Gd-GLU toward NMR imaging: synthesis, characterization and breast cell uptake assay

Breast cancer cell uptake of Gd-metal is investigated based on the formation of coordinate compounds of gadolinium and glucose (Glu) molecules in solution. The hypothesis is that glucose helps Gd-internalization by complex formations constituted of Gd3+ coordinate to m-glucose molecules, whose valence was complemented by Cl- anions. Such a proposal is an insight toward a metabolic-dependent contrast-agent for cancer and inflammation in magnetic resonance image. A solution was prepared based on anhydrous d-glucose and gadolinium chloride (Gd-Glu). Uptake assays for MDA-MB-231(c231) cells were elaborated collecting incubated c231-cells with Gd-Glu and measuring metal-uptake and their concentrations by Nuclear Activation Analysis (NAA). The ionic solution was studied using Direct-Infusion Electrospray Ionization Mass-Spectrometry (ESI-MS) to identify Gd-Glu interactions. Means and standard deviations of Gd-masses were 13.3±0.8 and 12.5±0.7µg, at 361.5 µg of Gd in 3mL Gd-Glu/PBS solution, in times of 30-50 min, equivalent to the concentrations of 13404±2104 and 11347±2742 µg.g-1 in dried cells. Such values were statistically higher than the control with metal presence. ESI-MS demonstrated the m/z-signals at 516, 552, 696, 923, attributed to positively loaded-species containing Glu, Gd+3 and Cl-. In conclusion, Gd-internalization was increased in aqueous solution due to the gadolinium-glucose coordination. Such findings drive the research to MRI with Gd-Glu complexes.

Determination of metals in medicinal plants highly consumed in Brazil

In this work, samples of the medicinal plants: Boldo (Peumus boldus), Castanha da Índia (Aesculus hippocastanum), Chá Verde (Camelia sinensis), Erva Cidreira (Melissa officinalis), Espinheira Santa (Maytenus ilicifolia), Guaraná (Paullinia cupana), Maracujá (Passiflora sp.), Mulungu (Erythrina velutina), Sene (Cassia angustifolia) and Valeriana (Valeriana officinalis) were evaluated BY using the Neutron Activation Analysis technique (NAA- k0) in order to determine the levels of metals and other chemical contaminants. The results showed the presence of non essential elements to the human body. The diversity of chemical impurities found even at low concentration levels, considering the potential for chronic toxicity of these elements, reinforces the need to improve the implementation of good practices by growers and traders, and the hypothesis of lack of quality control in plant products.

Neste trabalho, amostras de Boldo (Peumus boldus), Castanha da Índia (Aesculus hippocastanum), Chá Verde (Camelia sinensis), Erva Cidreira (Melissa officinalis), Espinheira Santa (Maytenus ilicifolia), Guaraná (Paullinia cupana), Maracujá (Passiflora sp.), Mulungu (Erythrina velutina), Sene (Cassia angustifolia) e Valeriana (Valeriana officinalis) foram investigadas utilizando a técnica Análise por Ativação Neutrônica (AAN-k0), a fim de se determinar os teores de metais e outros elementos químicos contaminantes. Os resultados revelaram a presença de elementos não essenciais ao organismo humano. A diversidade de impurezas químicas encontradas, mesmo em níveis de baixa concentração, considerando o potencial de toxicidade crônica desses elementos, reforça a necessidade de melhorias na aplicação de boas práticas pelos produtores e comerciantes e a hipótese de falta de controle de qualidade nos produtos vegetais.