Effects of palm carotenoids in rat hepatic cytochrome P450-mediated benzo(a)pyrene metabolism

Using benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) metabolism as a probe for chemical carcinogenesis, in vitro and in vivo effects of palm-oil carotenoid [beta-carotene (BC), alpha-carotene (AC), or canthaxanthin (CTX)] on BaP metabolism in the rat hepatic cytochrome P450-mediated monooxygenase system were studied. Apparent Michaelis-Menten constants (Km) for formation of the precursor carcinogen, 7,8-dihydrodiol BaP, were found to be 14.4 (BC), 1.74 (AC), and 0.7 (CTX) mumol/L. The order of anticarcinogenic strength established in this study was BC much greater than AC greater than CTX. Increased formation of the detoxification intermediate, 3-hydroxy BaP, with increased carotenoid concentration was observed. The order of detoxification strength was BC greater than AC = CTX. The presence of carotenoids in vivo inhibited BaP metabolism. Using 9,10-dihydrodiol BaP as an indicator for inhibition, the order of the antioxidative activity was palm oil (with carotenoids) greater than BC greater than CTX greater than palm oil (without carotenoids). BC and AC may selectively modify the rat-liver microsomal enzymes, thus providing a biochemical mechanism for the inhibitory effect of palm carotenoids on chemical carcinogenesis.

Comparison of two locus of control scales in predicting relapse in an alcoholic population

A 3-mo. follow-up was made of 64 male veterans who were discharged from a 21-day Alcohol Detoxification Treatment Program at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Lyons, NJ. Scores on the Rotter I-E and Alcohol Responsibility Scales were significantly correlated with tendencies toward a more external direction among the 13% who relapsed, significant on the I-E scale and nonsignificant on the Alcohol Responsibility Scale. When tests were compared as possible predictor variables of alcoholic relapse, the difference in favor of the I-E scale was statistically nonsignificant.

Separation of tocopherol and tocotrienol isomers using normal- and reverse-phase liquid chromatography

This optimization study for tocopherols and tocotrienols involved both normal- and reverse-phase liquid chromatography using various columns and mobile phases. Normal-phase systems showed elution of the homologs in order of increasing polarity with separation based on methyl substituents on the chromanol moiety. Reverse-phase systems showed class separation based on the saturation of the phytyl side chain; the more saturated tocopherols were retained on the column longer. When the Zorbax ODS was used with an isocratic ternary acetonitrile:methanol:methylene chloride (60:35:5) mixture, the optimized resolution was greater than 2.0 and separation was achieved in less than 13 min, but there was no separation of beta- and gamma-tocopherols. The normal-phase silica and amino columns provided separation of all available isomers with resolution greater than 1.1 and separation times of less than 5.5 and less than 10 min, respectively. Optimized isocratic binary solvent mixtures of hexane:2-propanol were used for silica (99:1) and amino (98:2) columns. Derivative spectra showed differences depending on substituents in the chromanol moiety but not the phytyl side chain. Second- and fourth-derivative spectra gave the best differentiation of the vitamin E isomers.

Analysis of palm oil carotenoids by HPLC with diode-array detection

Palm oil carotenoids are analyzed by nonaqueous reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (NARP-HPLC) with UV/vis diode-array detection. Isocratic elution with 60% acetonitrile/35% methanol/5% methylene chloride at 2 mL/min on a 25-cm C18 column results in an analysis time of 30 min. Identification is made through absorption spectra and chromatographic elution behaviors, for example, polyenic pi conjugation, dipole moment of end-groups, and oxygen function on the chromophores. At least 12 carotenoids are identified with alpha- and beta-carotene as the dominant carotenoids (1:2 ratio). Several mono- and di-epoxides of alpha- and beta-isomers and hydrocarbon carotenes are found, including the UV-absorbing phytoene identified by spectral substraction. cis-Isomerization is found and discussed in the light of spectral evidence. The effect of saponification time on the amount of extracted carotenes is investigated. Quantitation results in a combined alpha- and beta-carotene concentration of at least 506 ppm. The detection limit for beta-carotene is 31 ng.

A surface molecule on guinea pig lymphocytes involved in adhesion and homing

A monoclonal antibody, CT 4, which recognizes an antigenic determinant on the majority of guinea pig lymphocytes, was tested for its ability to interfere with adherence and homing capacity of lymphocytes. Incubation with F(ab')2 fragments of the antibody blocks the in vitro binding to high endothelial venules (HEV) of both peripheral lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. When tested in vivo using a short-term homing assay with radiolabeled cells also a reduction of migration into the spleen was observed. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis of lymph node cells showed a separation into duller and brightly positive cells whereas in the thymus the bright population is absent. Thymus cells adhere less effectively to HEV and this binding can only marginally be blocked by CT 4 incubation. The results suggest a role of CT 4 in adhesion processes.

Beta-zeacarotene of the bovine ovary

An investigation of the carotenoids from a bovine ovary extract has revealed the presence of three Porter-Lincoln pathway intermediates of which beta-zeacarotene is previously unreported. Analysis using spectrophotometric and chemical tests reveals beta-zeacarotene (2.14 micrograms/g), alpha-carotene (0.11 microgram/g), and beta-carotene (27 and 35 micrograms/g).

The Barrier to Rotation in 9,10-Bis(2,3-dimethylphenyl)phenanthrene: Conformational Interconversion Observed at High Temperatures by Means of Gas Chromatography

A mixture of the syn and anti conformers of 9,10-bis(2,3- dimethylphenyl ) phenanthrene was prepared. The unexpectedly high energy barrier for the free rotation of the two aryl rings is described. Variable temperature 1H n.m.r . studies failed to provide thermodynamic data for the conformational inter-conversion due to limitations in practicably measurable temperature range. The energies of activation for both interconversion processes were, however, determined by gas chromatographic studies in the temperature range of 225-300°C.