Role of three rab5-like GTPases, Ypt51p, Ypt52p, and Ypt53p, in the endocytic and vacuolar protein sorting pathways of yeast

The small GTPase rab5 has been shown to represent a key regulator in the endocytic pathway of mammalian cells. Using a PCR approach to identify rab5 homologs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two genes encoding proteins with 54 and 52% identity to rab5, YPT51 and YPT53 have been identified. Sequencing of the yeast chromosome XI has revealed a third rab5-like gene, YPT52, whose protein product exhibits a similar identity to rab5 and the other two YPT gene products. In addition to the high degree of identity/homology shared between rab5 and Ypt51p, Ypt52p, and Ypt53p, evidence for functional homology between the mammalian and yeast proteins is provided by phenotypic characterization of single, double, and triple deletion mutants. Endocytic delivery to the vacuole of two markers, lucifer yellow CH (LY) and alpha-factor, was inhibited in delta ypt51 mutants and aggravated in the double ypt51ypt52 and triple ypt51ypt52ypt53 mutants, suggesting a requirement for these small GTPases in endocytic membrane traffic. In addition to these defects, the here described ypt mutants displayed a number of other phenotypes reminiscent of some vacuolar protein sorting (vps) mutants, including a differential delay in growth and vacuolar protein maturation, partial missorting of a soluble vacuolar hydrolase, and alterations in vacuole acidification and morphology. In fact, vps21 represents a mutant allele of YPT51 (Emr, S., personal communication). Altogether, these data suggest that Ypt51p, Ypt52p, and Ypt53p are required for transport in the endocytic pathway and for correct sorting of vacuolar hydrolases suggesting a possible intersection of the endocytic with the vacuolar sorting pathway.

Synthesis of glycerophosphorylated cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans by Rhizobium meliloti ndv mutants

The periplasmic cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans of Rhizobium spp. are believed to provide functions during hypoosmotic adaptation and legume nodulation. In Rhizobium meliloti, cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans are synthesized at highest levels when cells are grown at low osmolarity, and a considerable fraction (> or = 35%) of these glucans may become substituted with phosphoglycerol moieties. Thus far, two chromosomally encoded proteins, NdvA and NdvB, have been shown to function during cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucan biosynthesis; however, the precise roles for these proteins remain unclear. In the present study, we show that R. meliloti mutants lacking up to one-third of the downstream region of ndvB synthesize cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans similar to those produced by wild-type cells with respect to size and phosphoglycerol substituent profile. In contrast, no phosphoglycerol substituents were detected on the cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans synthesized by an R. meliloti ndvA mutant.

Determination of fatty acids in fish oil dietary supplements by capillary chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection

The 4-bromomethyl-7-methoxycoumarin derivatives of 14 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, including the omega-3 fatty acids, were separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and detected by laser-induced fluorescence. Baseline resolution was obtained by using a high-efficiency packed capillary column with 240,000 theoretical plates, together with a systematic optimization of the mobile phase composition. The retention indices of the fatty acid derivatives correlated well with a predictive empirical model, showing accuracy better than 0.46% relative error and reproducibility better than +/- 0.1% relative standard deviation. The physiologically important fatty acids with 12-22 carbon atoms and 0-6 double bonds were determined at the femtomole level in fish oil dietary supplements by using this methodology.

Induction of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 2B1 by dimethyl diphenyl bicarboxylate in rats

Dimethyl diphenyl bicarboxylate (dimethyl-4,4'-dimethyloxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethylene-dioxy-di phe nyl-2,2'- bicarboxylate, DDB), a synthetic mimic of the natural product schizandrin C, is used in China as a hepatoprotective agent to improve the liver functions of patients with hepatitis or under cancer chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated the effects of DDB on liver microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes. When male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with a daily intragastric dose of DDB (200 mg.kg-1) for 3 d, the microsomal pentoxyresorufin dealkylase activity and P-450 2B1 protein levels were markedly increased. The fold increase was lower than that by phenobarbital (75 mg.kg-1, ip once daily x 3 d). The level of P-450 2B1 mRNA was elevated by DDB but the magnitude of the elevation was much less than that caused by phenobarbital. DDB also increased the rates of testosterone hydroxylation at positions 16 beta, 16 alpha, 6 beta, and 2 beta as well as the rate of ethoxyresorufin dealkylation, suggesting moderate increases in the levels of P-450 3A and P-450 1A1 in addition to the huge increase in P-450 2B1. The level of glutathione S-transferase was also slightly increased, but the levels of P-450 2E1 and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase were not changed. The results indicate that DDB is an inducer of P-450 2B1.

Development of a PHC nursing information system in Korea

WHO has established collaborating centres at educational institutions throughout the world to assist with WHO research. In 1988 a WHO Collaborating Centre was inaugurated at Yonsei University College of Nursing in Korea. Since then two important research projects have been completed for establishing a data bank of human resources of nursing for primary health care (PHC) in Korea. Both projects strengthen the PHC nursing information systems in Korea and, as such, are beginning to develop PHC networks throughout Korea, passing on information to an international network system. Below, the rationale behind the two projects, the methodology and the results.

Modulation of the levels of cytochromes P450 in rat liver and lung by dietary lipid

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of dietary lipid on the regulation of several constitutive P450 isozymes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with body weights of 130-140 g were fed either a 20% corn oil (CO) diet or a fat-free (FF) diet for 4 days following 2 days of fasting. Using liver microsomes, the catalytic activities and immunochemically detectable protein levels of P450s 1A1 and 2, 2A1, 2B1 and 2, 2C11, 2E1, and 3A were determined. The microsomes from rats fed the 20% CO diet exhibited 2-fold higher levels in N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase activity and P450 2E1 protein than those from rats fed the FF diet. The CO group also showed 2.5-fold higher levels in 6 beta-hydroxylation of testosterone and P450 3A protein than the FF group. In contrast, the CO diet did not affect the immunodetectable level of P450 2C11 protein and its catalytic activities such as benzphetamine demethylase activity and 2 alpha-hydroxylation of testosterone. P450 1A1 was not detectable in either group, but 1A2 was 2.5-fold higher in the CO group than in the FF group. In the liver, the P450 2B1 level was very low in both groups as measured by pentoxyresorufin dealkylase activity and the protein level, whereas 2B2 was 2.5-fold higher in the CO diet group. In lung microsomes from rats fed different amounts of CO, an inverse relationship was observed between the P450 2B1 level and the dietary CO level. The results suggest that the constitutive levels of P450 isozymes are modulated by dietary lipid in a selective manner; the levels of hepatic P450s 1A2, 2B2, 2E1, and 3A were regulated positively but the level of pulmonary P450 2B1 was suppressed by dietary lipid.

Regulation of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450IIE1 level by dietary lipids and carbohydrates in rats

The present work tests the hypothesis that high fat/low carbohydrate diets elevate the level of liver microsomal cytochrome P450IIE1. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed liquid diets containing varied ratios of corn oil/carbohydrate for 4 d. Rats fed diets with higher fat/carbohydrate ratios produced higher serum acetone levels and higher hepatic microsomal P450IIE1 content and N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase activity than those fed diets with lower fat/carbohydrate ratios. This dietary fat/carbohydrate effect on P450IIE1 also was observed with modified semipurified AIN-76A diets. In addition, both the quantity and the extent of unsaturation of dietary lipids affected P450IIE1 regulation. At moderate fat levels (5 and 20% diet), rats fed corn oil and menhaden oil diets produced higher P450IIE1 activity than those fed lard and olive oil diets. Rats fed a diet containing 20% corn oil or an amount of linoleic acid equivalent to the 20% corn oil diet showed twofold to threefold increases in the level of P450IIE1 over those fed a fat-free diet. Rats fed a 25% corn oil diet showed twofold higher enflurane metabolism in vivo than those fed a 0.5% corn oil diet. The present results suggest that the constitutive P450 enzyme level is regulated by dietary fat/carbohydrate ratios.

Modulation of rat hepatic microsomal monooxygenase enzymes and cytotoxicity by diallyl sulfide

Diallyl sulfide (DAS) and other organosulfur compounds inhibit chemically induced carcinogenic and toxic responses in rodent model systems. A possible mechanism of action is the inhibition of the hepatic cytochrome P450IIE1-dependent bioactivation of the procarcinogens and protoxicants. Previous work showed competitive inhibition by DAS of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) demethylase activity in vitro, and a reduction in the microsomal level of P450IIE1 after in vivo treatment with DAS. The present studies demonstrated a time- and dose-dependent decrease of hepatic microsomal P450IIE1 activity, induction of P450IIB1 and pentoxyresorufin dealkylase activity, and moderate induction of ethoxyresorufin dealkylase activity by oral DAS treatment. DAS treatment elevated P450IIB1 mRNA but had no effect on P450IIE1 mRNA. Treatment with putative metabolites of DAS, diallyl sulfoxide and diallyl sulfone, led to similar modulations in monooxygenase activities, but the decrease of P450IIE1 activity by the sulfone occurred more rapidly. In studies in vitro, diallyl sulfone caused a metabolism-dependent inactivation of P450IIE1, but such inactivation was not observed with DAS or diallyl sulfoxide. The profile of microsomal testosterone metabolism after DAS treatment indicated an enhancement of P450IIB1-dependent 16 beta-hydroxylase activity, and a decrease in 6 beta-hydroxytestosterone production possibly related to a lower level of P450IIIA1 or IIIA2. When rats were subjected to a 48-hr fast and DAS treatment, the starvation-induced microsomal P450IIE1 level was decreased by DAS. Inhibition of hepatotoxicity due to exposure to P450IIE1 substrates, CCl4 and NDMA, by DAS was observed under a variety of treatment schedules.

Roles of cytochrome P450IIE1 in the dealkylation and denitrosation of N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosodiethylamine in rat liver microsomes

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) are widely occurring nitrosamines and require enzyme-catalyzed activation for their carcinogenic actions. The low Km forms of the enzyme are generally considered to be important in the activation of environmental carcinogens. In this work we examined the role of cytochrome P450IIE1--a constitutive enzyme that is also inducible by acetone, ethanol, fasting and other factors--in catalyzing the dealkylation and denitrosation of these two carcinogens. The experimentally determined Km value of NDMA demethylase depended upon the experimental conditions and was lower when lower protein concentrations were used. Low Km values of 15-20 microM were observed for NDMA demethylase with different preparations of microsomes. In the deethylation of NDEA, a low Km of approximately 40 microM was observed for both control and acetone-induced microsomes. Immunoinhibition studies indicated that P450IIE1 was responsible for almost all the low Km NDMA demethylase activity in acetone-induced microsomes and greater than 80% in control microsomes. This enzyme was also responsible for about three-quarters of the low Km NDEA deethylase activity in acetone-induced microsomes and about half in control microsomes. The denitrosation of NDMA and NDEA was inhibited to approximately the same extents as the dealkylation reactions under different experimental conditions, suggesting the involvement of the same enzyme and perhaps a common initial intermediate in these two types of reactions. The relevance of this work and its relationship to related information in the literature are discussed.

Roles of dietary corn oil in the regulation of cytochromes P450 and glutathione S-transferases in rat liver

To study the molecular mechanisms by which dietary lipids affect the levels of cytochrome P450 (P450) isozymes, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either fat-free (FF) or 20% corn oil (CO) diet in combination with one of the following three treatments: no inducer, phenobarbital (PB) and acetone. Dietary CO did not affect the constitutive level of P450IIB (PB-inducible), but it affected the induction of P450IIB by PB treatment. The induction of P450IIB by PB in the CO group as determined by 7-pentoxy-resorufin O-dealkylase activity and immunochemically detected protein level was twofold higher than that in the FF group, and this difference was also reflected in the level of mRNA for this enzyme. In contrast, dietary CO increased the constitutive level of P450IIE (ethanol-inducible) twofold as indicated by N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase activity and immunochemically detectable protein, but it had no effect on the induction of P450IIE by acetone. The induced level of P450IIE by acetone in the CO group did not differ from that in the FF group as measured by the enzyme activity and protein level. It was demonstrated that dietary CO affects P450IIB and IIE activities by altering the concentration of the isozymes rather than by modulating their catalytic activities. In addition, dietary CO increased the microsomal testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase activity but not 7 alpha- and 2 alpha-hydroxylase activities, suggesting an increase in P450IIIA and/or IIC13 but not in IIA1 and IIC11, respectively. Dietary CO also affected the constitutive and induced levels of glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes in a different manner: it increased the constitutive level of GST-B but not that of GST-A. Nevertheless, it was important for the induction of both GST-A and GST-B by PB treatment. The results suggest that lipid nutrition affects xenobiotic metabolism activities by altering constitutive and inducible levels of certain P450 and GST isozymes.

[A study to determine the effectiveness of Severance Hospice Home Care Program]

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Severance Hospice Home Care Program was able to meet its objectives. This was done in order to show in detail the effects of hospice home care on the quality of life of terminally ill patients and to provide rationale for setting up more hospice home care programs in korea. The results of the study were as follows: The subjects of the study were 100 terminally ill patients who had died while in the hospice program and 64 family members who were registered with Severance Hospice Home Care Program between march 1988 and Feb. 1990. The nursing needs of these terminally ill patients were assessed by the nursing records of these patients. The need for pain control (82%) was the highest nursing need so far as the physical aspects were concerned. This was followed by poor appetite (37%), 8 dyspnea (34%), nausea and vomiting (30%) in that order of frequency. In regard to spiritual needs, the need for religious support was also high at 72%. Their main psychological symptoms were anxiety and fear (34%). Burn-out was a major problem for 44% of the family members. The psychological process experienced by the terminal ill patients was compared to the dying process, described by Kübler Ross. In comparison of the five stages outlined by kubler Ross with the dying process of the subjects it was found that the subjects not only experienced the five stages but also experienced denial and doubtfulness or denial with acceptance or acceptance with the expectation of a miracle. But rather than acceptance of the dying process, giving up was a frequent end point of the psychological process, of the subjects. However, when the combination of states was observed, most of the patients reached the state of acceptance in the dying process. It was difficult to identify a definite pattern of change in the psychological process of the subjects. Also it was difficult to identify the factors that influenced the psychological process. The symptoms of the terminally ill subjects just before dying, that is, 3-4 days before dying included apparent signs of dying. These were a reduction of intake (77%), reduction of the amount of urination (63%), increase in sleeping time (64%) and acceptance of dying by patients and their families who had been unaccepting before that time (66%). The primary care givers (family member's) degree of satisfaction with the care given to the patient by the hospice was 88.7%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of thiamine deficiency on hepatic cytochromes P450 and drug-metabolizing enzyme activities

To elucidate the mechanisms by which thiamine deficiency affects hepatic microsomal monooxygenase activities, the effect of thiamine deficiency on two constitutive cytochrome P450 isozymes, P450IIE1 and P450IIC11, was investigated, using weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats. The clinical signs of thiamine deficiency were apparent after feeding a thiamine-deficient diet for 3 weeks. Thiamine deficiency caused an increase in P450IIE1, which was determined by N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase assay and immunoquantitation of P450IIE1. This increase in the P450IIE1 level was mainly attributed to thiamine deficiency per se but not to dietary restriction. Ketone bodies were not elevated in thiamine-deficient rats, whereas ketone bodies were elevated and may have served as inducing factors in calorically restricted pair-fed animals. Injections of pyruvate or pyrithiamine in addition to thiamine deficiency did not potentiate the induction effect. On the other hand, thiamine deficiency did not affect the level of P450IIC11 during the 3 weeks of feeding the thiamine-deficient diet. In addition, thiamine deficiency increased cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity but not steroid isomerase activity. The present study demonstrates the specificity of thiamine deficiency per se in the induction of P450IIE1 which does not involve an increase in the ketone body level.

[The effect of crisis intervention by the visiting nurse with cancer patients]

This study was undertaken at Yonsei University Medical Center to identify the crisis responses and nursing problems of patients who had been diagnosed with cancer, and changing patterns of grieving over time periods, and to analyse the effectiveness of follow up care through home visiting nursing. This study was carried out in three stages. The 1st study data were collected from a total of 205 patients who had been diagnosed with cancer from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 1987 using a cross-sectional method. The 2nd study data were collected three times from 30 patients with cancer at 4 weeks intervals from March 1 to June 31, 1988 using a longitudinal method. The 3rd study data were collected from two different groups from March 1 to June 31, 1988. One was an experimental group who was visited by nurses and the other one was a control group not visited by nurses. The subjects of the 3rd study consisted of 60 patients with cancer and a Quasi-experimental research design was used. The results were as follows: 1. The patients did not experience one stage at a time among the five stages of grieving, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance, as identified by Kübler Ross. They experienced a combination of stages, especially of the bargaining and the depression stages. This stages did not change with the passing of time. 2. The patients expressed more physical and socioeconomical problems than emotional problems. And they used more problem coping methods than emotional coping methods. 3. Follow up care through home visiting nursing positively influenced the patient's quality of life, especially their physical well-being and symptom control. The patients responded positively to the home visiting nursing, stating that it was helpful to them. It was concluded that the development of a home visiting nursing program is needed for the effective home care of patients with cancer.

Metabolism of N-nitrosodialkylamines by human liver microsomes

The metabolism of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosobenzylmethylamine, and N-nitrosobutylmethylamine was investigated in incubations with human liver microsomes. All of the 16 microsomal samples studied were able to oxidize NDMA to both formaldehyde and nitrite at NDMA concentrations as low as 0.2 mM; the rates of product formation of the samples ranged from 0.18 to 2.99 nmol formaldehyde/min/mg microsomal protein (median, 0.53 nmol). At a concentration of 0.2 mM NDMA, the rates of denitrosation (nitrite formation) were 5 to 10% (median, 6.3%) those of demethylation (formaldehyde formation); the ratio of denitrosation to demethylation increased with increases in NDMA concentration, in a similar manner to rat liver microsomes. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies prepared against rat P-450ac (an acetone-inducible form of cytochrome P-450) indicated that the P-450ac [P-450j (isoniazid-inducible form)] orthologue in human liver microsomes had a slightly higher molecular weight than rat P-450ac and the amounts of P-450ac orthologue in human liver microsomes were highly correlated with NDMA demethylase activities (r = 0.971; P less than 0.001). Analysis of four selected microsomal samples showed that human liver microsomes exhibited at least three apparent Km and corresponding Vmax values for NDMA demethylase. This result, suggesting the metabolism of NDMA by different P-450 enzymes, is similar to that obtained with rat liver microsomes, even though most of the human samples had lower activities than did the rat liver microsomes. The high affinity Km values of the four human samples ranged from 27 to 48 microM (median, 35 microM), which were similar to or slightly lower than those observed in rat liver microsomes, indicating that human liver microsomes are as efficient as rat liver microsomes in the metabolism of NDMA. The human liver microsomes also catalyzed the dealkylation and denitrosation of other nitrosamines examined. The rates of product formation and the ratios of denitrosation to dealkylation varied with the structures and concentrations of the substrates as well as with the microsomal samples tested. The results indicate that human liver microsomes are capable of metabolizing N-nitrosodialkylamines via the pathways that have been established with rat liver microsomes.

Nature of N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase and its inhibitors

The present study was undertaken to examine the nature of the low Km (KmI) form of rat liver microsomal N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (NDMAd) and its inhibition by organic compounds which are commonly present in the assay mixture. Using radiometric and colorimetric assay methods with an NADPH-generating system consisting of 0.4 mM NADP, 10 mM glucose-6-phosphate, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (0.4 units/ml), Km values of 40-50 microM were obtained. These Km values were lower than the values of 60-80 microM reported previously. This decrease was due to the elimination of inhibitors such as glycerol in the assay mixture. Glycerol was a competitive inhibitor, and this observation explained in part why purified P-450ac (acetone-inducible form of P-450), displayed a higher Km value in a reconstituted NDMAd system, which contained glycerol, than in microsomes. Semi-carbazide which had been used in many previous assays of NDMAd was also found to be a competitive inhibitor of this enzyme. Other inhibitors studied include the commonly used solvents dimethylsulfoxide, acetone, ethylene glycol, dimethylformamide, ethyl acetate, benzene, and hexane as well as thiol compounds dithiothreitol and mercaptoethanol. Although very low Km values (10-20 microM) for N-nitrosodimethylamine metabolism were reported in studies with perfused liver, liver slices, and isolated liver cells, we believe that the KmI form of liver NDMAd is responsible for the metabolism and activation of N-nitrosodimethylamine in the rat liver.

Metabolism and activation of N-nitrosodimethylamine by hamster and rat microsomes: comparative study with weanling and adult animals

It has been reported that hamster liver preparations are more effective for the metabolic activation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) to a mutagen than rat liver preparations. The enzymatic basis for this phenomenon, however, has not been clearly elucidated. The present study was undertaken to examine the enzymology of NDMA metabolism by different hepatic subcellular fractions prepared from hamsters and rats of two different ages, and to investigate the correlation between the metabolism and the activation of NDMA to a mutagen for Chinese hamster V79 cells. The content of cytochrome P-450 was approximately 1.5-fold higher in hamster microsomes than in rat microsomes from both ages (1.19-1.38 versus 0.73-0.83 nmol P-450/mg protein). Weanling hamster microsomes exhibited multiple apparent Km values for NDMA metabolism as did weanling rat microsomes. The apparent Km I value of NDMA demethylase (NDMAd) in hamster microsomes was about one-half that in rat microsomes (36 versus 83 microM) with corresponding Vmax values of 2.09 and 2.57 nmol/min/nmol P-450. The Km I values for denitrosation did not differ from the corresponding values for NDMAd with Vmax values of 0.17 and 0.22 nmol/min/nmol P-450 for hamster and rat microsomes, respectively. These apparent Km values were affected neither by sonication nor by the presence of cytosolic proteins in S9 fractions. Adult rat liver microsomes showed less than one-half the NDMAd activity in weanling rat liver microsomes, whereas such age difference was not observed in hamster liver microsomes. This result was confirmed by Western blotting showing the levels of P-450ac (an acetone-inducible form of P-450) of these microsomes at comparable levels to their NDMAd activities. NDMAd was highly correlated to the metabolic activation of NDMA to a mutagen for V79 cells in an activation system mediated by microsomes prepared from hamsters and rats of different ages. The results from this study clearly demonstrate the enzymatic basis for the more effective metabolism of NDMA in adult hamsters than in adult rats.

High-density lipoproteins decrease both DNA binding and mutagenicity of r-7,t-8-dihydroxy-t-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene in V79 Chinese hamster cells

The effects of separate lipoproteins or of serum with high or low lipoprotein concentrations on formation of lipophilic carcinogen adducts with DNA and on mutagenicity of the carcinogen was investigated using V79 Chinese hamster lung cells. Binding of r-7,t-8-dihydroxy-t-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE) to DNA and BPDE induction of 6-thioguanine (6-TG)-resistant mutants in V79 cells was significantly lower after 1 or 4 h when the medium was supplemented with purified HDL, and was lower after 1 h but not 4 h when the medium was supplemented with serum containing a high concentration of mixed lipoproteins (LP). Cells grown in medium without serum or LP supplementation exhibited the highest levels of both BPDE-DNA adduct formation and mutagenesis after 1 h. At 1 h, cells exposed to BPDE in LDL-supplemented medium showed decreased adduct formation and mutagenesis when compared to cells treated with BPDE in PBS-supplemented medium. After 4 h, cells treated with BPDE in LDL-supplemented medium gave the highest levels of adduct formation and the highest mutation frequency. These results suggest that both LDL and HDL effectively decrease the concentration of BPDE available to V79 cells exposed to the mutagen for short periods of time, resulting in decreased interaction of BPDE with DNA and decreased BPDE-associated mutagenesis, but that both BPDE-DNA adduct formation and mutagenesis increased as a function of increased exposure time in the presence of LDL. The results suggest that LDL, but not HDL, uptake by adsorptive endocytosis may be associated with potentiated entry of BPDE into V79 cells as a function of time.

Enzyme specificity in the metabolic activation of N-nitrosodimethylamine to a mutagen for Chinese hamster V79 cells

In order to elucidate the mechanism of the metabolic activation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), the relationship between NDMA demethylase (NDMAd) and NDMA mutagenicity in Chinese hamster V79 cells was investigated. The microsome-mediated activation system produced NDMA mutagenicity similar to the S9-mediated activation system, suggesting that microsomes are solely responsible for the activation process. Pretreatment of rats with ethanol- or acetone-induced microsomal NDMAd activity, and such treatment also enhanced microsome-mediated NDMA mutagenicity 6-7-fold. The patterns of NDMA activation by ethanol- and acetone-induced microsomes differed distinctly from that by phenobarbital-induced microsomes for both NDMAd and the mutagenicity. The former type of microsomes had a low Km for NDMA, but the latter appeared to have very high Km values, and NDMAd was highly positively related to NDMA mutagenicity. Purified cytochrome P-450 isozymes from acetone- and phenobarbital-induced microsomes, P-450ac and P-450b, respectively, were effective for the activation of NDMA to a mutagen in a reconstituted monooxygenase system. In parallel fashion to NDMAd activity, P-450ac was effective at low substrate concentrations, whereas P-450b exhibited appreciable activity only at high NDMA concentrations. The results demonstrate clearly that NDMAd, which is effectively catalyzed by a specific P-450 isozyme inducible by compounds such as ethanol, acetone, and isopropanol, is primarily responsible for the activation of NDMA to a mutagen.

Polychlorinated biphenyl uptake and transport by lymph and plasma components

The uptake and vascular transport of ingested Aroclor 1242, an isomeric mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), was investigated in experimental animals. High concentrations of ingested PCB were found in the chylomicron fraction of thoracic duct lymph. When the lymph flow was exteriorized PCB were not subsequently found in the vascular circulation. When lymph was not exteriorized plasma PCB concentrations reached maximal levels 6 hr after ingestion. Less than 1% of total plasma PCB was detected in cellular fractions of blood over a 10-hr period following ingestion. Chylomicrons contained 31% of total plasma PCB 30 min after ingestion, decreasing to less than 6% at 4 hr. A maximum of 10% of plasma PCB at 1 hr, and less than 5% at 6 hr, after ingestion was associated with very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) or low density lipoproteins (LDL). Although PCB enter the vascular circulation with the chylomicron fractions of lymph, delipoproteinated plasma contained 52% of the total PCB in blood collected 30 min after ingestion. This level increased to 78% after 2 hr, and remained constant at about 80% for an additional 8-hr period. High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) examinations of delipoproteinated plasma from blood taken 6 hr after PCB ingestion showed elution of greater than 95% of plasma PCB to coincide with the albumin peak. Electrophoretic examinations of delipoproteinated plasma showed the association of PCB with albumin to be noncovalent. The results suggest that apolar PCB are absorbed into intestinal epithelial cells from which they are secreted into the lymphatic drainage sequestered within the apolar core of chylomicrons, that these PCB transit the thoracic duct and enter the vascular circulation within chylomicrons and are metabolized or otherwise released from chylomicrons during hepatic chylomicron clearance, and that resulting PCB or PCB derivatives circulate in association with plasma albumins.

Benzo[a]pyrene uptake by serum lipids: correlation with triglyceride concentration

An in vitro study of the relationship between benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) association with serum lipoproteins (LP) and LP composition was conducted using human subjects. BaP partitioning into different serum LP ranged from 53 to 71% of available BaP. Efficiency of BaP partitioning was examined for the relationship with lipid components of different sera. The data indicate that triglyceride (TG) concentrations were more directly correlated with BaP uptake than were concentrations of other LP components. Adjusting sera to a uniform TG concentration (96.5 mg/dl) resulted in the same BaP uptake for each serum type, while adjusting sera to contain a uniform cholesteryl ester concentration (104.6 mg/dl) did not result in similar BaP uptake among serum types. Analysis of serum LP composition suggested that marked differences in both BaP uptake and serum TG concentrations among the subjects were due mainly to differences in serum very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations. A correlation study using 14 human subjects showed that serum TG concentration was the best predictor (r = 0.973, P less than 0.001) for BaP uptake by serum, followed by phospholipid (r = 0.658, P less than 0.01) and total cholesterol (r = 0.514, P less than 0.05) concentrations. The results indicate that serum TG concentration (typically VLDL-TG) may be the primary factor affecting BaP uptake by serum LP, and suggest that a small change in serum TG concentration could cause a significant increase in BaP uptake by serum LP, contributing to an increased level of circulating carcinogen.