4A1, peroxisomal beta-oxidation, and L-FABP pretranslationally. An increase in peroxisomal beta-oxidation was also noted in the presence of etomoxir, another inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I. Exposure of hepatocytes to TDGA for 1 h led to an expected decrease in incorporation of radiolabel from [1-14C]oleate into CO2 and water-soluble products. In contrast, long-term exposure to TDGA increased incorporation of [1-14C]oleate into oxidation products, most likely due to an adaptive induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation. Both acute and long-term exposure of hepatocytes to TDGA decreased incorporation of oleic acid into triglycerides, an effect that may have contributed to the intracellular accumulation of fatty acids. These results provide support for a mechanism by which long-chain fatty acids or specific metabolites, including long-chain acyl-CoA esters and long-chain dicarboxylic acids, act as signals in the induction of P-450 4A1, peroxisomal beta-oxidation, and L-FABP under conditions in which long-chain fatty acids accumulate due to impaired entry into the mitochondrial beta-oxidation pathway.

Acyl-CoA Oxidase↗

Hydrolysis of salicyluric acid in intestinal microorganisms and prolonged blood concentration of salicylic acid following rectal administration of salicyluric acid in rats.

The blood concentrations of salicyluric acid and salicylic acid following oral, intravenous, intracecal and rectal administration of salicyluric acid were determined in rats. After oral administration of salicyluric acid, salicyluric acid was rapidly absorbed. Salicylic acid was detected at low concentration. Following intravenous administration of salicyluric acid, salicyluric acid was detected in the blood and was rapidly eliminated. A trace amount of salicylic acid was detected, suggesting that systemic deconjugation of glycine was involved. Furthermore, in vitro incubation of salicyluric acid with contents of the gut showed that the major source of the hydrolysis was the hind gut. Immediate and very extensive salicylic acid formation in the cecum was found following intracecal administration of salicyluric acid. The blood concentration of salicylic acid was maintained at 2.6-4.0 micrograms/ml from 4 to 12 h following rectal administration of salicyluric acid (10 mg/kg: salicylic acid equivalent). Species difference in the metabolic fate of salicyluric acid in rats and rabbits reported previously is discussed.

Administration, Oral↗

Oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid and oxindole-3-acetic acid to 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2-oxo-1H indole-3-acetic acid-7'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside in Zea mays seedlings.

Radiolabeled oxindole-3-acetic acid was metabolized by roots, shoots, and caryopses of dark grown Zea mays seedlings to 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2-oxo-1H indole-3-acetic acid-7'-O-beta-D-glycopyranoside with the simpler name of 7-hydroxyoxindole-3-acetic acid-glucoside. This compound was also formed from labeled indole-3-acetic acid supplied to intact seedlings and root segments. The glucoside of 7-hydroxyoxindole-3-acetic acid was also isolated as an endogenous compound in the caryopses and shoots of 4-day-old seedlings. It accumulates to a level of 4.8 nanomoles per plant in the kernel, more than 10 times the amount of oxindole-3-acetic acid. In the shoot it is present at levels comparable to that of oxindole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-acetic acid (62 picomoles per shoot). We conclude that 7-hydroxyoxindole-3-acetic acid-glucoside is a natural metabolite of indole-3-acetic acid in Z. mays seedlings. From the data presented in this paper and in previous work, we propose the following route as the principal catabolic pathway for indole-3-acetic acid in Zea seedlings: Indole-3-acetic acid --> Oxindole-3-acetic acid --> 7-Hydroxyoxindole-3-acetic acid --> 7-Hydroxyoxindole-3-acetic acid-glucoside.

Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid↗

Biosynthesis of cyclopentenyl fatty acids. Cyclopentenylglycine, a non-proteinogenic amino acid as precursor of cyclic fatty acids in Flacourtiaceae.

In seeds of Hydnocarpus anthelminthica of Flacourtiaceae, cyclopentenylglycine and cyclopentenyl fatty acids are found naturally. The non-proteinogenic amino acid may serve as precursor of cyclopentenyl fatty acids via aleprolic acid, the starter molecule for these long-chain compounds. After administration of cyclopentenyl[2-14C]glycine to maturing seeds of H. anthelminthica, labelled cyclopentenyl fatty acids were synthesized. Comparative activities were observed, when [1-14C]aleprolic acid was supplied to the seeds. Incorporation studies with [1-14C]acetate revealed that the chain-lengthening systems for straight-chain and cyclic fatty acids were still functioning in mature seeds. Endosperm and embryo of H. Anthelminthica seeds synthesized cyclopentenyl fatty acids from cyclopentenyl[2-14C]glycine, [1-14C]aleprolic acid and [1-14C]acetate. In embryonic tissue, a dilution experiment proved the following path for cyclopentenyl fatty acid biosynthesis: cyclopentenylglycine leads to aleprolic acid leads to cyclopentenyl fatty acids. The conversion of cyclopentenylglycine to aleprolic acid may occur via transamination and oxidative decarboxylation; activated aleprolic acid is then lengthened by C2-units to cyclopentenyl fatty acids.

Acetates↗

Phytanic acid alpha-oxidation: accumulation of 2-hydroxyphytanic acid and absence of 2-oxophytanic acid in plasma from patients with peroxisomal disorders.

A stable isotope dilution method was developed for the measurement of 2-hydroxyphytanic acid and 2-oxophytanic acid in plasma. In plasma from healthy individuals and from patients with Refsum's disease, 2-hydroxyphytanic acid was found at levels less than 0.2 mumol/l, whereas the acid accumulated in plasma from patients with rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata, generalized peroxisomal dysfunction, and a single peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme deficiency. In plasma from both healthy controls and patients with peroxisomal disorders, 2-oxophytanic acid was undetectable. Four different groups of diseases were characterized with a defective phytanic acid alpha-oxidation and/or pristanic acid beta-oxidation: 1) Refsum's disease, with a defect at phytanic acid alpha-hydroxylation; 2) rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata, with a defect at 2-hydroxyphytanic acid decarboxylation; 3) generalized peroxisomal disorders, with defects at 2-hydroxyphytanic acid decarboxylation and at pristanic acid beta-oxidation; 4) single peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme deficiencies, with a defect at pristanic acid beta-oxidation, resulting in an impaired phytanic acid alpha-oxidation by inhibition. The results indicate that 2-hydroxyphytanic acid decarboxylation and pristanic acid beta-oxidation take place in peroxisomes.

Adolescent↗

Eskimo plasma constituents, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid inhibit the release of atherogenic mitogens.

Studies in man and laboratory animals suggest that omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid constituents of fish oils have antiatherosclerotic properties. We have studied the effects of several such polyunsaturated fatty acids for ability to modify the in vitro release of mitogens from human platelets. Such mitogens may produce the fibro-proliferative component of atherosclerotic plaques. Both 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 omega 3) and 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega 3), major constituents of fish oils, inhibited adenosine diphosphate-induced aggregation of platelets and the accompanying release of mitogens. These effects are dose dependent. Linolenic acid (18:3 omega 3), the biosynthetic precursor of eicosapentaenoic acid, also inhibited platelet aggregation and mitogen release. Eicosapentaenoic acid also inhibited mitogen release from human monocyte-derived macrophages, which, in vivo, are an additional source of mitogens during atherogenesis. Potent inhibition of human platelet aggregation and mitogen release was also seen with dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid 20:3 omega 6), whose levels are reportedly elevated in Eskimos subsisting on marine diets. We conclude that diets that elevate plasma and/or tissue levels of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid precursor gamma-linolenic acid (18:3 omega 6) may exert antiatherosclerotic effects by inhibiting the release of mitogens from platelets and other cells.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗

Action of picolinic acid and structurally related pyridine carboxylic acids on quinolinic acid-induced cortical cholinergic damage.

Picolinic acid, a pyridine monocarboxylic acid derived from tryptophan metabolism by the kynurenine pathway, was shown to block cortical cholinergic neurotoxicity induced by quinolinic acid (QUIN), a pyridine dicarboxylic acid yielded by the same pathway. This study examined the specificity of the anti-toxic effect of picolinic acid by comparing its effect with several structurally related mono- and dicarboxylic acids, and by evaluating its potential to influence cholinergic neurotoxicity produced by kainic, ibotenic and quisqualic acid. Picolinic acid or related agents were injected alone or in combination with a fixed dose of QUIN into the right nucleus basalis magnocellularis (nbM) of rats anesthetized with halothane. Cholinergic neurotoxicity was assessed 7 days post injection by measuring choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in the frontoparietal cortex on the injected and uninjected side. In picolinate experiments, the staining of nbM neurons by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry was also examined. Focal injections of QUIN depleted cortical ChAT activity and staining of AChE in the nbM. Co-injection of picolinic acid with QUIN attenuated the decline in these two cholinergic neuron markers. Isonicotinate (4-pyridine monocarboxylate), but not nicotinate (3-pyridine monocarboxylate), significantly attenuated QUIN's effect on cortical ChAT activity. Among several dicarboxylic acids examined, only dipicolinate (2,6-pyridine dicarboxylate) showed activity. It produced a modest QUIN-like effect, but in co-injection experiments it attenuated the QUIN-induced decrease in cortical ChAT. When co-injected into the nbM with a neurotoxic dose of kainic, ibotenic or quisqualic acid which produced a neurotoxic response comparable to that of QUIN, picolinic acid attenuated kainic acid-induced neurotoxicity, but not ibotenate or quisqualate neurotoxicity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Inhibition of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid oxidation and of bile acid secretion in rat liver by fatty acids.

In isolated rat hepatocytes, fatty acids inhibited the side chain oxidation, but not the uptake, of exogenously added 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid (THCA). THCA did not inhibit fatty acid oxidation. In liver homogenates, fatty acids inhibited THCA activation to its CoA ester (THC-CoA) and THCA oxidation. THCA did not influence fatty acid activation or oxidation. Comparison of the THC-CoA concentrations present in the incubation mixtures during THCA oxidation, with substrate concentration curves determined for THC-CoA oxidation, indicated that the inhibition of THCA oxidation by fatty acids was at least partly exerted at the activation step. The inhibition of THCA activation by fatty acids was noncompetitive. Palmitoyl-CoA at concentrations found in the incubation mixtures during THCA oxidation in the presence of palmitate inhibited THC-CoA oxidation, but not sufficiently to fully explain the fatty acid-induced inhibition of THCA oxidation. The inhibition of THC-CoA oxidation by palmitoyl-CoA did not seem to be competitive. Acyl-CoA oxidase, the first enzyme of peroxisomal beta-oxidation (which catalyzes the side chain oxidation of THCA), was enhanced 15-fold in liver homogenates from clofibrate-treated rats when palmitoyl-CoA was the substrate, but the oxidase activity remained unaltered when THC-CoA was the substrate. In the perfused liver, oleate, infused after a wash-out period of 60 min, markedly inhibited bile acid secretion. The results 1) suggest that fatty acids inhibit THCA metabolism both at the activation step and at the peroxisomal beta-oxidation sequence and that separate enzymes may be involved in both the activation and peroxisomal beta-oxidation of fatty acids and THCA and 2) raise the question whether fatty acids might (indirectly?) affect overall bile acid synthesis via their inhibitory effect on THCA metabolism.

Animals↗

Alkylthioacetic acids (3-thia fatty acids) are metabolized and excreted as shortened dicarboxylic acids in vivo.

The metabolism of 1-14C-labeled long-chain alkylthioacetic acids (3-thia fatty acids) which are blocked for normal beta-oxidation by a sulfur atom in the beta-position has been investigated in vivo. Most of the injected radioactivity (greater than 50%) was excreted in the urine within the first 48 h. The recovered and identified metabolites were all short sulfoxydicarboxylic acids. The main metabolite from dodecylthioacetic acid was carboxypropylsulfoxy acetic acid. Some bis(carboxymethyl)sulfoxide (dithioglycolic acid sulfoxide) was also found. The main metabolite from nonylthioacetic acid was carboxyethylsulfoxyacetic acid. No sulfones were found. Less than 1% of the 1-14C from the dodecylthioacetic acid was recovered in respiratory CO2 and about 3% of the 1-14C from nonylthioacetic acid. [1-14C]Dodecyl-sulfonylacetic acid was recovered almost quantitatively as carboxypropylsulfonylacetic acid in the urine after 3 h. A significant fraction (10% of the dodecylthioacetic acid was recovered in the phospholipids and triacylglycerols from liver and epidymal fat pad 4 h after injection. These experiments show that the alkylthioacetic acids undergo an initial omega-oxidation followed by beta-oxidation to short dicarboxylic acids.

Animals↗

Excitatory amino acid receptor ligands. Synthesis and biological activity of 3-isoxazolol amino acids structurally related to homoibotenic acid.

The 3-isoxazolol amino acid (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA, 2) and the isomeric compound (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-4-methylisoxazol-5-yl)propionic acid (4-methylhomoibotenic acid, 4a) are potent agonists at the AMPA subtype of central excitatory amino acid receptors. Using 4a as a lead structure, the amino acids 4c-e, in which the 4-methyl group of 4a is replaced by substituents of different size and polarity, were synthesized. Attempts to synthesize 4-(bromomethyl)homoibotenic acid (4f), a potential receptor alkylating agent, were unsuccessful. 4-Butylhomoibotenic acid (4c) and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)homoibotenic acid (4e) were equipotent as inhibitors of [3H]AMPA binding (IC50 = 2 microM) and showed similar excitatory activity in the rat cortical slice preparation. 4d did not show significant affinity for AMPA receptor sites, but turned out to be a weak N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist. However, like 4c,e, 4d did not significantly affect the binding of the competitive NMDA antagonist, [3H]CPP, or the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist, [3H]MK-801. None of the amino acids 4c-e showed detectable affinity for [3H]kainic acid binding sites. Like the parent compound 4a (IC50 = 0.18 microM), 4c (IC50 = 0.18 microM), 4e (IC50 = 0.14 microM), and in particular 4d (IC50 = 0.02 microM) were effective inhibitors of calcium chloride-dependent [3H]glutamic acid binding, whereas AMPA is inactive (IC50 greater than 100 microM) in this binding assay. Thus, 4d is an effective and highly selective inhibitor of calcium chloride-dependent [3H]glutamic acid binding and may be a useful tool for studies of the physiological relevance and pharmacological importance of this binding affinity.

Animals↗

The inhibition by valproic acid of the mitochondrial oxidation of monocarboxylic and omega-hydroxymonocarboxylic acids: possible implications for the metabolism of gamma-aminobutyric acid.

The interactions of 1-5 mM valproic acid with the hepatic fatty acid oxidation are here described. Valproic acid was not substrate for hepatic peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation. Its activation outside the mitochondrial matrix compartment was poor when compared to that of octanoic acid, a fatty acid containing the same number of carbones. Valproic acid did not inhibit the fatty acyl-CoA oxidase nor the cyanide-insensitive acyl-CoA oxidation. Valproic acid inhibited the mitochondrial oxidations of both long-chain monocarboxylyl-CoAs and omega-hydroxymonocarboxylyl-CoAs. Valproic acid prevented the oxidation by coupled mitochondria of decanoic and 10-hydroxydecanoic acids. Both butyric and 4-hydroxybutyric acids were oxidized by coupled mitochondria. These activities were abolished by preincubating the enzyme source with valproic acid. Administration to rats of 0.5% (w/w)- or 1% (w/w)-valproate containing diets were efficient in producing increased liver peroxisomal population and beta-oxidation. Preliminary investigations on the effects of valproic acid on mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation as a function of the animal used for the experiments pointed out an association of the protection of the mitochondrial process against the toxicity of the drug with enhanced carnitine acyltransferase and acyl-CoA hydrolase activities.

Animals↗