Heavy Metals and 2, 4-Dinitrophenol Impact on Some Physiological and Biochemical Parameters in Capsicum Species

Abstract The accumulation of heavy metals and of pesticides in the soil have a negative impact on Capsicum chinense var. Aji Mochero and Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum Bishop's Crown species, the present work highlighting the exerted influence on the superoxid-dismutase activity, catalase and peroxidase - as enzymes implied in the removal of H2O2, of O2- radical and of ion HO- that have devastating effects on the vegetable cell, on the Krebs cycle's dehydrogenases - as main way to produce energy, respectively of the chlorophyll a, b and carotenes - as photoassimilatory pigments, but also as biologic antioxidants.

Pruebas bioquímicas para la detección de metabolitos producidos en los errores innatos del metabolismo / Biochemical tests for the detection of metabolites produced in inborn errors of metabolism / Provas bioquímicas para a detecção de metabólitos produzidos nos erros inatos do metabolismo

Los errores innatos del metabolismo (EIM) son más de 550 enfermedades en las que se presenta una deficiencia o ausencia de proteínas con actividad enzimática, transportadora, receptora o estructural. Cada una de estas enfermedades es rara, pero su gran variedad hace que, consideradas en conjunto, sean la principal patología neonatal. Para la detección de los metabolitos producidos en los EIM se pueden utilizar pruebas cualitativas. Su utilidad radica en que son muy rápidas y de fácil acceso, y en que sirven como pruebas presuntivas para proceder a hacer exámenes más especializados o para enfocar el diagnóstico. Teniendo en cuenta su importancia para un diagnóstico temprano de los EIM, el objetivo del presente artículo es describir el funcionamiento de las pruebas bioquímicas de resorcinol, dinitrofenilhidrazina, nitrosonaftol, nitroprusiato y Hoesch, haciendo énfasis en los metabolitos que detectan.

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are more than 550 diseases in which there is a deficiency or absence of proteins with enzymatic, transporter, receptor or structural activity. Individually these diseases are rare, but because of their wide variety they are, considered together, the largest neonatal disease. To detect metabolites produced in IEM qualitative tests can be used. They are easily accessible and fast to carry out, and serve as presumptive elements before proceeding to more specialized tests or to focus diagnosis. Given their importance for the early diagnosis of IEM, this article aims to describe the functioning of the following biochemical tests: dinitrophenylhydrazine, resorcinol, nitrosonaphtol, nitroprusside and Hoesch, emphasizing in the metabolites that they detect.

Os erros inatos do metabolismo (EIM) são mais de 550 doenças nas que se apresenta uma deficiência ou ausência de proteínas com atividade enzimática, transportadora, receptora ou estrutural. Cada uma destas doenças é rara, mas sua grande variedade faz que, consideradas em conjunto, sejam a principal patologia neonatal. Para a detecção dos metabólitos produzidos nos EIM se podem utilizar provas qualitativas. Sua utilidade radica em que são muito rápidas e de fácil acesso, e em que servem como provas presuntivas para proceder a fazer exames mais especializados ou para enfocar o diagnóstico. Tendo em conta sua importância para um diagnóstico precoce dos EIM, o objetivo do presente artigo é descrever o funcionamento das provas bioquímicas de resorcinol, dinitrofenilhidrazina, nitrosonaftol, nitroprusiato e Hoesch, fazendo ênfases nos metabólitos que detectam.

Paradoxo do cálcio - o que temos a temer? / The calcium paradox - What should we have to fear?

O paradoxo do cálcio foi pela primeira vez citado em 1966 por Zimmerman et al. A partir daí, ganhou grande interesse por parte da comunidade científica internacional devido ao fato da ausência do íon cálcio produzir na célula muscular cardíaca dano semelhante à lesão de isquemia-reperfusão. Apesar de não serem conhecidos todos os mecanismos envolvidos no processo da lesão celular no paradoxo do cálcio, a conexão intercelular mantida somente pelo nexus parece ter papel chave na fragmentação celular. A adição de pequenas concentrações de cálcio, bloqueadores de canal de cálcio, hiponatremia ou hipotermia são importantes para evitar que haja lesão celular no momento da reperfusão com soluções com concentração fisiológica de cálcio.

The calcium paradox was first mentioned in 1966 by Zimmerman et al. Thereafter gained great interest from the scientific community due to the fact of the absence of calcium ions in heart muscle cells produce damage similar to ischemia-reperfusion. Although not all known mechanisms involved in cellular injury in the calcium paradox intercellular connection maintained only by nexus seems to have a key role in cellular fragmentation. The addition of small concentrations of calcium, calcium channel blockers, and hyponatraemia hypothermia are important to prevent any cellular damage during reperfusion solutions with physiological concentration of calcium.

Effects of aegeline, a main alkaloid of aegle marmelos correa leaves, on the histamine release from mast cells

Aegeline or 7V-[2-hydroxy-2[4-methoxyphenyl] ethyl]-3-phenyl-2-propenamide is a main alkaloid isolated from Aegle marmelos Correa collected in Yogyakarta Indonesia. In our study, we investigated the effects of aegeline on the histamine release from mast cell. The study was performed by using [1] rat basophilic leukemia [RBL-2H3] cell line, and [2] rat peritoneal mast cells [RPMCs]. DNP[2]4-BSA, thapsigargin, ionomycin, compound 48/80 and PMA were used as inducers for histamine release from mast cell. In our study, aegeline inhibited the histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells induced by DNP24-BSA. Indeed, aegeline showed strong inhibition when RBL-2H3 cells induced by Ca[2+] stimulants such as thapsigargin and ionomycin. Aegeline is suggested to influence the intracellular Ca[2+] pool only since could not inhibit the [45]Ca[2+] influx into RBL-2H3 cells. Aegeline showed weak inhibitory effects on the histamine release from RPMCs, even though still succeed to inhibit when the histamine release induced by thapsigargin. These findings indicate that aegeline altered the signaling pathway related to the intracellular Ca[2+] pool in which thapsigargin acts. Based on the results, the inhibitory effects ofaegeYme on the histamine release from mast cells depended on the type of mast cell and also involved some mechanisms related to intracellular Ca[2+] signaling events via the same target of the action of thapsigargin or downstream process of intracellular Ca[2+] signaling in mast cells

Effect of Gamiseunggal-Tang on immediate type allergic reaction in mice.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The herbal formulation, Gamiseunggal-Tang (G-Tang) has long been used for various allergic diseases. The mechanism of its action is largely unknown. We carried out this study to determine the effect of G-Tang on the mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions in vivo and in vitro murine models. METHODS: In this study, the effects of G-Tang on the mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions were examined by using the ear swelling, histamine assay, and ELISA method in murine model. RESULTS: Anal administration of G-Tang showed dose-dependent inhibitory activity on the compound 48/80-induced ear swelling response (P<0.05) and histamine release (P<0.01). G-Tang (0.001-0.1 g/kg) significantly inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (P<0.05) in mice. The production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was also significantly inhibited (about 47.4%, at 0.1 mg/ml, P<0.01) by treatment of G-tang in anti-dinitrophenyl IgE antibodystimulated mast cells. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Findings of our study showed that G-Tang inhibited immediate type allergic reaction in a murine model and may be beneficial in the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases.

Effect of pH and sodium ions on intestinal uptake of lysine in rats.

Intestinal uptake of lysine in rats progressively decreased with an increase in pH from 5.2 to 8.5, both in the presence and absence of Na+ ions. At pH 5.2 lysine uptake was 30-35% more than that at neutral pH. Na+ activated lysine uptake by 40-50% at pH 5.2 and it was increased to 110-120% at neutral pH. The observed increase in lysine uptake in response to Na+ and H+ gradients was due to enhanced maximal velocity (Vmax), with little change in affinity constant (Kt). Arrhenius analysis revealed a biphasic curve for lysine uptake with transition temperature (Tc) around 20 degrees C (24 degrees C at pH 5.2 in presence of Na+). The energy of activation (Ea) below (16.1-23.4 Kcal/mole) and above (6.7-8.6 Kcal/mole) the Tc was similar at pH 5.2 and 7.0 both in the presence and absence of Na+ ions. The sensitivity of lysine uptake to various inhibitors was also dependent upon pH and Na+ ions.

Factors affecting biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol in soil

A comparative study for biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol in clay and sandy soil was performed. The extent of microbial degradation of such chemical was higher in clay soil than in sandy soil samples. Degradation rate in both sandy and clay soils was mainly dependent on the moisture content of soil, incubation temperature, and on the concentration of the added 2,4-dinitrophenol. Moreover, addition of glucose as an organic nutrient to either clay or sandy soil samples did affect the extent of microbial degradation, the size of population degrades in clay soils was 4 times compared to that of sandy soil samples, where the degrading bacteria were counted by the MPN method. The degrading bacteria were mainly Bacillus species and gram negative rods

Post-metaphase mitotic events in cells treated with dinitrophenol.

The sequence of post-metaphase mitotic events, such as anaphase movement A and B, chromosome decondensation, nuclear envelope reformation and cytokinesis, has been studied in 2,4-initrophenol (DNP)-treated HeLa cells. The effects of DNP were found to be dose dependent and at concentrations higher than 3 mM, both anaphase A and B movements were totally and nearly instantaneously arrested. It could be shown that cytokinesis did not depend on the completion of anaphase movements. This was also true for nuclear envelope reformation which could take place even around condensed chromosomes arrested in anaphase. The post-metaphase mitotic events do not follow a strict causal sequence, but they can be dissociated from each other in anaphase-arrested cells.

Immunopharmacological studies on Picrorhiza kurroa Royle-ex-Benth. Part IV: Cellular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory action.

In this work abroagation of anti-inflammatory effect of Picrorhiza kurroa extract (PK) by beta-adrenergic blockade was confirmed, which suggests alteration in cell-surface biology by PK treatment. Blockade of protein synthesis by cycloheximide pretreatment reduced PK effect, suggesting protein mediation. Metabolic inhibitor dinitrophenol inhibited inflammatory cedema equally in control and PK treated animals, and masking of PK effect was concluded. Discriminations of anti-inflammatory mechanism(s) of PK and the latter two cytotoxic agents was inferred from these observations and from existing knowledge. Selective PK influence on membrane linked activation events in inflammatory effector cells could be the basis of anti-inflammatory and perhaps other biological activities reported with the herb.

Determinación del pH intracelular por distribución de ácido benzoico en S. cerevisiae, transporte de aminoácidos y gradiente de protones / Determination of internal pH of S. cerevisiae from the distribution of benzoic acid: amino acids transport and proton gradient

El (pHi) de Saccjaromyces cerevisiae, cepa silvestre y su mutante rhose determinó por el método de distribución intra-extracelilar del ácido 14C-benzoico. Los valores de pHi obtenidos (con un pH externo de 4,5) variarón con la depa de levadura y dependieron de las condiciones metabólicas de las mismas. En células de la cepa silvestre, energizada por incubación previa con glucosa 5 mM, el pHi osció entre 6,15-6,40 y el gradiente de protones a través de la membrana deltapH entre 1,65-1,90 ó -97 a -112 mV. Esos valores fueron mayores que los de células ayunadas: pHi 5,90, deltapH 1,40 ó -82 mV. En esas dos condiciones metabólicas, los valores en la mutante rho- fueron algo menores que en la cepa silvestre; levadura rho- energizada pHi 6,05, deltapH 1,55 ó -91 mV; levadura rho- ayunada pHi 5,70, deltapH 1,20 ó -71 mV. Los protonófros DNP y PCP produjeron una disminución del pHi del deltapH y una inhibición de la entrada de L-leucina por los sistemas S1, alta afinidad y baja velocidad y S2, baja afinidad y alta velocidad. Los valores de la disminución del deltapH y la inhibición del transporte de L-leucina obtenidos indican que no hay una relación estricta entre el deltapH y el proceso de transporte