An accurate, rapid, and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of four typical heterocyclic amines in roasted pork patties: Application in the study of inhibitory effects of astaxanthin.

Heterocyclic aromatic amines, as a group of mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds, have gained worldwide concern. In this study, an accurate, rapid, and sensitive confirmation and quantification method of four major heterocyclic aromatic amines in roasted pork was developed based on Q-Orbitrap along with Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe extraction. The limit of detections and limit of quantitations were found to be 0.2-1.2 µg/kg and 0.6-3.5 µg/kg, respectively, revealing the high sensitivity of this method. Obtained results showed recoveries ranging from 78.1 to 97.4%, depending on the different heterocyclic aromatic amines and spiked levels. Precision was in the range of 2.6-4.5% for four heterocyclic aromatic amines at different levels. In addition, the developed method had been applied to investigate the inhibitory effects of astaxanthin on the above-mentioned heterocyclic aromatic amines in roasted pork. The amount of astaxanthin with the best inhibitory effects was 7.5 mg (0.0375%), which led to significant reduction in heterocyclic aromatic amines levels over 50%.

Solution-phase synthesis of the fluorogenic TGase 2 acyl donor Z-Glu(HMC)-Gly-OH and its use for inhibitor and amine substrate characterisation.

A reliable solution-phase synthesis of the water-soluble dipeptidic fluorogenic transglutaminase substrate Z-Glu(HMC)-Gly-OH is presented. The route started from Z-Glu-OH, which was converted into the corresponding cyclic anhydride. This building block was transformed into the regioisomeric α- and γ-dipeptides. The key step was the esterification of Z-Glu-Gly-OtBu with 4-methylumbelliferone. The final substrate compound was obtained in an acceptable yield and excellent purity without the need of purification by RP-HPLC. The advantage of this acyl donor substrate for the kinetic characterisation of inhibitors and amine-type acyl acceptor substrates is demonstrated by evaluating commercially available or literature-known irreversible inhibitors and the biogenic amines serotonin, histamine and dopamine, respectively.

Inhibitory effect of mixture herbs/spices on formation of heterocyclic amines and mutagenic activity of grilled beef.

Natural antioxidants in spices and herbs have attracted considerable attention as potential inhibitors against the formation of mutagenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) in heat-processed meat. In this study, the inhibitory activity of four spices/herbs and their mixtures on HCAs formation in grilled beef were examined. A simplex centroid mixture design with four components comprising turmeric, curry leaf, torch ginger and lemon grass in 19 different proportions were applied on beef samples before grilling at 240 ºC for 10 min. The HCAs were extracted from the samples using solid phase extraction (SPE) method and analysed using Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS. All spices/herbs in single or mixture forms were found to reduce total HCA concentrations in marinated grilled beef ranging from 21.2% for beef marinated with curry leaf to 94.7% for the combination of turmeric and lemon grass (50:50 w/w). At the optimum marinade formula (turmeric: lemon grass 52.4%: 47.6%), concentration of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinolone (IQ), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), Harman, Norharman and AαC were 2.2, 1.4, 0.5, 2.8 and 1.2 ng/g, respectively. The results of the mutagenic activity demonstrated that this optimised marinade formula significantly (p < 0.05) diminished mutagenicity of marinated grilled beef in bacterial Ames test.

Influence of caffeine on the protective activity of gabapentin and topiramate in a mouse model of generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

BACKGROUND: Caffeine may interact with classical antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), reducing their anticonvulsant effects in basic seizure models. The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether intraperitoneal caffeine (acute or chronic for 15 days) could attenuate the anticonvulsant effect of some newer AEDs: gabapentin (GBP) and topiramate (TPM) against electroconvulsions in mice. METHODS: Maximal electroshock (MES)-induced mouse seizure model was used for the estimation of the anticonvulsant activity of TPM whilst the protective activity of GBP was evaluated in the threshold test for maximal (tonic) convulsions. Adverse effects were evaluated by measurement of long-term memory (the step-through passive avoidance task) and motor coordination (chimney test). Plasma AED concentrations were also measured to determinate any pharmacokinetic contribution to the observed effects. RESULTS: Caffeine (both acute and chronic at 23.1 and 46.2mg/kg) significantly reduced the protective effects of TPM against MES. As regards GBP, caffeine (acutely at 46.2mg/kg and chronically at 23.1 or 46.2mg/kg) significantly diminished the GBP-induced increases in the electroconvulsive threshold. In addition, caffeine did not affect the free plasma concentrations of TPM or GBP. Acute and chronic caffeine (23.1 and 46.2mg/kg) enhanced the impairment of motor coordination in mice pretreated with GBP whilst an opposite effect was observed in TPM injected mice and pretreated with chronic caffeine at 46.2mg/kg. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that newer AEDs, GBP or TPM behave in the exactly same way as classical antiepileptics in mice challenged with caffeine. This hazardous effect of caffeine is not subject to tolerance.

Optical isomers of phenibut inhibit [H(3)]-Gabapentin binding in vitro and show activity in animal models of chronic pain.

BACKGROUND: We report that R- and S-phenibut (ß-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid) - derivatives of GABA - bind with an affinity of c.a. 90µM to the gabapentin binding site in a competitive assay, a value comparable to that for previously claimed targets for this enantioermic molecule. This finding implied potential activity in neuropathic pain, this being one of the clinically validated indications for gabapentin. METHODS: The effect of phenibut on tactile allodynia was tested in a chronic constriction nerve injury (CCI) neuropathic pain model and against hypersensitivity following inflammation induced by inoculation using complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model. RESULTS: Indeed, a significant inhibitory effect on tactile allodynia was detected in rats in both employed chronic pain models with stronger and clearly dose dependent effect with R isomer. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm activity in chronic pain models predicted from affinity for the gabapentin site and suggests, at least partially, that α2δ-subunits of presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels are involved in mediating this effect.

Inhibitory effects of selected dietary flavonoids on the formation of total heterocyclic amines and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) in roast beef patties and in chemical models.

In this study, the inhibitory effects of eight kinds of dietary flavonoids on the formation of heterocyclic amines (HAs) were investigated in roast beef patties. The results showed that most of them exhibited significant inhibition on both total HAs and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), one of the most abundant HAs. Among the studied flavonoids, phlorizin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and quercetin were found to be the most effective in both the reductions of total HAs (55-70%) and PhIP (60-80%). The reaction activity between the flavonoid and phenylacetaldehyde, a key intermediate in PhIP formation, showed a good correlation with the inhibition of PhIP formation in an aqueous model system (R(2) = 0.8904) and a di(ethylene) glycol reaction system (R(2) = 0.6514). However, no significant correlation was found between the flavonoid antioxidant capacity and PhIP formation (R(2) = 0.2359). The postulated adducts of flavonoids-phenylacetaldehyde were further confirmed by LC-MS analysis in the chemical models. Since phenylacetaldehyde is the chief intermediate in PhIP formation, these results suggest that the inhibitory effects of flavonoids on PhIP formation are mainly dependent on their abilities to trap phenylacetaldehyde as opposed to their antioxidant capacities.

Involvement of nitridergic and opioidergic pathways in the antinociception of gabapentin in the orofacial formalin test in mice.

BACKGROUND: Pain is one of the most common problems in clinical medicine. There is considerable evidence that pharmacologic approaches are the most widely used therapeutic options to ameliorate persistent or chronic pain. In this study it was evaluated the effect of l-NAME and naltrexone in the antinociception induced by administration of gabapentin in the orofacial formalin test of mice. METHODS: The algesiometer assay was performed by the administration of 20 µl of 2% formalin solution injected into the upper right lip of each mouse. RESULTS: The dose of gabapentin that produces the 50% of the maximum possible effect (ED50) was significantly increased by the pretreatment with l-NAME or naltrexone. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that gabapentin produce antinociception partly via the activation nitridergic pathways and opioid system.

Amisulpride-induced seizurogenic effect: a potential role of opioid receptor-linked transduction systems.

This study was designed to investigate the role of opioid receptors, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, mast cells and histamine receptors (H(1) subtype) in the seizurogenic effect of amisulpride on mice. A single injection of amisulpride (180 mg/kg) was employed to evaluate the seizurogenicity of the drug in mice. Seizures were assessed in terms of a composite seizure severity score (SSS), time of the onset of straub-like tail, onset of jerky movements of whole body, convulsions and death. Amisulpride administration (180 mg/kg) induced a significant pro-convulsant effect in mice as measured in terms of the SSS (21.12 ± 2.71) and a significant decrease in the time latency of the onset of straub-like tail (132.45 ± 12.31), jerky movements of whole body (153.28 ± 14.12), convulsions (184.97 ± 13.11) and death (100%). Moreover, prior administration of naloxone, cetrizine, sodium cromoglycate and gabapentin, respectively, attenuated this seizurogenic activity that amisulpride exerted on mice (p < 0.05). Therefore, it may be suggested that amisulpride exerts a seizurogenic effect on mice possibly via an opioid receptor activation-dependent release of histamine from the mast cells and a simultaneous inhibition of GABA release.

The effect of rosemary on the mutagenic activity of heterocyclic amines extracted from common food consumed in Saudi Arabia.

Meat intake may increase cancer risk as heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are one of the food mutagens produced in meat cooked at high temperature. The consumption of meat in Saudi Arabia is high compared with other developing countries and the incidence of cancer has been increasing during the past 30 years. The present study aimed to quantitatively determine the effect of rosemary on the mutagenic activity and the amount of HCAs formed in beef Shawerma, grilled chicken and fried liver as an attempt to minimize the carcinogenic risk of HCAs formed in these commonly consumed meat dishes. Surprisingly, rosemary extracts (2%, 5%, 10% and 15%) apparently enhanced the total amount of HCAs measured in beef Shawerma, whereas 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) was the only mutagenic amine inhibited by 2% rosemary with a reduction up to 61.6% compared with control. In grilled chicken, the total amount of HCAs measured in 2% rosemary samples was reduced seven-fold lower than the control level, whereas PhIp and 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (TrpP1) were inhibited to non-detectable levels. These data demonstrate that 2% rosemary may play an important role in attenuating the production of PhIP in both Shawerma and fried chicken. In fried liver, HCAs were not detected either in the control or in 2% treated samples whereas augmented levels of TrpP1 were measured in 5%, 10% and 15% rosemary. The mutagenic activity of HCAs extracted from all beef Shawerma and grilled chicken treated samples increased over the control sample using Salmonella typhimurium TA100. In fried liver, the mutagenic activity detected in the control sample was higher than treated samples, which suggests that S. typhimurium TA100 might be less sensitive in detecting the mutagenic response of TrpP1 extracted from the real food system. We believe more research is needed to assess the role of antioxidants in the formation of HCAs in order to optimize both safety and quality of our diets.

A muscarinic cholinergic mechanism underlies activation of the central pattern generator for locust flight.

A central question in behavioural control is how central pattern generators (CPGs) for locomotion are activated. This paper disputes the key role generally accredited to octopamine in activating the CPG for insect flight. In deafferented locusts, fictive flight was initiated by bath application of the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine, the acetylcholine analogue carbachol, and the acetylcholinesterase blocker eserine, but not by nicotine. Furthermore, in addition to octopamine, various other amines including dopamine, tyramine and histamine all induced fictive flight, but not serotonin or the amine-precursor amino acid tyrosine. However, flight initiation was not reversibly blocked by aminergic antagonists, and was still readily elicited by both natural stimulation (wind) and pilocarpine in reserpinized, amine-depleted locusts. By contrast, the muscarinic antagonists atropine and scopolamine reversibly blocked flight initiated by wind, cholinergic agonists, octopamine, and by selective stimulation of a flight-initiating interneurone (TCG). The short delay from TCG stimulation to flight onset suggests that TCG acts directly on the flight CPG, and accordingly that TCG, or its follower cell within the flight generating circuit, is cholinergic. We conclude that acetylcholine acting via muscarinic receptors is the key neurotransmitter in the mechanism underlying the natural activation of the locust flight CPG. Amines are not essential for this, but must be considered as potential neuromodulators for facilitating flight release and tuning the motor pattern. We speculate that muscarinic activation coupled to aminergic facilitation may be a general feature of behavioural control in insects for ensuring conditional recruitment of individual motor programs in accordance with momentary adaptive requirements.

Trans-channel interactions in batrachotoxin-modified skeletal muscle sodium channels: voltage-dependent block by cytoplasmic amines, and the influence of mu-conotoxin GIIIA derivatives and permeant ions.

External mu-conotoxins and internal amine blockers inhibit each other's block of voltage-gated sodium channels. We explore the basis of this interaction by measuring the shifts in voltage-dependence of channel inhibition by internal amines induced by two mu-conotoxin derivatives with different charge distributions and net charges. Charge changes on the toxin were made at residue 13, which is thought to penetrate most deeply into the channel, making it likely to have the strongest individual interaction with an internal charged ligand. When an R13Q or R13E molecule was bound to the channel, the voltage dependence of diethylammonium (DEA)-block shifted toward more depolarized potentials (23 mV for R13Q, and 16 mV for R13E). An electrostatic model of the repulsion between DEA and the toxin simulated these data, with a distance between residue 13 of the mu-conotoxin and the DEA-binding site of approximately 15 A. Surprisingly, for tetrapropylammonium, the shifts were only 9 mV for R13Q, and 7 mV for R13E. The smaller shifts associated with R13E, the toxin with a smaller net charge, are generally consistent with an electrostatic interaction. However, the smaller shifts observed for tetrapropylammonium than for DEA suggest that other factors must be involved. Two observations indicate that the coupling of permeant ion occupancy of the channel to blocker binding may contribute to the overall amine-toxin interaction: 1), R13Q binding decreases the apparent affinity of sodium for the conducting pore by approximately 4-fold; and 2), increasing external [Na(+)] decreases block by DEA at constant voltage. Thus, even though a number of studies suggest that sodium channels are occupied by no more than one ion most of the time, measurable coupling occurs between permeant ions and toxin or amine blockers. Such interactions likely determine, in part, the strength of trans-channel, amine-conotoxin interactions.

Trans-channel interactions in batrachotoxin-modified rat skeletal muscle sodium channels: kinetic analysis of mutual inhibition between mu-conotoxin GIIIA derivatives and amine blockers.

R13X derivatives of mu-conotoxin GIIIA bind externally to single sodium channels and block current incompletely with mean "blocked" durations of several seconds. We studied interactions between two classes of blockers (mu-conotoxins and amines) by steady state, kinetic analysis of block of BTX-modified Na channels in planar bilayers. The amines cause all-or-none block at a site internal to the selectivity filter. TPrA and DEA block single Na channels with very different kinetics. TPrA induces discrete, all-or-none, blocked events (mean blocked durations, approximately 100 ms), whereas DEA produces a concentration-dependent reduction of the apparent single channel amplitude ("fast" block). These distinct modes of action allow simultaneous evaluation of block by TPrA and DEA, showing a classical, competitive interaction between them. The apparent affinity of TPrA decreases with increasing [DEA], based on a decrease in the association rate for TPrA. When an R13X mu-conotoxin derivative and one of the amines are applied simultaneously on opposite sides of the membrane, a mutually inhibitory interaction is observed. Dissociation constants, at +50 mV, for TPrA ( approximately 4 mM) and DEA ( approximately 30 mM) increase by approximately 20%-50% when R13E (nominal net charge, +4) or R13Q (+5) is bound. Analysis of the slow blocking kinetics for the two toxin derivatives showed comparable decreases in affinity of the mu-conotoxins in the presence of an amine. Although this mutual inhibition seems to be qualitatively consistent with an electrostatic interaction across the selectivity filter, quantitative considerations raise questions about the mechanistic details of the interaction.

The calcium channel alpha2delta-2 subunit partitions with CaV2.1 into lipid rafts in cerebellum: implications for localization and function.

The accessory alpha2delta subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels are highly glycosylated transmembrane proteins that interact with calcium channel alpha1 subunits to enhance calcium currents. We compared the membrane localization and processing of native cerebellar alpha2delta-2 subunits with alpha2delta-2 stably expressed in tsA-201 cells. We identified that alpha2delta-2 is completely concentrated in cholesterol-rich microdomains (lipid rafts) in cerebellum, in which it substantially colocalizes with the calcium channel alpha1 subunit CaV2.1, although CaV2.1 is also present in the Triton X-100-soluble fraction. In tsA-201 cells, unlike cerebellum, alpha2delta-2 is not completely proteolytically processed into alpha2-2 and delta-2. However, this processing is more complete in the lipid raft fraction of tsA-201 cells, in which alpha2delta-2 also colocalizes with CaV2.1. Cholesterol depletion of intact cells disrupted their lipid rafts and enhanced CaV2.1/alpha2delta-2/beta4 currents. Furthermore, alpha2delta-2 coimmunoprecipitates with lipid raft-associated proteins of the stomatin family. The apparent affinity of alpha2delta-2 for its ligand gabapentin is increased markedly in the cholesterol-rich microdomain fractions, in both cerebellum and the stable alpha2delta-2 cell line. In contrast, alpha2delta-2 containing a point mutation (R282A) has a much lower affinity for gabapentin, and this is not enhanced in the lipid raft fraction. This R282A mutant alpha2delta-2 shows reduced functionality in terms of enhancement of CaV2.1/beta4 calcium currents, suggesting that the integrity of the gabapentin binding site may be important for normal functioning of alpha2delta-2. Together, these results indicate that both alpha2delta-2 and CaV2.1 are normally associated with cholesterol-rich microdomains, and this influences their functionality.

Structure-activity relationships of pregabalin and analogues that target the alpha(2)-delta protein.

Pregabalin exhibits robust activity in preclinical assays indicative of potential antiepileptic, anxiolytic, and antihyperalgesic clinical efficacy. It binds with high affinity to the alpha(2)-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels and is a substrate of the system L neutral amino acid transporter. A series of pregabalin analogues were prepared and evaluated for their alpha(2)-delta binding affinity as demonstrated by their ability to inhibit binding of [(3)H]gabapentin to pig brain membranes and for their potency to inhibit the uptake of [(3)H]leucine into CHO cells, a measure of their ability to compete with the endogenous substrate at the system L transporter. Compounds were also assessed in vivo for their ability to promote anxiolytic, analgesic, and anticonvulsant actions. These studies suggest that distinct structure activity relationships exist for alpha(2)-delta binding and system L transport inhibition. However, both interactions appear to play an important role in the in vivo profile of these compounds.

Inhibitory effects of beer on heterocyclic amine-induced mutagenesis and PhIP-induced aberrant crypt foci in rat colon.

Anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic effects of beer on heterocyclic amine (HCA)-induced carcinogenesis were studied in vitro and in vivo. Four commercial beers (two pilsner-type, black, and stout) showed inhibitory effects against five HCAs, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1) and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoline (IQ), in the Ames assay using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 in the presence of rat S9 mix. The inhibitory effects of dark-colored beers (stout and black beer) were greater than those of pilsner-type beers. Dark-colored beers suppressed CYP1A2 activity in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that inhibition of HCA activation is partly responsible for their strong anti-mutagenic effects. Anti-mutagenic effects were also observed when the pooled human S9 mix or activated IQ was used in the assay. The micronucleus test using Chinese hamster lung CHL/IU cells showed that the addition of freeze-dried samples of pilsner-type and stout beer to the culture medium significantly reduced the number of cells with micronuclei induced with PhIP or Trp-P-2. Single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) revealed that oral ingestion of pilsner-type and stout beers for 1 week significantly inhibited DNA damage in the liver cells of male ICR mice exposed to MeIQx (13 mg/kg, i.p.). A decrease in the formation of DNA adducts was also observed using a 32P-postlabeling method. Male Fischer 344 rats orally received PhIP (75 mg/kg, five times a week for 2 weeks) and aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation in the colon was analyzed after 5 weeks. The number of ACF was significantly reduced in rats fed a diet containing freeze-dried beer. These results suggest that beer inhibits the genotoxic effects of HCAs and may reduce the risk of carcinogenesis caused by food borne carcinogens.

Inhibitory effect of dibenzoylmethane on mutagenicity of food-derived heterocyclic amine mutagens.

Dibenzoylmethane (DBM), a structural analogue of curcumin (a bioactive phytochemical present in a widely used spice turmeric) was screened for its inhibitory effect against seven cooked food mutagens (heterocyclic amines): 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1), in both TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium using Ames Salmonella/reversion assay in the presence of Aroclor1254-induced rat liver S9 homogenate. DBM has been reported to antagonize the mutagenicity of several chemical carcinogens in vitro and has recently been shown to be even more effective than curcumin in suppressing the 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors in rats. But there are no reports regarding its antimutagenic properties against cooked food mutagens. Results of the present investigations clearly indicate that dibenzoylmethane is a very potent antimutagenic agent, that could effectively inhibit mutagenicity induced by all the tested cooked food mutagens in both the frame shift (TA98) as well as the base pair mutation sensitive (TA100) strains of S. typhimurium. These highly potent inhibitory effects of dibenzoylmethane against heterocyclic amines observed in our preliminary investigations strongly warrant further studies of its efficacy as a cancer chemopreventive agent.

Inhibition of heterocyclic aromatic amine formation in fried ground beef patties by garlic and selected garlic-related sulfur compounds.

The effects of garlic and selected organosulfur compounds (diallyl disulfide, dipropyl disulfide, diallyl sulfide, allyl methyl sulfide, allyl mercaptan, cysteine, and cystine) on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) in fried ground beef patties were evaluated. Minced garlic cloves (ca. 4.8 to 16.7%, wt/wt) or organosulfur compounds (0.67 mmol) were added directly to ground beef. Patties (100 g) were fried at 225 degrees C (surface temperature) for 10 min per side. Two patties were fried for each replication, and five replicates were analyzed for each treatment. For each replicate, four subsamples were analyzed (two unspiked subsamples for concentration and two spiked subsamples for the recovery of HAA standards). The volatile sulfur compounds significantly (P < 0.05) reduced concentrations of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine by reductions of 46 to 81%, while average reductions of 35, 22, and 71%, were achieved with cystine, cysteine, and whole garlic, respectively. The volatile sulfur compounds reduced concentrations of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline by 34 to 67%, while reductions of 25, 19, and 63% (P < 0.05) were achieved with cystine, cysteine, and whole garlic, respectively. These studies confirm that garlic and some organosulfur compounds have the potential to reduce HAA formation incooked beef patties.

Inhibition of weak-base amine-induced lysis of lysosomes by cytosol.

Certain amines known to be concentrated in lysosomes, termed "lysosomotropic amines," cause the formation of lysosomal vacuoles. A cell-free system was established to examine the effects of basic substances and acidic ionophores. In this system, the drugs not only increased the internal pH, but also caused a disruption of lysosomes. The osmotic swelling of lysosomes induced by protonated bases or cations for particular ionophores, which had accumulated within lysosomes driven by the proton pump, caused the osmotic lysis of lysosomes. The lysosomal disruption was inhibited upon the addition of the cytosol fraction. This phenomenon provides an in vitro system for studying the osmo-regulation and intercellular dynamics of the lysosomal system, including membrane fusion. The lysosomal stabilization factor was purified from the cytosol fraction and identified as ATP-stimulated glucocorticoid receptor translocation promoter (ASTP).

Inhibitory effect of curcumin and its natural analogues on genotoxicity of heterocyclic amines from cooked food.

Curcumin (C) and its natural analogues demethoxycurcumin (dmC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (bdmC), known for their potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects, were tested for their possible inhibitory effects against seven cooked food mutagens (heterocyclic amines): 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1), in both TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium using Ames Salmonella/reversion assay in the presence of Aroclor induced rat liver S9 homogenate. In the present investigations, curcumin as well as its two natural analogues i.e., dmC and bdmC were found to be highly effective in suppressing genotoxicity of all the tested cooked food mutagens in a dose-dependent manner, in both the frame shift (TA98) as well as base pair mutation sensitive (TA100) strains of S. typhimurium. However, bdmC appeared to be a relatively less active antimutagen compared to C and dmC. More than 80% inhibition of mutagenicity was observed at 200 microg/plate in case of C and dmC in both TA98 and TA100 against all tested cooked food mutagens. Where as, bdmC showed 39-79% inhibition in TA100 and 60-80% inhibition in TA98, at a dose of 200 microg/plate. These findings warrant further biochemical, enzymatic and in vivo investigations in animal models as well as in humans to establish the chemoprotective effect of these agents against mutagenic heterocyclic amines found in cooked food.

Studies on the antimutagenesis of Phyllanthus orbicularis: mechanisms involved against aromatic amines.

Phyllanthus orbicularis is a medicinal plant, endemic to Cuba, whose aqueous extract has proven antiviral properties. This plant extract is being studied for treatment of viral diseases in animals and humans. Antimutagenic activities of this plant aqueous extract have been investigated as an additional and possible valuable property. Antimutagenesis was assayed against the mutagenic activity of m-phenylenediamine (m-PDA), 2-aminofluorene (2-AF), 1-aminopyrene (1-AP), 2-aminoanthracene (2-AA) and 9-aminophenantrene (9-AP) in Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) YG1024, in different co-treatment approaches. This plant extract produced a significant decrease of the mutagenesis mediated by these aromatic amines (AA) in the following order: m-PDA>2-AA>2-AF>9-AP>1-AP. Interactions with S9 enzymes and transformation of promutagenic amines and their mutagenic metabolites by chemical reactions to non-mutagenic compounds are proposed as possible mechanisms of antimutagenesis. Mutagenesis mediated by m-PDA was almost completely abolished when S9 mixture was co-incubated with the plant extract during 40 min, previous to the addition of the m-PDA and bacterial cells to the assay. Similar results were found with 2-AA and 1-AP, but the reduction of the mutation rate was not so dramatic. In contrast, the most significant antimutagenic effect against 2-AF and 9-AP was seen when these chemicals were co-incubated with the plant extract, before addition of the S9 mixture and bacterial cells to the assay. Therefore, inhibition or competition for S9 enzymes seems to be the main antimutagenic mechanism of this plant extract against m-PDA, 2-AA and 1-AP, whilst a chemical modification of 2-AF and 9-AP into non-promutagenic derivatives is likely to be the main mechanism of antimutagenesis against both compounds.