Abstract 1635: Effect of dietary fish oil on rat colonic prostaglandin (PG) E2 metabolism

PGE2, an eicosanoid generated from arachidonic acid (AA) by the cyclooxygenase function of prostaglandin H synthases (PGHS)-1 and 2, has been linked to the risk of many cancers including colorectal carcinogenesis. Targeting colonic PGE2 homeostasis by utilizing nutritional products such as fish oil may reduce endogenous PGE2 that, in turn, may decrease subsequent inflammatory events that lead to carcinogenesis. Rats were fed high fat fish oil diets contained different ratios of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and n-6 fatty acid. The colon was horizontally divided into three equal length transections, first (proximal end), second (transverse) and third (distal end). Enzymes involved in PGE2 metabolism (15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) and PGE synthase (mPGES)) were measured using quantitative PCR and semi-quantitative Western Blotting. GC-MS analysis was performed to detect fatty acid levels in serum and colon. LC-MS/MS analysis was used to examine eicosanoid levels. Our results showed that the colonic epithelial mucosa contained less PGE2 per mg of protein than did the whole colon. Colonic PGE2 and several eicosanoids including 13-Hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid(13HODE), 5-Hydroxyeico-satetraenoic acid (5 HETE), 15-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15 HETE) and 12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12 HETE) were distributed differentially in different part of the colon. Dietary fish oil intake increased tissue levels of EPA in the colon. PGHS-2 gene was affected the most by dietary fish oil among all the genes tested in normal colon. Fish oil dose-dependently decreased PGHS-2 mRNA expression in all three colon sections. mRNA expression of 15-PGDH was higher in the third colonic section than the first two sections; however it was not altered by dietary fish oil. In conclusion, different parts of the colon have different eicosanoid profiles. The decreases in PGE2 in normal colon observed with fish oil feeding do not appear to be related to expression of PGHS-1, mPGES and 15-PGDH but are most closely correlated with PGHS-2 despite that PGHS-2 levels are already low in the normal colon. These data support the concept of anatomic variability in colonic carcinogenesis.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1635. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1635

Mapping and fine mapping of quantitative trait loci for the number of vertebrae in a White Duroc × Chinese Erhualian intercross resource population

The number of vertebrae is associated with body size and meat production in pigs. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the number of vertebrae, phenotypic values were measured in 1029 individuals from a White Duroc × Chinese Erhualian intercross F(2) population. A whole genome scan was performed with 194 microsatellite markers in the F(2) population. Four genome-wide significant QTL and eight chromosome-wide significant QTL for the number of vertebrae were identified on pig chromosomes (SSC) 1, 2, 6, 7, 10 and 12. The most significant QTL was detected on SSC7 with a confidence interval of 1 cM, explaining 42.32% of the phenotypic variance in the thoracic vertebral number. The significant QTL on SSC1, 2 and 7 confirmed previous reports. A panel of 276 animals representing seven Western and Chinese breeds was genotyped with 34 microsatellite markers in the SSC7 QTL region. No obvious selective sweep effect was observed in the tested breeds, indicating that intensive selection for enlarged body size in Western commercial breeds did not wipe out the genetic variability in the QTL region. The Q alleles for increased vertebral number originated from both Chinese Erhualian and White Duroc founder animals. A haplotype block of approximately 900 kb was found to be shared by all Q-bearing chromosomes of F(1) sires except for one distinct Q chromosome. The critical region harbours the newly reported VRTN gene associated with vertebral number. Further investigations are required to confirm whether VRTN or two other positional candidate genes, PROX2 and FOS, cause the QTL effect.

Effect of fish oil on levels of R- and S-enantiomers of 5-, 12-, and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids in mouse colonic mucosa

The balance of putative pro- and antiinflammatory lipoxygenase (LOX)-derived S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (S-HETEs) in colon mucosa is a potential target for modulating colon cancer risk and progression. The biological effects of S-HETEs and R-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (produced by distinct pathways) may differ, but levels of these compounds in the colon are unknown. The objective of this study was to develop chiral methods to characterize hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (HETE) enantiomers in colonic mucosa and evaluate the effects of fish oil on HETE formation. C57BL/6 mice (COX-1 null, COX-2 null, wild-type) were fed a diet supplemented with either olive oil or menhaden oil for 11 wk, and R-/S-HETEs in colonic mucosa were quantified by chiral LC-MS/MS. The R-enantiomer comprised 60-72% of 5-HETE, 18-58% of 15-HETE, and 1-16% of 12-HETE in colonic mucosa, suggesting that non-LOX sources contribute to HETE profiles. Fish oil reduced levels of both R- and S-HETEs, and increased the preponderance of the R-enantiomers (particularly 12- and 15-HETEs). There was apparent shunting of arachidonic acid to 12-/15-LOX in the COX-1 null animals. This is the first report of the enantiomeric composition of HETEs in the colon in vivo and shows large effects of fish oil in the normal colon.

FAT10 mediates the effect of TNF-α in inducing chromosomal instability

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays important roles in chronic inflammation-associated tumorigenesis but the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Previously, we reported that high levels of FAT10 led to chromosomal instability that is mediated by an abbreviated mitotic phase. Here, we show that TNF-α induces FAT10 gene expression through TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and activates the NF-κB pathway in HCT116 and SW620 cells. TNF-α treatment also leads to an abbreviated mitotic phase that can be reversed by inhibiting FAT10 expression. This abbreviated mitotic phase is correlated with a TNF-α-induced reduction in the kinetochore localization of MAD2 during prometaphase which, again, can be reversed by inhibiting FAT10 gene expression. There is greater variability of chromosome numbers in HCT116 and SW620 cells treated with TNF-α than in untreated cells, which can be reversed by the introduction of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against FAT10. The more stable chromosome numbers in HCT116 cells expressing FAT10 shRNA can revert to greater variability with the addition of a mutant FAT10 that is not recognized by the FAT10 shRNA. Upon TNF-α stimulation, higher cell death is observed when FAT10 expression is inhibited by shRNA. These data strongly suggest that FAT10 plays an important role in mediating the function of TNF-α during tumorigenesis by inducing cell cycle deregulation and chromosomal instability, and by inhibiting apoptosis.

Detection of quantitative trait loci for growth- and fatness-related traits in a large-scale White Duroc × Erhualian intercross pig population

Growth and fatness are economically important traits in pigs. In this study, a genome scan was performed to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for 14 growth and fatness traits related to body weight, backfat thickness and fat weight in a large-scale White Duroc × Erhualian F(2) intercross. A total of 76 genome-wide significant QTL were mapped to 16 chromosomes. The most significant QTL was found on pig chromosome (SSC) 7 for fatness with unexpectedly small confidence intervals of ∼2 cM, providing an excellent starting point to identify causal variants. Common QTL for both fatness and growth traits were found on SSC4, 5, 7 and 8, and shared QTL for fat deposition were detected on SSC1, 2 and X. Time-series analysis of QTL for body weight at six growth stages revealed the continuously significant effects of the QTL on SSC4 at the fattening period and the temporal-specific expression of the QTL on SSC7 at the foetus and fattening stages. For fatness traits, Chinese Erhualian alleles were associated with increased fat deposition except that at the major QTL on SSC7. For growth traits, most of White Duroc alleles enhanced growth rates except for those at three significant QTL on SSC6, 7 and 9. The results confirmed many previously reported QTL and also detected novel QTL, revealing the complexity of the genetic basis of growth and fatness in pigs.

Structures of respiratory syncytial virus nucleocapsid protein from two crystal forms: details of potential packing interactions in the native helical form

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a frequent cause of respiratory illness in infants, but there is currently no vaccine nor effective drug treatment against this virus. The RSV RNA genome is encapsidated and protected by a nucleocapsid protein; this RNA-nucleocapsid complex serves as a template for viral replication. Interest in the nucleocapsid protein has increased owing to its recent identification as the target site for novel anti-RSV compounds. The crystal structure of human respiratory syncytial virus nucleocapsid (HRSVN) was determined to 3.6 Å resolution from two crystal forms belonging to space groups P2(1)2(1)2(1) and P1, with one and four decameric rings per asymmetric unit, respectively. In contrast to a previous structure of HRSVN, the addition of phosphoprotein was not required to obtain diffraction-quality crystals. The HRSVN structures reported here, although similar to the recently published structure, present different molecular packing which may have some biological implications. The positions of the monomers are slightly shifted in the decamer, confirming the adaptability of the ring structure. The details of the inter-ring contacts in one crystal form revealed here suggest a basis for helical packing and that the stabilization of native HRSVN is via mainly ionic interactions.

Effect of cyclooxygenase genotype and dietary fish oil on colonic eicosanoids in mice

Dietary ω3 fatty acids can modulate substrate availability for cyclooxygenases (COXs) and lipoxygenases, thus modulating downstream eicosanoid formation. This could be an alternative approach to using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other COX inhibitors for limiting Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthesis in colon cancer prevention. The aims of this study were to evaluate to what extent COX- and lipoxygenase-derived products could be modulated by dietary fish oil in normal colonic mucosa and to evaluate the role of COX-1 and COX-2 in the formation of these products. Mice (wild-type, COX-1 null or COX-2 null) were fed a diet supplying a broad mixture of fatty acids present in European/American diets, supplemented with either olive oil (oleate control diet) or menhaden (fish) oil ad libitum for 9-11 weeks. Colonic eicosanoid levels were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS), and proliferation was assessed by Ki67 immunohistochemistry. For the dietary alteration of colonic arachidonic acid: eicosapentaenoic ratios resulted in large shifts in formation of COX and lipoxygenase metabolites. COX-1 knockout virtually abolished PGE(2) formation, but interestingly, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (12-HETE) acid and 15-HETE formation was increased. The large changes in eicosanoid profiles were accompanied by relatively small changes in colonic crypt proliferation, but such changes in eicosanoid formation might have greater biological impact upon carcinogen challenge. These results indicate that in normal colon, inhibition of COX-2 would have little effect on reducing PGE(2) levels.

A Diet and Exercise Intervention during Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Weight gain is an important concern that impacts on breast cancer outcomes and general health in survivorship. This randomized, pilot study evaluated whether or not women could comply with a weight control program that is initiated at the beginning of chemotherapy for breast cancer. The program sought to prevent weight gain using a low-fat, high fruit-vegetable diet combined with moderate physical activity. The intervention was implemented using a telephone counseling approach that blended motivational interviewing with social cognitive theory. A total of 40 women were recruited over 9 months at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. This represents 55% of eligible women referred to the study and indicates that interest in a healthy lifestyle program at the initiation of chemotherapy for breast cancer was high. Subjects who dropped out had significantly lower fruit and vegetable intakes and lower blood carotenoids at baseline than subjects who completed the study. Statistically significant beneficial effects were observed on fruit and vegetable intakes, physical activity and breast cancer-specific well-being by the intervention. Mean body fat from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry increased in the written materials arm and decreased in the intervention arm. Of the enrolled women, 75% completed 12 months on study and satisfaction with study participation was high. These data indicate that lifestyle intervention during breast cancer treatment is feasible during treatment with chemotherapy for breast cancer and benefits women in several domains.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in rural and urban Chinese population in Qingdao

AIMS

To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in both rural and urban Chinese population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A population-based crosssectional survey was conducted in Qingdao, China in 2006 with 6100 Chinese aged 35-74 yr invited and 5355 who attended; 3357 subjects, 1562 urban (46.5%) and 1795 rural residents (53.5%) met the inclusion criteria for the current data analysis. The metabolic syndrome definitions of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Expert Panel III (NCEPATPIII) 2004, NCEP 2005 and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) were used.

RESULTS

The age-standardized prevalences of metabolic syndrome were 16.2%, 32.2%, and 28.3% in men and 26.8%, 37.2%, and 34.6%in women, according to the definitions of the NCEP 2004, NCEP 2005, and IDF, respectively. Urban men have more risk factors and higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome than rural men, but the differences in women were not that striking. Elevated blood pressure (62.6%) was, among risk factors, most common in the study population, followed by central obesity (53.4%), and hyperglycemia (52.2%) defined using the NCEP 2005 criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolic disorders were common among adult Chinese in both rural and urban areas in Qingdao.

Proinflammatory protein CARD9 is essential for infiltration of monocytic fibroblast precursors and cardiac fibrosis caused by Angiotensin II infusion

Background

Angiotensin II (Ang II)–induced cardiac remodeling with the underlying mechanisms involving inflammation and fibrosis has been well documented. Cytosolic adaptor caspase recruitment domain 9 (CARD9) has been implicated in the innate immune response. We aimed to examine the role of CARD9 in inflammation and cardiac fibrosis induced by Ang II.

Methods

Two-month-old CARD9-deficient (CARD9^−/−) and wild-type (WT) male mice were infused with Ang II (1,500 ng/kg/min) or saline for 7 days. Heart sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome and examined by immunohistochemistry; and activity and protein levels were measured in macrophages obtained from mice.

Results

WT mice with Ang II infusion showed a marked increase in CARD9⁺ macrophages in the heart, but CARD9^−/− mice showed significantly suppressed macrophage infiltration and expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Importantly, Ang II–induced cardiac fibrosis (extracellular matrix and collagen I deposition) was diminished in CARD9^−/− hearts, as was the expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and level of myofibroblasts positive for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Furthermore, Ang II activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in WT macrophages was reduced in CARD9^−/− macrophages.

Conclusion

CARD9 plays an important role in regulating cardiac inflammation and fibrosis in response to elevated Ang II.

The association of gamma-glutamyltransferase and C-reactive protein with IFG/IGT in Chinese adults in Qingdao, China

BACKGROUND

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and C-reactive protein(CRP) have been previously shown to be associated with impaired fasting glucose/impaired glucose tolerance (IFG/IGT), but such an association has not been well verified, and is examined in a non-diabetic Chinese population.

METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2006 in Qingdao, China. Data of 1143 men and 1689 women aged 35-74 years and free of diabetes at baseline were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Compared with the lowest quartile, the ORs (95%CI) for IFG/IGT corresponding to the highest quartile were 0.89(0.61,1.28) in men and 0.87(0.64,1.18) in women for CRP and 2.12(1.40,3.38) and 1.87(1.32,2.62) for GGT, when the two were fitted simultaneously in a model adjusting for age, school years, alcohol-drinking, smoking, family history of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein.

CONCLUSIONS

The elevated GGT, but not CRP, was independently associated with the presence of the IFG/IGT in both genders in this Chinese population.

The heart: a novel gonadotrophin-releasing hormone target

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a hypothalamic hormone transported by the hypophyseal portal bloodstream to the pituitary gland, where it binds to GnRH receptors. However, GnRH receptors are expressed in multiple extrapituitary tissues, although their physiological relevance is not fully understood. GnRH agonists are employed extensively in steroid deprivation therapy, especially to suppress testosterone in prostate cancer. Because GnRH agonist treatment is associated with increased coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction, we investigated the impact of GnRH on cardiomyocyte contractile function. Cardiomyocytes were isolated from mouse hearts and mechanical and intracellular Ca(2+) properties were evaluated, including peak shortening amplitude (PS), time-to-PS (TPS), time-to-90% relengthening (TR(90) ), maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (± dLdt), electrically-stimulated rise in Fura-2 fluorescence intensity (ΔFFI) and Ca(2+) decay. GnRH (1 ng/ml) increased PS, ± dL/dt, resting FFI and ΔFFI, and prolonged TPS, TR(90) and Ca(2+) decay time, whereas 1 pg/ml GnRH affected all these cardiomyocyte variables, except TPS, resting FFI and ΔFFI. A concentration of 1 fg/ml GnRH and the GnRH cleavage product, GnRH-[1-5] (300 pg/ml), had no effect on any cardiomyocyte parameter. The 1 pg/ml GnRH-elicited responses were attenuated by the GnRH receptor antagonist cetrorelix (10 μm), the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89 (1 μm) but not the protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine chloride (1 μm). These data revealed that GnRH is capable of regulating cardiac contractile function via a GnRH receptor/PKA-dependent mechanism. If present in the human heart, dysfunction of such a system may play an important role in cardiac pathology observed in men treated with GnRH agonists for prostate cancer.

Inhibition of NADPH oxidase alleviates experimental diabetes-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction

AIM

O(2) (-) production is implicated in cardiac dysfunction for a number of diseases including diabetes. Activation of the O(2) (-)-producing enzyme NADPH oxidase is seen in diabetes, although its role in diabetic cardiomyopathy is unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of NADPH oxidase inhibition on cardiac function in diabetes.

METHODS

Experimental diabetes was induced in adult C57 mice using streptozotocin (STZ, 150 mg/kg, i.p.) prior to the administration of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin (4 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Left ventricular (LV) and myocyte contractile functions were evaluated using echocardiography and edge-detection, respectively.

RESULTS

STZ elicited hyperglycaemia and reduced body weight gain, which was unaffected by apocynin. STZ significantly reduced fractional shortening, LV wall thickness, peak shortening, maximal velocity and duration of shortening or relengthening, the effects of which - with the exception of wall thickness - were significantly attenuated or ablated by apocynin. Western blot analysis revealed that the effects of comparable Akt phosphorylation, reduced AMPK phosphorylation, downregulation of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase and lessened phosphorylation of phospholamban in diabetic myocardium were unaffected by apocynin. Both apocynin and the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) inhibited elevated O(2) (-) production in diabetes without any additive effect between the two, indicating the presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling. However, neither diabetes nor apocynin altered the expression of heat shock protein 90 and eNOS phosphorylation (Ser(1177)). In addition, apocynin mitigated elevated levels of nitrotyrosine and nitric oxide in diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these data indicate the beneficial role of NADPH oxidase inhibition in diabetes-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction.

Significant, but limited collateral blood flow increases occur with prolonged training in rats with femoral artery occlusion

This study examined the capacity of collateral dependent blood flow induced by a prolonged treadmill training program, as compared to a low collateral resistance model created by femoral artery to vein (A-V) shunt. Sprague-Dawley rats, with bilateral femoral artery occlusion were confined to cage activity (Sed, n=9) or trained by daily treadmill exercise (Tr, n=15; up to ≈350 min/d) for 15 weeks. Another set of animals received a femoral A-V anastomosis in one limb and treated with (n=4) or without VEGF(165) (n=9) infusion for 2 weeks. The contralateral side was used as control. Blood flow (BF) was measured with isotope labeled microspheres. Maximal calf muscle BF increased by 15 week training (up to 100±5.0 ml x min(-1) x 100g(-1) (p<0.05); 0.71±0.04 ml x min(-1) x 100g(-1) x mmHg(-1)), a response better (20-25%) than the less demanding training programs used previously. In contrast, femoral A-V shunt with VEGF(165) increased calf muscle conductance to 1.70±0.3 ml x min(-1) x 100 g(-1) x mmHg(-1) that is similar to blood flows observed in non-occluded rats during maximal running. Our data indicate that the collateral circuit development is related to the driving stimulus and that exercise training, does not provide a maximal stimulus for adaptation that is possible. Nonetheless, exercise training results in profound increases in exercise capacity associated with this enhanced collateral blood flow. Our results illustrate that vascular adaptations can be much greater when physiologically induced stimuli are enhanced at the time of therapeutic angiogenesis.

High throughput analyses of epistasis for swine body dimensions and organ weights

High throughput analyses were performed to detect epistatic QTL in 17 body dimension and organ weight traits from a large F(2) pig population derived from a White Duroc and Erhualian intercross. The analyses used a nested test framework to handle multiple tests and a combined search algorithm to map epistatic QTL with empirical genome-wide thresholds derived via prior permutation. Alternative statistical models (e.g. including vs. excluding carcass weight as a covariate) were tested to develop an in-depth understanding of the role of epistasis in these kinds of traits. Epistasis signals were detected in only two or three traits under each statistical model studied. The interaction component of each pair of epistatic QTL explained a small proportion (0.7 to 2.1%) of the phenotypic variance in general. About half of the detected epistatic QTL pairs involved one of the two major QTL on porcine chromosomes 7 and 4. In those traits, the Erhualian allele consistently increased the phenotypes for the chromosome 7 QTL but decreased them for the chromosome 4 QTL. Models including carcass weight as covariate detected epistasis in body dimension traits whereas those excluding carcass weight found epistasis in organ weight traits. In addition, the epistasis results suggested that a QTL on chromosome 14 could be important for a number of organ weight traits. Using the high-throughput analysis tool to examine different statistical models was essential for the generation of a complete picture of epistasis in a whole category of traits.

Conducting and Superconducting Salts Based on Some Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Donors

Conducting and superconducting salts based on bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene, ehtylenedithioselenatrithiafulvalene, ethylenedioxyethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalene, and ethylenedioxyvinylenedithiotetrathiafulvalene were prepared and studied.

C6-ceramide synergistically potentiates the anti-tumor effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors via AKT dephosphorylation and α-tubulin hyperacetylation both in vitro and in vivo

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) have shown promising anti-tumor effects for a variety of malignancies, however, many tumors are reportedly resistant to them. In this study, we made a novel discovery that co-administration of HDACIs (Trichostatin A (TSA) and others) and exogenous cell-permeable short-chain ceramide (C6) results in striking increase in cancer cell death and apoptosis in multiple cancer cells. These events are associated with perturbations in diverse cell signaling pathways, including inactivation of Akt/mTOR and increase in α-tubulin acetylation (both in vivo and in vitro). TSA interacts in a highly synergistic manner with C6-ceramide to disrupt HDAC6/protein phosphatase 1 (PP1)/tubulin complex, to induce α-tubulin hyperacetylation, and to release and activate PP1, which then leads to AKT dephosphorylation and eventually causes cancer cell death. Interestingly, TSA itself results in short-term ceramide accumulation, which as a result of metabolic (glycosylation) removal, does not result in evident increase of cancer cell death. However, adding C6-ceramide led to a very pronounced increase in ceramide level and marked increase in cell death. Importantly, the effective synergistic anti-tumor activity of TSA plus C6-ceramide is also seen in in vivo mice xenograft pancreatic and ovarian cancer models, indicating that this regimen (HDACI plus C6-ceramide) may represent a more effective form of therapy against pancreatic and ovarian carcinoma.

Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acid species from the chlorination of algal organic matter and bromide

Bromide and algal pollution are important factors influencing disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation and speciation in reservoir water in coastal areas. In this study, the chlorination of model algal cellular compounds (bovine serum albumin, fish oil and starch), Microcystis aeruginosa and its extra-cellular organic matter (EOM) were conducted in the absence and presence of bromide. The main aim of the present study is to explore their potential as precursors for trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acid (HAAs) speciation upon chlorination in the presence of bromide. The results showed that all brominated THMs species were generated, whereas only bromochloroacetic acid (BCAA) or/and dibromoacetic acid (DBAA) was/were produced as for brominated HAAs (Br-HAAs) from the three model compounds in the presence of bromide. The effect of bromide on Br-HAAs speciation upon fish oil chlorination was more evident than with BSA and starch. There was a good correlation between the species predicted from the model compounds and those obtained from specific algal species. Br-HAAs and Br-THMs species from Microcystis aeruginosa cells or EOM were the same as those from bovine serum albumin in the presence of bromide.