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Dietary alpha-linolenic acid suppresses the formation of lysophosphatidic acid, a lipid mediator, in rat platelets compared with linoleic acid.

Rats fed a high linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) diet or a high alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) diet for 4 months after weaning. Platelets from the high-LA group contained more arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) and less eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) compared with those from the high-ALA group. Incorporation of [32P]orthophosphate into platelet phospholipids was increased by thrombin-treatment, and was greater by ca. 30% in the high-LA group than in the high-ALA group both in the presence and absence of thrombin. The formation of [32P]lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a lipid messenger, in [32P]orthophosphate-labeled platelets was increased 6.6-fold in the high-LA group and 4.1-fold in the high-ALA-group by thrombin-treatment. The formation of [32P] LPA in activated platelets was reduced by 35% in the high-ALA group.

Animals↗

N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid lyase generates the sialic acid for colominic acid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli K1.

Colominic acid is a capsular homopolymer from Escherichia coli K1 composed of alpha (2-8)-linked N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid (NeuAc) residues. Recently, we have described that NeuAc synthesis in this bacterium occurs through the action of NeuAc lyase (EC 4.1.3.3) [ Rodríguez-Aparicio, Ferrero and Reglero (1995) Biochem. J.308, 501-505]. In the present work we analysed and characterized this enzyme. E. coli K1 NeuAc lyase is detected from the early logarithmic phase of growth, is induced by NeuAc and is not repressed by glucose. The enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity (312-fold) using two types of hydrophobic chromatographies (butyl-agarose and phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B), gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200, and anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-FPLC. The pure enzyme, whose amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acid sequence are also established, has a native molecular mass, estimated by gel filtration, of 135 +/- 3 kDa, whereas its molecular mass in SDS/PAGE was 33 +/- 1 kDa. The enzyme was able to synthesize and cleave NeuAc in a reversible reaction. The maximal rate of catalysis was achieved in 125 mM Tris/HCl buffer, pH 7.8, at 37 degrees C. Under these conditions, the K(m) values calculated for N-acetyl-D-mannosamine and pyruvate (condensation direction), and NeuAc (hydrolysis direction) were 7.7, 8.3 and 4.8 mM respectively. NeuAc synthesis by the pure enzyme was activated by Ca2+ and inhibited by Mn2+ and NeuAc, whereas the enzyme cleavage direction was inhibited by Ca2+, Mn2+ and pyruvate. The reaction products, NeuAc and pyruvate, and Ca2+ are able to regulate the direction of this enzyme (synthesis or cleavage of sialic acid) and, accordingly, to modulate colominic acid biosynthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of strongly acidic amino acids by the conventional amino acid analyzer: application to determination of protein-bound cysteine and glutathione.

A rapid analysis method of strongly acidic amino acids and related compounds by a simple modification of an existing amino acid analyzer is presented. In this method, an anion-exchanger column (2.6 X 150 mm) packed with Hitachi 3013-N resin was developed with 0.2 M citric acid. Complete separation of phosphothreonine, phosphoserine, phosphotyrosine, cysteic acid, homocysteic acid, and glutathionesulfonic acid was achieved within 35 min, with no regeneration of the column being required. Tyrosine-O-sulfate was analyzed by the same column using 2 M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.5. Performic acid oxidation of a variety of proteins and direct analysis of the products by this system successfully detected cysteine, homocysteine, and/or glutathione bound to proteins through disulfide bonds. This suggest the potential use of the method for analysis of the states of protein thiol groups, especially those of clinically significant mutant proteins where mutation of arginine to cysteine is rather frequently recognized.

Animals↗

Hepatoprotective bile acid 'ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)' Property and difference as bile acids.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a bile acid, which is present in human bile at a low concentration of only 3% of total bile acids. It is a 7beta-hydroxy epimer of the primary bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA). UDCA is isolated from the Chinese drug 'Yutan' a powder preparation derived from the dried bile of adult bears. For centuries, Yutan has been used in the treatment of hepatobiliary disorders. In Japan, it has also been in widespread use as a folk medicine from the mid-Edo period. In Japan, not only basic studies such as isolation, crystallization, definition of the chemical structure and establishment of the synthesis of UDCA have been conducted but clinical studies have been conducted. First reports on the effects of UDCA in patients with liver diseases came from Japan as early as 1961. In the 1970s, the first prospective study of patients with gallbladder stones treated with UDCA demonstrating gallstone dissolution was reported. In late 1980s, a number of controlled trials on the use of UDCA in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) were reported. Since then, a variety of clinical studies have shown the beneficial effect of UDCA in liver disease worldwide. To date, UDCA is utilized for the treatment of PBC for which it is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In recent years, with the advent of molecular tools, the mechanisms of action of bile acids and UDCA have been investigated, and various bioactivities and pharmacological effects have been revealed. Based on the results of these studies, the bioactive substances in bile acids that are involved in digestive absorption may play important roles in signal transduction pathways. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of UDCA is evidently involved. We reveal the physicochemical properties of UDCA as bile acid and overview the established pharmacological effects of UDCA from its metabolism. Furthermore, we overview the current investigations into the mechanism of action of UDCA in liver disease.

Journal Article↗

Retinobenzoic acids. 3. Structure-activity relationships of retinoidal azobenzene-4-carboxylic acids and stilbene-4-carboxylic acids.

Alkyl-substituted azobenzene-4-carboxylic acids are potent differentiation inducers of human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 to mature granulocytes. Their structure-activity relationships are very similar to those of other retinoidal benzoic acids which are generally represented by 4 and named retinobenzoic acids. The structure-activity relationships of azobenzenecarboxylic acids can also be applied to the known retinoid TTNPB (3). Thus, (E)-4-[2-(3,4-diisopropylphenyl)-1-propenyl]benzoic acid (St30 (28] and (E)-4-[2-(3-tert-butylphenyl)ethenyl]benzoic acid (St40 (29], the acyclic alkyl analogues of TTNPB, are nearly as active as retinoic acid. Among the oxidatively derived compounds (Az90, Ep series and Ox series) of azobenzene- or stilbenecarboxylic acids, Az90 (71) and Ep80 (61) have strong activities. However, all the bishydroxylated derivatives of TTNPB are inactive, while a diketo analogue Ox580 (69) has only weak potency. The activities of conformationally restricted compounds of TTNPB offer some information on the stereochemistry of the active form of these retinoidal compounds.

Benzoates↗

Reinitiation of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis by deoxyribonucleic acid initiation mutants of Escherichia coli: role of ribonucleic acid synthesis, protein synthesis, and cell division.

The dnaA and dnaC genes are thought to code for two proteins required for the initiation of chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid replication in Escherichia coli. When a strain carrying a mutation in either of these genes is shifted from a permissive to a restrictive temperature, chromosome replication ceases after a period of residual synthesis. When the strains are reincubated at the permissive temperature, replication again resumes after a short lag. This reinitiation does not require either protein synthesis (as measured by resistance to chloramphenicol) or ribonucleic acid synthesis (as measured by resistance to rifampin). Thus, if there is a requirement for the synthesis of a specific ribonucleic acid to initiate deoxyribonucleic acid replication, this ribonucleic acid can be synthesized prior to the time of initiation and is relatively stable. Furthermore, the synthesis of this hypothetical ribonucleic acid does not require either the dnaA of dnaC gene products. The buildup at the restrictive temperature of the potential to reinitiate deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis at the permissive temperature shows rather complex kinetics the buildup roughly parallels the rate of mass increase of the culture for at least the first mass doubling at the restrictive temperature. At later times there appears to be a gradual loss of initiation potential despite a continued increase in mass. Under optimal conditions the increase in initiation potential can equal, but not exceed, the increase in cell division at the restrictive temperature. These results are most easily interpreted according to models that postulate a relationship between the initiation of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and the processes leading to cell division.

Bacterial Proteins↗

15-Hydroperoxyeicosapentaenoic acid inhibits arachidonic acid metabolism in rabbit platelets more potently than eicosapentaenoic acid.

The effect of 15-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13,15-eicosapentaenoic acid (15-HPEPE), a hydroperoxy adduct of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), on the formation of 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), thromboxane (TX) B2 and 12-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT) from exogenous arachidonic acid in washed rabbit platelets was examined. 15-HPEPE inhibited 12-HETE, TXB2 and HHT formation at concentrations ranging from 2 to 8 microM. The inhibitory effect of 15-HPEPE was dose-dependent (12-HETE, 16.0-82.9% inhibition; TXB2, 16.7-57.2% inhibition; HHT, 4.6-52.0% inhibition). EPA inhibited the production of these three metabolites, but the inhibitory effect was kept low (20-100 microM: 12-HETE, 8.3-31.1% inhibition; TXB2, 18.9-49.5% inhibition; HHT, 12.5-41.7% inhibition) as compared with 15-HPEPE. Experiments utilizing 15-hydroxy-5,8,11,13,15-eicosapentaenoic acid and hydroxyl radical scavengers (dimethyl sulfoxide and mannitol) revealed that 15-HPEPE exerted its effect in the form of the hydroperoxy adduct. These results suggest that 15-HPEPE has the potential to modulate the activities of the cyclo-oxygenase and 12-lipoxygenase in platelets. This may also be one convincing mechanism for the anti-thrombotic and anti-atherosclerotic actions of EPA.

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗

Low C18 to C20 fatty acid elongase activity and limited conversion of stearidonic acid, 18:4(n-3), to eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5(n-3), in a cell line from the turbot, Scophthalmus maximus.

The TF cell line, derived from a top predatory, carnivorous marine teleost, the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), is known to have a limited conversion of C18 to C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). To illuminate the underlying processes, we studied the conversions of stearidonic acid, 18:4(n-3), and its elongation product, 20:4(n-3), in TF cells and also in a cell line, AS, derived from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), by adding unlabelled (25 microM), U-14C (1 microM) or deuterated (d5; 25 microM) fatty acids. Stearidonic acid, 18:4(n-3), was metabolised to 20:5(n-3) in both cells lines, but more so in AS than in TF cells. Delta5 desaturation was more active in TF cells than in AS cells, whereas C18 to C20 elongation was much reduced in TF as compared to AS cells. Only small amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6(n-3)) were produced by both cell lines, although there was significant production of 22:5(n-3) in both cultures, especially when 20:4(n-3) was supplemented. We conclude that limited elongation of C18 to C20 fatty acids rather than limited fatty acyl Delta5 desaturation accounts for the limited rate of conversion of 18:3(n-3) to 20:5(n-3) in the turbot cell line, as compared to the Atlantic salmon cell line. The results can account for the known differences in conversions of C18 to C20 PUFA by the turbot and the Atlantic salmon in vivo.

Acetyltransferases↗

Identification of a glutamic acid and an aspartic acid residue essential for catalytic activity of aspergillopepsin II, a non-pepsin type acid proteinase.

Aspergillopepsin II from Aspergillus niger var. macrosporus is a non-pepsin type or pepstatin-insensitive acid proteinase. To identify the catalytic residues of the enzyme, all acidic residues that are conserved in the homologous proteinases of family A4 were replaced with Asn, Gln, or Ala using site-directed mutagenesis. The wild-type and mutant pro-enzymes were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and refolded in vitro. The wild-type pro-enzyme was shown to be processed into a two-chain active enzyme under acidic conditions. Most of the recombinant mutant pro-enzymes showed significant activity under acidic conditions because of autocatalytic activation except for the D123N, D123A, E219Q, and E219A mutants. The D123A, E219Q, and E219A mutants showed neither enzymatic activity nor autoprocessing activity under acidic conditions. The circular dichroism spectra of the mutant pro- and mature enzymes were essentially the same as those of the wild-type pro- and mature enzyme, respectively, indicating that the mutant pro-enzymes were correctly folded. In addition, two single and one double mutant pro-enzyme, D123E, E219D, and D123E/E219D, did not show enzymatic activity under acidic conditions. Taken together, Glu-219 and Asp-123 are deduced to be the catalytic residues of aspergillopepsin II.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Faecal bile acid loss and bile acid pool size during short-term treatment with ursodeoxycholic and chenodeoxycholic acid in patients with radiolucent gallstones.

Twelve non-obese patients with radiolucent gallstones were fed on a standard diet. After 10 days (period A), six patients received 15 mg/kg/day of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (group I) and the other six (group II) the same dose of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) for 15 days (period B). An intravenous injection of 20 micro Ci of 14C-UDCA and of 14C-CDCA was given on the 11th day of period B to the patients of group I and II respectively. Stools were collected at the end of period A and B and one bile sample was collected on the 12th day of period B. The faecal bile acid loss was higher during chenotherapy (36.12 mumol/kg/day) than during ursotherapy (23.94 mumol/kg/day), as was the proportion of lithocholic acid (73% vs 43%) in the faeces. Decay constant rate of faecal radioactivity was 0.365 day-1 in group I and 0.642 in group II. The results indicate that faecal bile acid excretion and turnover rate are greater during CDCA than UDCA, while UDCA increases the bile acid pool size to an even greater extent than does CDCA (150.2 vs 94.9 mumol/kg). This is probably because the former is more slowly degraded to poorly reabsorbable compounds. In fact, the bile saturation index was 0.66 in group I and 1.05 in group II, even though biliary CDCA in the latter had risen to 69.6%.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

p-Aminobenzoic acid and its metabolite p-acetamidobenzoic acid inhibit agonist-induced aggregation and arachidonic acid-induced [Ca2+]i transients in human platelets.

We have previously found that the naturally occurring amine p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) inhibits the thrombin-induced thromboxane B2 production in human platelets. In this report we show that PABA and its acetylated metabolite p-acetamidobenzoic acid (PACBA) inhibit platelet aggregation induced by agonists such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and arachidonic acid (AA). Both substances were equipotent to acetylsalicylic acid regarding inhibition of ADP-induced aggregation and approximately 50% as potent as acetylsalicylic acid regarding arachidonic acid-induced aggregation. Although not significantly inhibiting collagen aggregation, PABA and PACBA reduced the concomitant adenosine triphosphate (ATP) secretion by approximately 30 and 20%, respectively. The antiaggregatory effect does not seem to be mediated through cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) increase because in our experiments PABA and PACBA did not significantly affect cAMP levels. However, we have found that PABA and PACBA inhibit the intracellular aequorin indicated Ca2+ transient upon arachidonic acid stimulation. Our results describe a hitherto unknown effect of PABA and PACBA on platelet aggregation.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid↗

Delignification of maize stems by peroxymonosulfuric acid, peroxyformic acid, peracetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide. 1. Physicochemical and structural characterization of the solubilized lignins.

Water-treated maize stems were subjected to delignification with peroxymonosulfuric acid at 20 degrees C for 144 h, with peroxyformic acid at 80 degrees C for 6 h, with peracetic acid at 50 degrees C for 6 h, and with 2% hydrogen peroxide at 45 degrees C for 12 h at pH 1.5, 4.4, 9.5, 11.5, 12.0, and 12.6, respectively, which solubilized 47.1, 91.3, 33.3, 16.6, 15.9, 17.4, 86.2, 87.7, and 91. 3% of the original lignin, respectively. Substantial lignins were released during the treatment with peroxyformic acid and hydrogen peroxide at pH > or =11.5, whereas an insignificant effect on delignification was observed by using peroxymonosulfuric acid, peracetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide under acidic, natural, and weakly alkaline media conditions. The structures of the isolated lignin preparations were investigated by chemical analysis, gel permeation chromatography, and UV, FT-IR, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy.

Formates↗

Reaction of unsaturated uronic acid residues with mercuric salts. Cleavage of the hyaluronic acid disaccharide 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(beta-D-gluco-4-enepyranosyluronic acid)-D-glucose.

Degradation of connective-tissue polysaccharides with bacterial or fungal eliminases and subsequent characterization of the reaction products are now part of standard methodology for the analysis of these compounds. However, the scope of preparative and analytical work based on the use of eliminases has been limited by the lack of procedures for specific removal of the unsaturated uronic acid residues generated in the eliminase reactions. In the present investigation, we have shown that these residues are cleaved by mercuric salts under mild conditions that are not likely to affect other structures in an oligo- or poly-saccharide molecule. Thus the disaccharide generated from hyaluronic acid by digestion with chondroitinase AC or ABC was cleaved into a keto acid and free N-acetylglucosamine within 10 min at room temperature upon exposure to 14 mM-mercuric acetate at pH 5. The reaction of the disaccharide with mercuric salts was used for ready determination of the distribution of radioactivity between the glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine moieties in radioactive hyaluronic acid that had been synthesized by IMR-90 fibroblasts from 3H-labelled monosaccharides. When the precursor was [3H]galactose, over 95% of the incorporated radioactivity was found in the glucuronic acid moiety. In contrast, cells grown in the presence of [3H]glucosamine synthesized a polysaccharide in which almost all of the label was located in the N-acetylglucosamine units. It is apparent from these experiments that the reaction of unsaturated uronic acid residues with mercuric salts provides a new tool with potential for many applications in the study of the structure and metabolism of connective-tissue polysaccharides.

Cell Line↗

Peroxisome proliferation and modulation of rat liver carcinogenesis by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid and nafenopin.

Using an initiation--selection--promotion protocol for induction of liver tumors in Wistar rats, the modulating action of various peroxisome proliferators on neoplasia as well as on selected biochemical parameters was studied. After treatment with diethylnitrosamine (DEN), the animals were subsequently subjected to a selection procedure involving feeding of 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF), and in the middle of the 2-AAF treatment, a single necrogenic dose of carbon tetrachloride. Following a recovery period, the rats were fed a diet containing 0.1% nafenopin (NAF), 0.015% perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 0.05% 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 0.05% 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) or 0.05% phenobarbital (PB) as a positive control. When the animals were killed, 7 months after initiation, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was 83, 33 and 16% in the animals treated with NAF, PFOA or 2,4,5-T respectively. No cancers were observed in controls, or in the 2,4,-D groups. In comparison with controls, NAF and PFOA caused a 60-and 24-fold increase inthe peroxisomal beta-oxidation of fatty acids respectively, but only about a 2-fold increase in the catalase activity, 2,4-D and/or 2,4,5-T were much less active in this respect, giving approximately a doubling in the rate of fatty acid oxidation. The specific activity of D-amino acid and glycolate oxidases were significantly depressed, whereas the urate oxidase levels were apparently unaffected by the NAF and PFOA treatment. The results suggest that the selective induction of peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation is consistent with the hypothesis that imbalance between H2O2 overproduction and its destruction could play a role in the modulation of hepatocarcinogenesis by peroxisome proliferators.

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Simultaneous determination by GC-MS-SIM of o-, m-, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 3:4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid in biological samples using a common selected ion.

A GC-MS-SIM method is described for the simultaneous determination of five acid metabolites, o-, m-, and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 3:4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid in biological samples using a common selected ion for all the acids. The TMS ethers of methyl or ethyl esters of these compounds have a common ion at m/e 179 which is used for their quantitation by selected ion monitoring. The molecular ion at m/e 238 of the three monohydroxy phenylacetic acids, which is also the M-30 ion for homovanillic acid, is also used for their quantitation. The GC conditions for their separation, the relative sensitivities and some advantages of TMS ethers over other derivatives are described. The application of this method to biological samples is illustrated by data on human urine and plasma.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Further characterization of the peroxisomal 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenases from rat liver. Relationship between the different dehydrogenases and evidence that fatty acids and the C27 bile acids di- and tri-hydroxycoprostanic acids are metabolized by separate multifunctional proteins.

Recently, we purified five 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenases from isolated rat liver peroxisomal fractions. The enzymes were designated I-V according to their order of elution from the first column used in the purification procedure. Determination of the substrate (L- or D-hydroxyacyl-CoA) stereo-specificity and (de)hydratase measurements with the different 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA stereoisomers of straight-chain fatty acids and the bile acid intermediate trihydroxycoprostanic acid, immunoblotting analysis with antibodies raised against the different enzymes and peptide sequencing, all performed on enzymes I-V and molecular cloning of enzyme III revealed the following picture. Rat liver peroxisomes contain two multifunctional beta-oxidation proteins: (a) multifunctional protein 1 (the classical multifunctional protein; MFP-1) displaying 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase, L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase and delta 3, delta 2-enoyl-CoA isomerase activity (enzyme IV) and (b) multifunctional protein 2 (MFP-2) displaying 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase and D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity (enzyme III). Because of their substrate stereospecificity and because of the stereochemical configuration of the naturally occurring beta-oxidation intermediates, MFP-1 and MFP-2 appear to be involved in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids and bile acids intermediates, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cloned MFP-2 cDNA is highly similar to that of the recently described porcine endometrial estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase [Leenders, F., Adamski, J., Husen, B., Thole, H. H. & Jungblut, P. W. (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 222, 221-227]. In agreement, MFP-2 also displayed estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase activity, indicating that MFP-2 and the steroid dehydrogenase are identical enzymes. MFP-2 is partially cleaved, most probably in vivo, in a estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase/D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase that forms a dimeric complex (enzyme I) and a hydratase. The physiological significance of enzyme I in bile acid synthesis (and steroid metabolism) remains to be determined. MFP-1 (enzyme IV) is artefactually cleaved during purification giving rise to 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase V. 3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase II is a mitochondrial contaminant similar to porcine and murine mitochondrial 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase.

3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenases↗

The estimation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid and homo-isovanillic acid in nervous tissue by gas-liquid chromatography and electron capture detection.

1 A gas chromatographic method using electron capture detection is described for the estimation of three acidic metabolites of dopamine, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid (homovanillic acid, HVA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenylacetic acid (homo-isovanillic acid, iso-HVA). The method is based on the formation of the trifluoroacetyl-hexafluoroisopropyl derivatives of the three acids. 2 The method has been applied to the estimation of DOPAC, HVA and iso-HVA in tissues from the central and peripheral nervous systems.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Acid and non-acid reflux in patients with persistent symptoms despite acid suppressive therapy: a multicentre study using combined ambulatory impedance-pH monitoring.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Empiric proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trials have become increasingly popular leading to gastroenterologists frequently evaluating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) patients only after they have "failed" PPI therapy. Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII-pH) monitoring has the ability to detect gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) episodes independent of their pH and evaluate the relationship between symptoms and all types of GOR. Using this technique, we aimed to characterise the frequency of acid and non-acid reflux (NAR) and their relationship to typical and atypical GOR symptoms in patients on PPI therapy. METHODS: Patients with persistent GORD symptoms referred to three centres underwent 24 hour combined MII-pH monitoring while taking PPIs at least twice daily. Reflux episodes were detected by impedance channels located 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, and 17 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) and classified into acid or non-acid based on pH data from 5 cm above the LOS. A positive symptom index (SI) was declared if at least half of each specific symptom events were preceded by reflux episodes within five minutes. RESULTS: A total of 168 patients (103 (61%) females and 65 (39%) males; mean age 53 (range 18-85) years) underwent combined MII-pH monitoring while taking PPIs at least twice daily. One hundred and forty four (86%) patients recorded symptoms during the study day and 24 (15%) patients had no symptoms during testing. Sixty nine (48%) symptomatic patients had a positive SI for at least one symptom (16 (11%) with acid reflux and 53 (37%) with NAR) and 75 (52%) had a negative SI. A total of 171 (57%) typical GORD symptoms were recorded, 19 (11%) had a positive SI for acid reflux, 52 (31%) for NAR, and 100 (58%) had a negative SI. One hundred and thirty one (43%) atypical symptoms were recorded, four (3%) had a positive SI for acid reflux, 25 (19%) had a positive SI for NAR, and 102 (78%) had a negative SI. CONCLUSION: Combined MII-pH identifies the relation of reflux of all types to persistent symptoms and the importance of NAR in patients taking PPIs.

Adolescent↗