Dynamics of cytochrome c oxidase activity in acute ischemic stroke.

We have investigated the dynamics of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the erythrocyte haemolysate (EH) in 85 patients suffering from brain infarction (BI), reversible (RIA), or transient (TIA) ischemic attack from the perspective of mitochondrial affection in ischemia. In all patients, the COX activity was decreased in the CSF, especially within the first two days, indicating an acute inactivation or modification of mitochondrial proteins, probably mediated by free radicals. The gradual elevation of COX activity until the seventh day suggested that these changes may be reversible. The increase in the COX activity was established in the EH, with the highest values found in the BI, somewhat lower in the RIA, and the lowest in the TIA group, respectively. This could indicate a systemic compensatory response to an acute ischemia. Thus, COX activity in the CSF and EH in acute ischemia could be an indicator of brain metabolic dysfunction.

Natural monocrystalline pyrite as a sensor in non-aqueous solution Part I: Potentiometric titration of weak acids in, N,N-dimethylformamide, methylpyrrolidone and pyridine.

The possibility of applying natural monocrystaline pyrite as a sensor for the potentiometric titration of weak acids in N,N-dimethylformamide, methylpyrrolidone and pyridine was investigated. The potential of this electrode in N,N-dimethylformamide, methylpyrrolidone and pyridine exhibits a sub-Nernst dependence. In N,N-dimethylformamide the slope (mV/pH) is 39.0 and in methylpyrrolidone it is 45.0. The potential jumps at the titration end-point obtained in the titration of weak acids are higher than those obtained by the application of a glass electrode as the indicator electrode The potential in the course of the titration and at the titration end-point (TEP) are rapidly established. Sodium methylate, potassium hydroxide and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) proved to be very suitable titrating agents for these titrations. The results obtained in the determination of the investigated weak acids deviate by 0.1-0.35% with respect to those obtained by using a glass electrode as the indicator electrode.

Coulometric generation of hydrogen ions by oxidation of mercury in methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone.

Mercury(II)-chloride reacts with anhydrous methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone in a precise stoichiometry ratio (1:2), and weakly ionized compounds of mercury with ketones are formed and equivalent quantity of HCl is released. The application of a mercury anode for the quantitative generation of H(+) ions in 0.25 M sodium perchlorate in anhydrous methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone has been investigated. Current/potentials curves for the solvents, titrated bases, indicator and mercury showed that in these solvents mercury is oxidized at potentials much more negative than those for the titrated bases and other components present in the solution. The protons generated in this way have been used for the titration of some organic bases, with either visual or potentiometric end-point detection. The oxidation of mercury in methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone and the reaction of mercury ions with these solvents have been found to proceed with 100% current efficiency.

Oxidative damage and metabolic dysfunction in experimental Huntington's disease: selective vulnerability of the striatum and hippocampus.

The etiology of neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease (HD), is still unknown. There could be a complex interplay between altered energy metabolism, excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. Unilateral administration of quinilonic acid (QA), NMDA agonist, in rat striatum in a single dose of 150 nM was used as a model of HD. The other two groups of animals were pretreated immediately before QA application with nerve growth factor (NGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF), respectively. Control group was treated with 0.9% NaCl in the same manner. Content of total glutathione was not altered in the striatum and hippocampus of QA-treated animals, as well as in the groups pretreated with neurotrophic factors (NF), compared to controls. Content of reduced glutathione, a key antioxidant, was mutually depleted in the striatum and hippocampus of each experimental group. The reduced/total glutathione ratio was decreased in the QA-treated animals, but nearby or over the controls in each structure of the NF-treated groups. These results support the hypothesis that oxygen-free radicals contribute to the excitotoxic neuronal injury, and also that NF could be the potential neuroprotective agents in HD. Moreover, activity of cytochrome c oxidase, the last component in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, was mutually increased in each structure of QA-treated animals. This increase was less pronounced in the NF-treated groups. Striatal lesions led to the loss of tonic inhibitory inputs to the globus pallidus with consequent increase in the activity of GABAergic efferent pallidal neurons, suggesting that NF could functionally repair the altered striopallidal pathway.

Cytochrome C oxidase activity and total glutathione content in experimental model of intracerebral aluminum overload.

Treatment of Wistar rats with aluminum chloride causes astroglial and neuronal cell damage in the selective brain regions of association cortex and hippocampus, seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Adult Wistar rats were treated with unilateral intrahippocampal injection of AlCl3 in one single dose of 3.7 g/kg b.w. Control group of animals was treated with 0.9% saline solution likewise. Animals were sacrificed by decapitation seven days after the treatment. Activity of cytochrome C oxidase (COX) and total glutathione content were measured in the ipsi- and contralateral hippocampus and forebrain cortex. Activity of COX was mutually decreased in the hippocampus (ipsi- 30%, contra- 34%), as well as in the forebrain cortex (ipsi- 44%, contra- 47%), compared to controls. These decrease could indicate a deficiency in reducing equivalents with concomitant altered proton gradient and function of electron transport chain, as well as decreased ATP synthesis. Content of glutathione, a clue antioxidative factor, was decreased for about 50% in all examined structures, primary suggesting an impaired regeneration of reduced glutathione. Such distribution of diminished antioxidative defense could be the consequence of the specific brain distribution of transferrin receptors, which was also a main protein carrier for Al. Furthermore, at the cellular level Al could impede glycolysis with consequent decreased production of reducing equivalents which were necessary for glutathione synthesis/reduction, as well as for proton gradient and functionality of electron-transport chain.

Effects of nerve growth factor on antioxidative system in the thalamus of MPTP treated Wistar rats.

1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced parkinsonism is one of the most useful models for the study of that disease. It has been suggested that MPTP-induced neurotoxicity may involve the production of reactive oxygen species. MPTP was applied intracerebrally, unilaterally, in the striatum in single dose of 0.09 g/kg b.w. The second group was treated both with MPTP and nerve growth factor (NGF) in dose of 7 ng/ml. NGF was applied immediately after the neurotoxin. Control group was treated with 0.9% saline solution in the same manner. Animals were decapitated 7 days after the treatment. In the group treated with MPTP, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was decreased in ipsilateral thalamus, compared to control values as well as to the contralateral thalamus. In the same structures superoxide anion production was increased, compared to controls. Following the application of both MPTP and NGF, the activity of SOD and GSH-Px remained on control values, while the superoxide anion content was decreased, compared to controls. These results indicate a temporal and spatial propagation of oxidative stress and spread protective effects of NGF on the thalamus, the structure that is distant, but very tightly connected with striatum, the place of direct neurotoxic damage.

Index of lipid peroxidation and glucose utilization in the cerebrospinal fluid in patients with cerebral infarction.

Cerebral ischemia could be observed as acute metabolic crisis, when oxygen and glucose supply is compromised and synthesis of energy is insufficient. Apart from the excitotoxicity, increased production of reactive oxygen species with consequent lipid peroxidation is also included in neuronal cell damage. Furthermore, these toxic compounds could also be produced during the process of secondary inflammation of ischemic tissue. In the early stage of ischemia, as a systemic response to acute stress, there is an increase in glucose level in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood. According to the metabolic crisis and acidosis in ischemic brain tissue we investigated index of lipid peroxidation (ILP) and glucose utilization (IGU) in CSF of 53 patients of both sexes, aged 55-70 years with cerebral infarction. Control group comprised 15 patients with sudden onset of motor deficit subjected to diagnostic lumbar radiculography and suspected on discal genesis. ILP in CSF, as the indicator and sequela of neuronal cell membranes damage, was two fold increased in the acute period of cerebral infarction and maximal values (3.5 times) were noticed 24 hours after the ischemic episode compared to controls. Besides the increase in glucose concentration in peripheral blood and CSF of patients with cerebral infarction, IGU was decreased (37%) with minimal values (32%) 24 hours after the ischemia. These changes indicate that glucose is available but cells are incapable to metabolize it. We concluded that ILP and IGU in CSF of patients with cerebral infarction could be indicators of metabolic dysfunction and neuronal cell damage. Also, these results suggest the significance of polyvalent therapy including antioxidative and antiinflammatory agents in acute phase of cerebral ischemia.

Oxidative stress in the thalamus of Wistar rats treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine.

Experimental parkinsonism was induced in adult Wistar rats by selective nigrostriatal neurotoxine, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in a single dose of 0.09 g/kg, by unilateral intrastriatal application using stereotaxic instrument. Control group included rats treated with 0.9% saline solution in the same manner. Animals were sacrificed by decapitation seven days after the treatment. Total glutathione was measured in the crude mitochondrial fraction of thalamus and striatum. Total glutathione content, as a measure of reduced cell atmosphere, was mutually decreased in the thalamus and striatum of MPTP-treated animals, compared to controls: thalamus ipsi- = 24.8 +/- 3.11, contralateral = 26.81 +/- 5.31; striatum ipsi- = 19.96 +/- 4.13, contralateral = 17.3 +/- 4.09 nmol/mg prot. Mutually depleted glutathione content in the thalamus and contralateral striatum, the structures distant from ipsilateral treated striatum, could indicate on spatial propagation of oxidative stress, not only in the selective vulnerable dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons, but in the structures included in the motor and cognitive loops of basal ganglia.

Determination of autoprotolysis constants of some non-aqueous solvents using coulometric titration.

Autoprotolysis constants of acetonitrile, propionitrile, nitromethane, ethylene carbonate and dimethyl sulphoxide were determined using a coulometric - potentiometric method with a hydrogen/palladium electrode as generator. The method is based on the titration of a strong base, tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, with H(+) ions generated by anodic oxidation of hydrogen dissolved in palladium. The titration was carried out in a galvanic cell with glass and calomel electrodes at 25 degrees C. The pK(s) values for the investigated solvents are: acetonitrile, 28.8; propionitrile, 24.6; nitromethane, 23.7; ethylene carbonate. 21.5; and dimethyl sulphoxide 29.1. These data are in accordance with those reported in the literature.

Coulometric titrations of bases in propylene carbonate using hydrogenpalladium and deuteriumpalladium generator electrodes.

The application of hydrogen and deuterium ions obtained by anodic oxidation of hydrogen and deuterium dissolved in palladium, for the coulometric determination of bases (both individual and in mixtures) in propylene carbonate, is described. The current-potential curves at a palladium anode for supporting electrolyte indicator, titrated bases, hydrogen dissolved in palladium and deuterium dissolved in palladium showed that hydrogen and deuterium are oxidized at much less positive potentials than the oxidation potentials of other substances present in the solution. The generated H(+) and D(+) ions were used for the titration of bases (pyridine, quinoline, triethylamine, n-butylaniline, 2,2'-dipiridyl and aminopyrine) with visual and potentiometric detection. The oxidation of hydrogen and deuterium proceeded with 100% current efficiency. Two-component mixtures of bases (aliphatic + aromatic amine) were titrated successfully by using two indicators, Eosin and Crystal Violet. The relative error of the determination with respect to each individual base determination, was less than 2.5% for quantities of bases ranging from 1 to 3 mg.

Natural monocrystalline pyrite as electrode material for potentiometric titrations in water.

The possibility of applying natural monocrystalline pyrite as sensor for the potentiometric titration of acids in water was investigated. The potential of this electrode in aqueous solutions exhibits a sub-Nernst dependence. In fresh solutions the slope (mV/pH) is 33.9. The potential jumps at the titration end-point obtained in titrations of HCl, H(3)PO(4) and CH(3) COOH do not differ much from those obtained by the application of the glass electrode as the indicator one. The potentials in the course of the titration and at the titration end-point (TEP) are rapidly established. The results obtained in the determination of the investigated acids deviated for 0.16-0.34% with respect to those obtained by using the glass electrode as the indicator one.

The application of deuterium-palladium electrodes in the coulometric-potentiometric determination of bases in ketone media.

The application of deuterium-palladium electrodes as generator, indicator and reference electrodes for the determination of organic bases in acetone and methyl ethyl ketone has been investigated. Deuterium dissolved in palladium is oxidized at a potential that is close to the oxidation potential of hydrogen in palladium and more negative than the oxidation potentials of the bases titrated, indicator, and the solvents used. The anodic oxidation of deuterium dissolved in palladium proceeds with 100% current efficiency in the solvents investigated. The relative errors for the determination of 5 x 10(-4)M solutions of bases are less than 1%.

Coulometric generation of H(+) and D(+) ions in aqueous media by anodic oxidation of hydrogen and deuterium dissolved in palladium.

Coulometric generation of H(+) and D(+) ions in aqueous media by the oxidation of hydrogen and deuterium dissolved in palladium, is described. Hydrogen and deuterium dissolved in palladium were found to be oxidized at more negative potentials than the oxidation potentials of water and other components present. The H(+) and D(+) ions generated were used for the titration of tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane, piperidine, triethylamine and sodium tetraborate, the end-point being determined potentiometrically with a glass electrode and an SCE. In titrations of 0.001-0.1M solutions of the bases, the current efficiency was 100%.

Coulometric generation of protons by oxidation of hydrogen dissolved in palladium, in non-aqueous media.

Coulometric generation of H(+) ions by the oxidation of hydrogen dissolved in palladium, in media such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, acetic anhydride and acetic acid-acetic anhydride mixture, for use in titration of bases, has been investigated. The hydrogen is oxidized at potentials which are much more negative than those of the bases and other components present in the solution. Titrations of numerous bases have established that the oxidation is quantitative and proceeds with 100% current efficiency.

Potentiometric determination of pK(A) of organic bases in acetone by the application of coulometry.

A coulometric-potentiometric method for the determination of pK(A) values of organic bases in anhydrous acetone is described. The bases were titrated with protons obtained by anodic oxidation of hydrogen dissolved in palladium, in the presence of sodium perchlorate as the supporting electrolyte. A pair of glass electrodes was used for measuring directly the difference between the half-neutralization potentials of the standard and the base being studied. The pK(A) values obtained were close to those reported in the literature. The effect of the supporting electrolyte concentration on the pK(A) values of some of the bases was also studied.

Coulometric generation of hydrogen ions by oxidation of mercury in anhydrous acetone.

The application of a mercury anode for the quantitative generation of H(+) ions in anhydrous acetone has been investigated. From the changes of anode potential with current density in 0.25M sodium perehlorate in anhydrous acetone it has been established that in this solvent mercury is oxidized at a potential which is much more negative than the oxidation potentials of the bases to be titrated, the indicator used and the solvent. Protons generated in this way have been used for titration of some organic bases, with either visual or potentiometric end-point detection. The oxidation of mercury in anhydrous acetone and the reaction of mercury ions with acetone have been found to proceed with 100% current efficiency.

Coulometric titration of bases in acetic acid and acetonitrile media.

The working conditions and the results for coulometric titration of milligram amounts of some bases in 0.1M sodium perchlorate in a mixture of acetic acid and acetic anhydride (1:6), are given. Determinations were made both by coulometric back-titration or direct titration at the platinum anode. Back-titration was done in the catholyte, by coulometric titration of the excess of added perchloric acid. The titration end-point was detected photometrically with Crystal Violet as indicator. The direct titration of bases was done at the platinum anode, in the same electrolyte, to which hydroquinone was added as anode depolarizer and as the source of hydrogen ions, Malachite Green being used as indicator. Similarly, bases can be determined in acetonitrile if sodium perchlorate, hydroquinone and Malachite Green are added to the solvent. Errors are below 1 %, and the precision is satisfactory.