Identification of In Vitro Metabolites of Synthetic Phenolic Antioxidants BHT, BHA, and TBHQ by LC-HRMS/MS.

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and its analogs, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and tert-butyl-hydroquinone (TBHQ), are widely used synthetic preservatives to inhibit lipid oxidation in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Despite their widespread use, little is known about their human exposure and related biotransformation products. The metabolism of these compounds was investigated using in vitro incubations with human and rat liver fractions. Liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry was employed to detect and characterize stable and reactive species formed via oxidative metabolism, as well as phase II conjugates. Several oxidative metabolites have been detected, as well as glutathione, glucuronide, and sulfate conjugates, many of which were not previously reported. A combination of accurate mass measurements, MS/MS fragmentation behavior, and isotope-labeling studies were used to elucidate metabolite structures.

Negative chronotropism, positive inotropism and lusitropism of 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (DTBHA) on rat heart preparations occur through reduction of RyR2 Ca2+ leak.

3,5-Di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (DTBHA) is considered as an activator of the skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-uptake, endowed with antioxidant and L-type Ca2+ channel blocking activities. In this study we assessed the cardiac effects of DTBHA on Langendorff perfused rat hearts, isolated rat atria and rat cardiac SR membrane vesicles, as well as on several SERCA isoforms of membrane preparations. Moreover, in order to clarify its molecular mechanism of action Ca2+ imaging experiments were carried out on HEK293 cells transiently transfected with RyR2 channel. Docking of DTBHA at the rat RyR2 protein was investigated in silico. In Langendorff perfused rat hearts, DTBHA significantly increased, in a concentration-dependent manner, left ventricular pressure and diastole duration, while reducing heart rate and the time-constant of isovolumic relaxation, leaving unaltered coronary perfusion pressure. At the maximum concentration tested (30 µM), it significantly prolonged PQ interval, but left the corrected QT intervals unaffected. In spontaneously beating atria, DTBHA decreased sinus rate in a concentration-dependent manner. DTBHA, at concentrations higher than 10 µM, increased Ca2+ uptake in cardiac SR without affecting Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity assayed on several SERCA isoforms. Moreover, DTBHA antagonized thapsigargin-stimulated Ca2+ leak in cardiac SR and reduced caffeine-induced, RyR2-activated Ca2+ release in RyR2 expressing HEK293 cells. Using computational approaches, DTBHA showed a good affinity outline into binding sites of RyR2 protein. In conclusion, DTBHA behaved like a negative chronotropic, a positive inotropic and a lusitropic agent on rat heart preparations and improved cardiac SR Ca2+ uptake by lowering SR Ca2+ leak.

Effect of butylated hydroxyanisole and some of its derivatives on human neutrophil oxidative burst: chemiluminescence evaluation.

An acute inflammatory response begins during the reperfusion phase following an ischemic insult in which polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play an important role and the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes further damage and a reduction in endogenous antioxidant storage. The ability of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and some phenolic, aliphatic and aromatic BHA derivatives to reduce the human PMN oxidative burst evoked by particulate (Candida albicans and zymosan) or soluble stimulants [N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)] was investigated using luminol-amplified chemiluminescence. BHA and the derivative dt-BHA [3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole] significantly reduced the PMN oxidative burst at concentrations ranging from 5 x 10(-6) to 5 x 10(-5) mol/l for C. albicans stimulation, while for zymosan stimulation, reduction was seen at concentrations ranging from 5 x 10(-6) to 5 x 10(-5) mol/l for BHA, and at concentrations ranging from 5 x 10(-7) to 5 x 10(-5) mol/l for dt-BHA, with dt-BHA being the most active. Another BHA derivative, Bu GAM 1, was active at 5 x 10(-5) mol/l for C. albicans and at 5 x 10(-6) to 5 x 10(-5) mol/l for zymosan. The findings obtained with fMLP and PMA were very similar to those previously reported. ROS release is related to PMN killing activity, but the inhibition of the PMN oxidative burst induced by BHA and BHA derivatives did not significantly modify PMN phagocytosis or killing. It has recently been observed that dt-BHA has a spasmolytic action by inhibiting the influx of Ca(2+) into cells through L-type Ca(2+) channels, which means that a single molecule is capable of counteracting two major steps in the sequence of events triggered by ischemia-reperfusion injury, i.e. free radical release and Ca(2+) overload.

A chiral ligand-mediated asymmetric addition of a lithium BHA ester enolate to an aldehyde.

The asymmetric reaction of a lithium enolate generated from a BHA (2, 6-di-tert-buty-4-methoxyphenyl) propanoate was allowed to react with benzaldehyde in the presence of a diether-type chiral ligand affording the corresponding anti-aldol product in a moderate enantioselectivity. A tetradentate ligand induced better enantioselectivity albeit relative loss of anti-selectivity. A variation of lithiating amide agent affected the selectivity, indicating involvement of an amine as a component of the mixed aggregate. Absolute configuration of some of the aldol products was determined by standard transformations.

Effects of some sterically hindered phenols on whole-cell Ca(2+) current of guinea-pig gastric fundus smooth muscle cells.

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of extracellular application of some sterically-hindered phenols, namely 3-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA), 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (DTBHA) and the dimer of BHA, 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3'-di-t-butyl-5,5'-dimethoxydiphenyl (DIBHA), on the whole-cell Ca(2+) current (I(Ca)) of freshly isolated smooth muscle cells from the guinea-pig gastric fundus, in the presence of a range of Ca(2+) concentrations (1 -- 5 mM) using the patch-clamp technique. The influx of Ca(2+) had characteristics of L-type I(Ca) (I(Ca(L))). 2. BHA as well as DTBHA inhibited I(Ca(L)) in a concentration-dependent manner, during depolarization to 10 mV from a holding potential of -50 mV. Bath application of BHA (50 microM) and DTBHA (30 microM) decreased I(Ca(L)) by 48.9% and 45.2%, respectively. This inhibition was only partially reversible. In contrast, DIBHA (up to 50 microM) was devoided of effects on I(Ca(L)). 3. BHA inhibition of I(Ca(L)) was voltage-dependent and inversely related to the external concentration of Ca(2+). On the other hand, DTBHA inhibition was only voltage-dependent. 4. BHA and DTBHA shifted the voltage range of the steady-state inactivation curve to more negative potentials by 8 mV at the mid-potential of the curve, without affecting the activation curve. Furthermore, BHA and DTBHA did not modify the time-course of the current decay. 5. We conclude that the inhibition of I(Ca(L)) by BHA and DTBHA is qualitatively similar to that of a Ca(2+) channel blocker and is characterized by the stabilizing effect of the inactivated state of the channel.

Induction of hepatic DT-diaphorase in mice by butylated hydroxyanisole analogs: a structure-activity study.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and its analogs were evaluated for their relative activity to induce hepatic DT-diaphorase (EC 1.6.99.2) after dietary administration (at concentrations of 11.1 or 27.7 micromol/g diet for 3 days) to mice. Of the compounds tested, only BHA and 2-tert-amyl-4-methoxyphenol, 4-methoxyphenols with 2-tert-alkyl side chains, were active in inducing DT-diaphorase activity. None of the remaining six compounds showed any significant sign of inducing activity. No simple explanation for these rather strict structural requirements can be offered at the present time.

3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (DTBHA) activation of rat skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase.

3,5-Di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (DTBHA) increased in a concentration-dependent manner (calculated pEC(50) = 4.55 +/- 0.18 M) the oxalate-stimulated Ca(2+)-pumping rate of rat skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles. Kinetic analysis of this effect suggested that the activation of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase operated by (DTBHA) was of both mixed and non-competitive type with respect to ATP in the range of concentrations 0.1-0.5 mM and above 1 mM, respectively; furthermore, it was independent of the free Ca(2+) concentrations. This indicated that the enzyme activation took place through the acceleration of the enzyme-substrate complex breakdown. Moreover, it appeared that its target site was cyclopiazonic acid sensitive. The uncommon ability of (DTBHA) to upregulate SR Ca(2+) uptake is of interest in view of its possible use for treating pathological conditions characterised by cell Ca(2+) overload as well as genetic disorders where SR Ca(2+) homeostasis is altered.

Catalytic activity of anion-exchange resins modified with metal-porphine in oxidative reactions of phenols.

Anion-exchange resins modified with metal-porphine (M-Pr) have been investigated to develop a solid catalyst in the oxidative reaction of phenols by O2 in air. Co-Pr, which is easily prepared and separable from the reaction mixture, has been proved to accelerate the oxidative reaction of phenols such as 3,5-di-tertbutyl-4-hydroxyanisole. The resulting main oxidative products were identified to be quinones by using the GC-MS method.

Phosphatidylserine-dependent adhesion of T cells to endothelial cells.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) was exposed at the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and cultured cell lines by agonists that increase cytosolic Ca(2+), and factors governing the adhesion of T cells to the treated cells were investigated. Thrombin, ionophore A23187 and the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor 2, 5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzohydroquinone each induced a PS-dependent adhesion of Jurkat T cells. A23187, which was the most effective agonist in releasing PS-bearing microvesicles, was the least effective in inducing the PS-dependent adhesion of Jurkat cells. Treatment of ECV304 and EA.hy926 cells with EGTA, followed by a return to normal medium, resulted in an influx of Ca(2+) and an increase in adhering Jurkat cells. Oxidised low-density lipoprotein induced a procoagulant response in cultured ECV304 cells and increased the number of adhering Jurkat cells, but adhesion was not inhibited by pretreating ECV304 cells with annexin V. PS was not significantly exposed on untreated Jurkat cells, as determined by flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC. However, after adhesion to thrombin-treated ECV304 cells for 10 min followed by detachment in 1 mM EDTA, there was a marked exposure of PS on the Jurkat cells. Binding of annexin V-FITC to the detached cells was inhibited by pretreating them with unlabelled annexin V. Contact with thrombin-treated ECV304 cells thus induced the exposure of PS on Jurkat cells and, as Jurkat cells were unable to adhere to thrombin-treated ECV304 cells in the presence of EGTA, the adhesion of the two cell types may involve a Ca(2+) bridge between PS on both cell surfaces. The number of T cells from normal, human peripheral blood that adhered to ECV304 cells was not increased by treating the latter with thrombin. However, findings made with several T cell lines were generally, but not completely, consistent with the possibility that adhesion to surface PS on endothelial cells may be a feature of T cells that express both CD4(+) and CD8(+) antigens. Possible implications for PS-dependent adhesion of T cells to endothelial cells in metastasis, and early in atherogenesis, are discussed.

Substrate-dependent effect of phenolic antioxidants on Ca2+ accumulation by rat liver mitochondria.

The effect of different phenolic antioxidants on mitochondrial Ca2+ capacity (maximum amount of Ca2+ mitochondria can accumulate) was studied. Butylated hydroxytoluene substantially enhanced the Ca2+ capacity in mitochondria oxidizing succinate, butylated hydroxyanisole had a moderate effect while 2,5-di-(t-butyl)- 1,4 benzohydroquinone did not affect Ca2+ capacity at all. The analysis of Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria oxidizing succinate in the presence of 2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4 benzohydroquinone revealed inhibition of the rate of Ca2+ accumulation. This effect was absent when ATP hydrolysis or NAD+-dependent substrate oxidation supported Ca2+ transport. Direct measurements of oxygen consumption revealed the concentration-dependent inhibition of succinate oxidation by increasing concentrations of 2,5-di-(t-butyl)- 1,4 benzohydroquinone. When succinate was substituted by NAD+-dependent respiratory substrates, the Ca2+ capacity of mitochondria with 2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4 benzohydroquinone was even higher than in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene.

Radical intensity and cytotoxicity of butylated hydroxyanisole and its orthobisphenol dimer.

The radical intensity of BHA (4-Hydroxy-3-t-butylanisole) and its dimer (3,3'-Di-t-butyl-5,5'-dimethoxy-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol, Bis-BHA) were compared with their cytotoxic activity. ESR spectroscopy showed that BHA produced characteristic five peaks of radicals under alkaline conditions (pH > 9.5). At higher pH, BHA radical rapidly disappeared, and progressively transformed into new radical species, as detected by the splitting of the ESR signal. BHA showed higher cytotoxic activity against salivary gland tumor cell line than against normal human gingival fibroblast. On the other hand, Bis-BHA did not produce any detectable amounts of radicals at wide ranges of pH, corresponding with its weaker cytotoxic activity as compared with BHA. BHA scavenged DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical and superoxide anion, more efficiently than Bis-BHA. The present study demonstrated that BHA is more cytotoxic, produces higher amounts of radicals and more efficiently scavenges various radical species, as compared with Bis-BHA. This suggests the possible link between the cytotoxic activity and radical generation/scavenging activity in BHA-derived compounds.

Measurement of synthetic phenolic antioxidants in human tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography with coulometric electrochemical detection.

The antioxidants, 2-tert.-butyl-4-methoxyphenol (BHA) and its oxidative peroxidation product 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3'-di-tert.-butyl-5,5'-dimethoxybiphenyl (di-BHA), 3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) and propyl gallate, were measured in plasma and tissue homogenates by HPLC and electrochemical detection, with a sensitivity down to 0.2 (BHA), 0.1 (di-BHA), 0.4 (BHT) and 1 (propyl gallate) ng ml(-1) of plasma or tissue homogenate. The data demonstrate that in man, at the current level of exposure to dietary antioxidants, significant amounts of BHA, BHT and propyl gallate are accumulated in the omentum. Furthermore, they provide the first evidence that the peroxidase-catalysed oxidation of BHA is operative in man.

On the mechanisms of 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole- and its metabolites-induced cytotoxicities in isolated rat hepatocytes.

The cytotoxic effects of 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) and its metabolites, 3-tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) and 3-tert-butyl-4,5-dihydroxyanisole (BHA-OH), were investigated in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. These compounds caused a time-dependent cell death accompanied by loss of intracellular ATP, glutathione (GSH) and protein thiols at concentration of 0.5 mM. Supplementation of the hepatocyte suspension with 5 mM N-acetylcysteine, a precursor of intracellular GSH, significantly delayed the onset of cytotoxicity induced by BHA-OH and tBHQ; the loss of intracellular ATP, GSH and protein thiols was also prevented. Although N-acetylcysteine did not affect BHA disappearance in the cell suspension, disappearance of tBHQ and formation of tBHQ-GSH conjugate were stimulated by N-acetylcysteine. In addition, N-acetylcysteine prevented BHA-OH disappearance and 3-tert-butyl-5-methoxy-1,2-benzoquinone (BHA-Q) formation. In isolated hepatic mitochondria, BHA, tBHQ and BHA-OH impaired respiration related to oxidative phosphorylation; tert-butylquinone (tBQ) and BHA-Q, quinones derived from tBHQ and BHA-OH, resulted in the significant inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. These results indicate that BHA-OH is the most cytotoxic followed by tBHQ and BHA and that protein thiols and mitochondrial respiratory system are important targets for BHA and its intermediates.

Specificity of induction of cancer protective enzymes by analogues of tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA).

Protection by 2(3)-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) and related phenols against chemical carcinogens, mutagens and other toxins has been attributed to the elevation of tissue levels of non-oxygenative detoxification enzymes. To analyze the mechanisms and specificity of these enzyme inductions, we synthesized a series of mono- and dialkyl ethers of tert-butylhydroquinone (R1O-[(CH3)3C-C6H3]-OR2) and its dimer. The abilities of these compounds to elevate the cytosolic specific activities of glutathione S-transferases (measured with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene) and of NAD(P)H: quinone reductase in liver, upper small intestine and forestomach of female CD-1 mice were evaluated. The animals were fed five daily doses of 50 mumoles of each monomer (or 25 mumoles of each dimer). The structures of the monomers examined were: R1 = H and R2 = CH3 (I), R2 = C2H5 (VI), R2 = (CH2)2CH3 (VIII), R2 = CH(CH3)2 (X); R1 = CH3 and R2 = C2H5 (VII), R2 = (CH2)2CH3 (IX), R2 = CH(CH3)2(XI); R2 = CH3 and R1 = C2H5(III), R1 = (CH2)2CH3(IV) and R1 = CH(CH3)2 (V). In addition, the monomethyl (XIII), monoethyl (XIV) and mono-n-propyl (XV) ethers of BHA dimer (XII; 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3'-di-tert-butyl-5,5'-dimethoxybiphenyl) were also prepared. Under the conditions tested, all compounds were ineffective as enzyme inducers in the forestomach but produced coordinate induction of enzymes (generally 2- to 6-fold) in the cytosols of liver and mucosa of proximal small intestine. Increases in bulk of R1 and R2 beyond methyl groups tended to decrease the inductive potency of both monomers and dimers. The lack of strict structural specificity suggests that the induction depends on metabolic conversion of the analogues to common types of metabolites.

Protective effects of butylated hydroxyanisole and its analogs on the lung toxicity of butylated hydroxytoluene in mice.

Dietary administration of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and its analogs, 2-tert-butyl-1,4-dimethoxybenzene, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol, and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol resulted in complete protection against the lung toxicity of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in mice. The protective effects of these compounds could not be accounted for by their ability to enhance glutathione (GSH) S-transferase activity in the lung and/or liver.

Metabolism of 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole to 3-tert-butyl-4,5-dihydroxyanisole by rat liver microsomes.

3-tert-Butylhydroxyanisole (3-BHA) is an antioxidant which can have a modulating effect on chemical carcinogenesis. Information concerning the metabolism of 3-BHA is incomplete. In the present study, the metabolites formed by incubating 3-BHA with liver microsomes from rats given beta-naphthoflavone by p.o. intubation were studied. Three metabolites were identified, two major metabolites and a minor metabolite. One of the major metabolites was the catechol of 3-BHA, i.e., 3-tert-butyl-4,5-dihydroxyanisole, which has not previously been reported. A characteristic of this compound is its capacity to be oxidized readily. The second major metabolite was tert-butyl hydroquinone which has been reported previously to be a liver microsomal metabolite of 3-BHA. The third metabolite, which occurred in small quantities, was 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3'-di-tert-butyl-5,5'-dimethoxydiphenyl. 2,2'-Dihydroxy-3,3'-di-tert-butyl-5,5'-dimethoxydiphenyl has been identified previously as a major metabolite of 3-BHA in the rat intestine. An understanding of the metabolism of 3-BHA may assist in elucidating the mechanism(s) of its biological effects.

Distribution and metabolism of 2-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenol in the everted rat gut preparation.

The distribution of BHA and its conversion to di-BHA in the everted rat gut preparation was monitored by GC/MS analysis of both compounds in the mucosal and serosal side solutions and in the ileum wall. Following 1 h incubation at 27 degrees C, BHA concentration in the mucosal side solution was found to decay from an initial value of 0.1 mM down to 0.033 mM, while in the ileum it reached a 0.35 mM concentration. The amount of di-BHA found at this time in the ileum wall accounted for the transformation of 5% of the amount of BHA present in this compartment.