[An investigation for (clinico-) toxicological screening of detergents].

In recent years, we sporadically had some cases of accidental ingestion of drinks contaminated with detergent. In such cases it is necessary to identify the detergent for medical care or criminal investigation. Therefore, we made an attempt to establish a simple screening method of detergents, including household detergents, dishwashing detergents and shampoos using color reaction, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). In color reaction and TLC tests, it was possible to identify the individual sample. In the GPC test, several samples showed characteristic chromatograms, and even the same types of detergents did not give the same chromatogram patterns. From the above-mentioned results, it was suggested that this simple and rapid method may practically be useful to predict the contamination of detergent when controls are available, although not suitable for classification of detergent types.

Epigallocatechin gallate increase the prostacyclin production of bovine aortic endothelial cells.

We describe the effect of (-) epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), one of catechins known in tea, on the prostacyclin (PGI) production by bovine aortic endothelial cells. The amounts of 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) and Delta(17)-6-keto-PGF(1alpha), stable metabolites of PGI(2) and PGI(3), released in culture medium were measured using gas chromatography/selected ion monitoring (GC/SIM). The prostacyclin production of endothelial cells was increased by EGCg in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The effect by EGCg was stronger than any other catechins (catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, and epicatechin gallate). When endothelial cells incubated with EGCg and arachidonic acid (AA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), PGI(2), and PGI(3) production were increased greater than those incubated with AA or EPA alone. Furthermore, gallic acid, that also has a pyrogallol structure, increased PGI(2) production. These observations indicate that catechins increase the prostacyclin production and that the pyrogallol structure is significant to this function.

Extra-weak chemiluminescence produced by autoxidation of kampo extract preparations stored in heat-stressed conditions.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of extra-weak chemiluminescence (CL) measurement as a rapid method to estimate the stability of Kampo extract preparations. It was found that the Kampo drugs that emit little CL were stable, while those with higher CL were comparatively unstable with regard to the various stability markers, including change of coloration (browning), contents of specific ingredients, high molecular compounds, amino acids and sugars under various conditions of heat storage. Excellent correlation existed between the CL of Kampo drugs and the coloration (delta E* (ab)) and the other above-mentioned evaluation markers. From this investigation, it was deduced that the CL of Kampo drugs originates in the early stage of the Maillard reaction and reflects the stability of the preparations, and that CL is useful for estimating the stability of Kampo drugs.

Extra-weak chemiluminescence of drugs. XV. Method for determining stability of Toki-shakuyaku-san extract granules.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the quality of Toki-shakuyaku-san extract granules (TJ-23) using chemiluminescence (CL). A linear relationship was obtained between the log value of the CL of TJ-23 and the reaction temperature. An excellent correlation (r = 0.999) was found between the slope of this curve (delta A) and the colour intensity due to the browning reaction occurring at the early stage of the Maillard reaction.

[Extra-weak chemiluminescence of drugs. XIV. Quenching effects of anthraquinones on the extra-weak chemiluminescence from lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates].

Quenching effects of anthraquinones on the extra-weak chemiluminescence (CL) derived from lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates were investigated. Such anthraquinone derivatives as emodin, rhein, and alizarin quenched the CL, while anthraquinone did not quench the CL. A linear relationship between CL-quenching activity and inhibitory rate of malondialdehyde production of various compounds was demonstrated. This technique is useful for the screening method of antioxidants.

Extra-weak chemiluminescence of drugs. XII. Effect of the molar ratio of amino acid to sugar on extra-weak chemiluminescence in the Maillard reaction.

The extra-weak chemiluminescence in the Maillard reaction caused by the reaction between L-lysine and D-arabinose was measured, and a linear relationship was found between the chemiluminescence and the amount of L-lysine added. After a 1-hour reaction equimolar amounts of D-arabinose and L-lysine were consumed regardless of the initial concentration of D-arabinose. The chemiluminescence of the Maillard reaction originates from Maillard reaction products formed by the equimolar reaction between sugar and amino acid and depends on the concentration of amino acid.

Capillary column pyrolysis-gas chromatography of hair: a short study in personal identification.

Human head hairs from 18 individuals were analysed by capillary column pyrolysis-gas chromatography (PyGC). The pyrograms showed several components, three of which were found to differ significantly among individuals. These major components were identified as benzene, toluene and styrene by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. As the result of capillary column PyGC of 18 amino acids, it was found that differences among the individuals were due to the different amounts of particular amino acids in the hair. The quantities of the components were, further, found not to change in 18 months.

[Identification of automotive lubricants and other heavy oils by isotachophoresis].

Automotive lubricants were analysed by isotachophoresis for the purpose of identification of lubricants and suspected stains adhered to victims in traffic accidents. As the results, it was found that each lubricant showed a characteristic isotachophreogram even if they were manufactured by the same maker, and that the isotachopherogram of the lubricant changed in proportion to the running distance of an automobile. Each lubricant had its own changing rate. Moreover, A, B, C heavy oils, asphalt, soy sauce and sauce, which apparently resembled lubricants when they adhered to victims, were analysed with this method. They were found to be clearly different from lubricants in isotachopherogram and they could be discriminated from lubricants. Therefore, it was found that lubricants could be easily identified or discriminated from other lubricants such as engine oils, gear oils and other oils by comparing their isotachopherograms obtained with this method in a short time. It was, however, difficult to suggest the maker of a lubricant from isotachopherogram. We conclude from these observations that isotachophoresis method is useful for the analysis of lubricants in case of traffic accidents.

Comparison of naturally occurring poliovirus-reactive immunoglobulins in bovine and equine sera.

Bovine and equine sera were screened for poliovirus-reactive immunoglobulins (PRIgs) by means of neutralization and precipitation reactions with type 1 poliovirus. Bovine serum B1826 and B36 were found to contain such PRIgs from their reactivity to various PRIgs-resistant mutants of type 1 poliovirus origin. Neutralization and precipitation reactions with six mono-specific antibodies obtained by absorbing antiserum with each of the six different PRIgs-resistant virus mutants revealed that three antibodies were active in precipitation reaction while the others were substantially ineffective. On the basis of the results obtained and the findings reported to date, the mechanism of production of PRIgs in bovine and equine sera was discussed.

Antigenic variation of poliovirus caused by antibody components with different specificities.

The possible role of antibody as a selective pressure on antigenic mutants of poliovirus in nature was investigated in vitro. A mutant resistant to a monospecific antibody with a definite specificity was readily obtained by several cycles of neutralization of Mahoney strain with a monospecific antibody and multiplication in monkey kidney (MS) cells. Mutants resistant to more than two different monospecific antibodies were also readily obtained in a similar manner. Studies on the antigenicity of these mutants by kinetic neutralization tests revealed that the Mahoney strain underwent a progressive serological variation as it became successively resistant to one to five different monospecific antibodies isolated from anti-Mahoney serum.