Electron Spin Resonance Dosimetry Studies of Irradiated Sulfite Salts.

The study of new materials for radiation dosimetry is important to improve the present state of the art and to help in cases of accidents for retrospective dosimetry. Sulfites are compounds that contain a sulfur ion, widely used in the food industry. Due to the significant application of these compounds, sulfites are interesting candidates for accidental dosimetry, as fortuitous radiation detectors. The presence of the SO3- anion enables its detection by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The Dose-Response behavior, signal stability and other spectral features were investigated for sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfite, all in crystalline forms. The ESR spectrum of salts presented stability and proportional response with dose, presenting potential for dosimetry applications.

Complete assignments of (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral data for 7,7'-dihydroarylnaphthalene lignan lactones.

In this article we present a complete (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral analysis of three 7,7'-dihydroarylnaphthalene lignan lactones using modern NMR techniques such as COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOE experiments. Complete assignment and homonuclear hydrogen coupling constant measurements were performed.

Structural basis of GC-1 selectivity for thyroid hormone receptor isoforms.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid receptors, TRalpha and TRbeta, are involved in important physiological functions such as metabolism, cholesterol level and heart activities. Whereas metabolism increase and cholesterol level lowering could be achieved by TRbeta isoform activation, TRalpha activation affects heart rates. Therefore, beta-selective thyromimetics have been developed as promising drug-candidates for treatment of obesity and elevated cholesterol level. GC-1 [3,5-dimethyl-4-(4'-hydroxy-3'-isopropylbenzyl)-phenoxy acetic acid] has ability to lower LDL cholesterol with 600- to 1400-fold more potency and approximately two- to threefold more efficacy than atorvastatin (Lipitor(c)) in studies in rats, mice and monkeys. RESULTS: To investigate GC-1 specificity, we solved crystal structures and performed molecular dynamics simulations of both isoforms complexed with GC-1. Crystal structures reveal that, in TRalpha Arg228 is observed in multiple conformations, an effect triggered by the differences in the interactions between GC-1 and Ser277 or the corresponding asparagine (Asn331) of TRbeta. The corresponding Arg282 of TRbeta is observed in only one single stable conformation, interacting effectively with the ligand. Molecular dynamics support this model: our simulations show that the multiple conformations can be observed for the Arg228 in TRalpha, in which the ligand interacts either strongly with the ligand or with the Ser277 residue. In contrast, a single stable Arg282 conformation is observed for TRbeta, in which it strongly interacts with both GC-1 and the Asn331. CONCLUSION: Our analysis suggests that the key factors for GC-1 selectivity are the presence of an oxyacetic acid ester oxygen and the absence of the amino group relative to T3. These results shed light into the beta-selectivity of GC-1 and may assist the development of new compounds with potential as drug candidates to the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and obesity.

Complete assignments of (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral data for arylnaphthalene lignan lactones.

In this work we describe the complete (1)H and (13)C NMR analyses of three arylnaphtalene lignan lactones (taiwanin C, 4-methyl dehydroretrodendrin and justicidin B) using modern NMR techniques such as gCOSY, nonedited gHSQC, gHMBC and NOE experiments. Complete assignment and homonuclear hydrogen coupling constant measurements were performed.

In vitro and in vivo activity of lignan lactones derivatives against Trypanosoma cruzi.

The trypanocidal effect of six lignan lactones, (-)-cubebin (1), (-)-O-methyl cubebin (2), (-)-O-benzyl cubebin (3), (-)-6,6'-dinitrohinokinin (4), (-)-hinokinin (5) and dimethoxymorelensin (6), previously synthesized by our research group, was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The compounds with higher anti-epimastigote activity were screened against intracellular amastigote of Trypanosoma cruzi. Among these, compound 5 was selected to be assayed in vivo. It was observed that compounds 5, 6 and 2 showed higher trypanocidal activity against epimastigote forms of T. cruzi, displaying inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values of 0.67, 3.89 and 31.35 muM, respectively. These compounds were also evaluated against intracellular amastigote forms of T. cruzi, with five displaying similar activity to benznidazole. In vivo assays showed significant reduction of parasitaemia after administration of five in mice infected.

Analysis of a cycloheptenone derivative: an experimental and theoretical approach.

A detailed analysis with total assignment of (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral data for a cycloheptenone derivative, a key intermediate for the synthesis of perhydroazulene terpenoids, is related. These assignments are based on 1D (1)H and (13)C NMR and on 2D NMR techniques including gCOSY, gHSQC, gHMBC, J-resolved and NOEDIF experiments. The unequivocal assignments were supported by theoretical chemical shifts and scalar coupling constant calculations at GIAO B3LYP/cc-pVDZ level from optimized structures at the same level of theory.

Detailed 1H and 13C NMR structural assignment of three biologically active lignan lactones.

In this paper we present a complete 1H and 13C NMR spectral analysis of three lignan lactones (methylpluviatolide, dimethylmatairesinol and hinokinin) by the use of techniques such as COSY, HMQC, HMBC and J-resolved. Complete assignment and all homonuclear hydrogen coupling constant measurements were performed, providing enough data also to the confirmation of the relative stereochemistry.

Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR spectral data for benzylidenebenzyl butyrolactone lignans.

The structures of three benzylidenebenzyl butyrolactone lignans (gossypifan, carthamogenin, and savinin) have been established on basis of 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic data. The 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of these lignans have been fully assigned by the use of techniques such as gCOSY, non-edited gHSQC, and gHMBC. Complete assignment and most homonuclear hydrogen coupling constant measurements were performed, also providing enough data for the determination of the relative stereochemistry.

Complete assignment of 1H and 13C NMR data for three aryltetralin lignan lactones.

We describe the complete 1H and 13C NMR analysis of three aryltetralin lignan lactones (polygamain, morelensin and 4,5-dimethoxymorelensin) using modern NMR techniques such as COSY, HMQC, HMBC, 2D-J-resolved and NOE experiments. The relative stereochemistry of these compounds, which is very important with regard to their biological activity, was completely determined.

A short and efficient synthesis of crocetin-dimethylester and crocetindial.

In this paper we describe an efficient six-step synthesis of crocetin-dimethylester that could be further reduced to a "four-step" synthesis through the use of in situ procedures. The simplicity of the whole process, the ready availability of starting materials, and the high overall yield render this strategy a very attractive synthesis of this very important compound, which is the key intermediate for the synthesis of several carotenoids and other polyene natural products.